Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-12
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
|NDORSED BY BRYAN
|NPUBL|C MESSAGE
Has Imperfections, but Is
Long Step in Right
Direction.
IDEA BASED ON ARBITRATION
TREATIES BY UNITED STATES
Thinks America Should Have
Larger Voice Than Tentative
Constitution Gives.
POINTS TO MONROE DOCTRINE
Would Have This Ideal Moro Firmly
Upheld, but Desires Agree
mcnt Accepted Anyway.
IDEA BASED ON ARBITRATION
TREATIES BY UNITED STATES
POINTS TO MONROE DOCTRINE
rBy Associated Press

fBv Associated Pressl
WASHINGTON, March II--Wi!lia! IN
Jennings Bryan issued 4 statement
mere tonight indorsing the league o.
nations. bu. suggesting amendments
10 the proposed legislation. which
among others. would preserve spcci-
dcaliy the Monroe Doctrine, enlarge
INC proportlona,e voting power OF the
United States and make IL clear tina;
zach member nation might decide for
itSef whether 1t would support de-
csees OF the leagues general council.
While pointing 10 .mpcrfcctions Mr.
Bryan urged they should not he al
lowed to lead 10 rejection OF the plan.
declaring risks 20 be run in accept
ing the league were less than those In
vol"ed In rejection and returning TO
the. old ways OF blood and slaughter"
Mr.. Bryan dictated the statement
from his sick bed at the home OF
friends, where he has been confined
ior nearly three weeks. lie said the
!chsuc OF nations idea, the creates,
step toward peace in a thousand years"
was taken from the thirty arbitration
treaties negotiated by tho United States
while he was Secretary OF State. II
was not 20 be expected, he said that
80 great an idea would DC made per-
rect in SO short "a time. and added
while President Wilson had done the
ocst he could he would be helped by
intelligent and friendly criticism from
the American public
TENT OF MR. nRYAN'S
STATEMENT on LEAGUE
The statement follows:
The league OF nations is the great
est step toward peace in thousand
years. The idea Of substituting reason
Tor force in the settlement OF interna-
tionai disputes in IN itself an epoch:
the league as announced provides for
three things which constitute In them
selves an advantage.sthe iynpottsnce OF
.'Deiiberation before war-the in
vest!gat,on OF all disputes OF their
sind and character before hostiiities
idea is taken from the thirty treaties
negotiated by the United States with
three-quarters OF the world. Our ma
tion. therefore. gives TO tho peace
league it's greatest piece of ;nachn-
cry,
Second. the reduction OF armaments
will mako It impossible for a nation
20 prepare for war without notifying
The world of it's intention.
Third; the abolition OF secret trea
tee. which will do much TO preven,
INC combinations which lead 20 war
IL the league OF nations did nothing
moro than provide these three things
our nation would be justified in sup
porting /; 10 the utmost.
DETAIL CANNOT RE PERFECT
IN so SHORT 4 TIME
TT Is NOT 10 be expected that so
great an idea as tho league OF nations
would be made perfect In detail in SO
should bc corrected, and the fullest
discussion OF proposed amendments
should be invited
The. newspapers of Grea; Britain,
France and Italy arc not backward in
the expression OF their views as 10
chanSos that should he made.
Why should the American people
ours is the nation mos, influential
IN the league. and most powerful he
cause mos; disintercstcd Its people
should hclp by free and frank discus
sion to perfec. tho league The Pres-
den, has done the best he could, but
nc will be aided by Intelligent criti-
cisr from those friendly 20 the idea
amendments that should, in my juds-
stronger and better league.
First, the basis of representation is
not fair 10 the United States.
"A comparison, OF voting strength
most powerful in the combination
whether measured by population.
wealth or moral influence, i; has no
larger vote than nations which arc in
ferior in population. wealth and in
Huence. This inequality ought. If pos
sihe TO he corrected. for justice is the
tion can rest in permanent security
TERMS OF ADMISSION ARE
NOT FAIR TO NATION
second. the terms of admission TO
nations that may desire to join here
suggests the social club. where few
b,ackballs may keep out an uncon-
genial applicant.
This world league is for the world
rho President has well said our ma
ton is not interested in league un-
less all nations are in it. The quail
ifications for admission ought to be
fixed. and then it ought 10 be made
as easy as possible for those who are
qualified TO gain admission. Under
no circumstances should the consent
of more than majority be required
for the admission Of any qualified ma
ton.
The faults of the constitution are
found to be in its indefiniteness rather
than in things positively objectionable.
For instance. it is not stated with
sufficient elearness the Monroe Doc
trine is preserved. Our. nation is not
asking to be permitted to assist in
the settlement OF European disputes.
and therefore it ought not be asked
10 give up its paramount influence in
the Western hemisphere as a condition
precedent to it's entry into the league.
NATIONS SHOULD BIZ
ALLOWED MORE LIBERTY
Then, too. 1t is not stated with suf-
ticient clearness a league member is
IT ought to be definitely stated a ma :
tion asked to become mandatory is
at liberty to accept or decline. Again.
not to Interfere in the internal affairs
OF the nations belonging TO The league
The league Is for the settlement OF
international disputes, not for the ad-
justmcnt OF differences between ma.
ton and its own people
Another matter that should be mad {
clear--and nothing can be more i'm.
. Continued on Second PageD