New-York tribune., 1919-06-22

vised US to keep out of the quarrels
OF Europe and to keep the quarrels of
Europe out of America. 1t is by fol-
lowing this wise policy that the
United States has attained position
. OF unity and of disinterestedness
"nlch enables her to promote peace
mlgntlly because she is not a party
10 the quarrels that threaten to dis
tCro peace. She is free from sus-
plclon; she is not the object of kat
RED or Iistrust: her friendship is
valued, and her word is potent. We
can be of infinitely more value to the
peace of the world by keeping out of
an the petty Ind selfish quarrels that
arse, than we can by binding our
selves to take part in them. Just so
Tar as 1T is necessary to modify this
settied historic American policy in
oTder to put into effect a practical
plan for league of nations to pre-
serve peace we ought to go, and we
ought not to go one step further. The
step proposed by Article X is not
necessary Tor such plan, and we
ought not to take it.
AS to the state of understanding
aDout American questions contained
IN the foregoing paragraph num-
Dered 8, the most ardent advocates
for accepting the league covenant ex-
actiy as 1T stands insist that the pro-
VISIONS already inserted about the
Monfoe Doctrine and other purely
american questions mean just what
Inls proposed resolution says. If that
De true, then nobody can object to
the resolution which puts the mean
ing beyond question. 1t is important
not only fer the interest of America
but for the peace of the world that
such provisions should be free from
doubt and occasion for dispute. If,
on the other hand, their view is
wrong, and the provisions already in
serted may be construed not to mean
what the resolution says, then the
resolution certainly ought to be in
cluded IN the consent to the ratiti
cation.
Isolation of United States Emphasized
There is one other thing to be
mentioned; that is the recital of the
proposed resolution (number 81, dis
GAINING any intention by the
United States to intrude upon or
interfere with the political policy
or international administration of
any foreign state. I think that to be
OF real Importance because l per-
celve evidences Of an impression in
Europe that the part taken by the
representatives. of the United States
at Paris in the local questions and
controversies of Europe indicates an
abandonment by the United States of
her traditional policy and a wish on
her part to dictate to Euronean
states and control European affairs.
thus assuming rcsponsibility for
those affairs.
mat impression should be dissi-
pated. 1t is not we'll founded. am
sure that the people, of the United
States have no such intention or
wish. Such interposition in the af-
fairs of Europe as our representa-
tives have been engaged in was
properly but a temporary incident
to the fact that we had engaged in
the war, and had, therefore, to dis
cuss the terms of peace; and we
should make it clear that we neither
assume responsibility for nor intend
interference in the affairs of Europe
beyond that necessary participation
under the organization of the league
OF peace which we enter upon by
the request of the European nations
themselves.
Strengthening Treaty Suggested
10 return to the subject of arbi
tratlon and the development of inter
national law l certainly should not
advise regarding the league covenant
IN its present form as the final word
upon an organization for the preser-
walton of the peace of the world. I
think that when the Senate consents
to the ratification of the treaty with
some such reservations as I have
indicated, it ought also to adopt
separate resolution not part of
the action upon the treaty, but prac-
tically at the same time, formally
requesting the President without
any unavoidable delay to open nego-
tiations with the other Powers for
the establishment and strengthen
ing of system of arbitration for
the disposition of international dis
putes upon questions of right, and
for periodical meetings of represent
atives of all the Powers for the re-
vision and development of inter-
national law
II think that hereafter, when the
life of Europe has become settled.
when credit and industry are re-
established there and governments
are stable and secure, and we know
what reduction Of armaments the
powers are going to consent to, the
United States should insist upon a
revision of the league covenant.
am sure that the changed circum-
stances will then permit material
Improvement
Faithfully yours,
"EL1HU ROOT