The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-18

the people that the covenant was to
mako future war impossible; i have
shown how Il strikes down our great
constitutional principles, bulwarks of
our protection; how It robs us of most
vital attributes OF sovereignty and
threatens our Independence and life.
''Sinoe then the covenant has under
gone q reconsideration and q redraft-
ing, and thus refurnished Il Is again
presented semi-officially to the people
Of the United States for their considera-
ton. Once more I have carefully ex-
amined the covenant in its new form,
but only to ind that instead OF having
my previously expressed doubts re-
moved. those already entertained are
much augmented and others not hereto
| fore held areN raised.
But it seems not necessary now TO
take the time Of tho Senate to discuss
these matters in their detail. for 1t Is
my sole present purpose to do no more
than support my contention that the
treaty is overlooking with matters
which demand q consideration that shall
be full, calm and free from passion and
that shall be characterized by a spirit
Of deep and unselflsh devotion to ones
country.
II now ask for time. sir. merely to
consider whether or not under the cove
nant as drawn. the power to put US at
war will still rest with US or be placed
| in a body outside our own Government,
| and, IL placed outside, whether or not
! such lodging Of this sovereign power Is
| desirable?
II now ask only for time to deliber-
ate whether or not we shall put It be-
yond our power to increase tho size of
our army or our navy in times of dire
|
wish or desires of other countries. some
OF whom may not be wholly disinter-
ested In the conclusion they reach.
Breathing Space Sought.
Il ask simply that we be given a
| breathing pause after we finish GU.
battles before we obligate ourselves to
| maintain for all time the territorial
str tus quo which is to be set up by
, this treaty, time to know whether We
arc prepared to say there never can be
such a change In circumstance or con-
dition, such change of sympathy and
| OF ideal as would make improper this
/ partitioning of the world to which 1t l.
proposed we shall now become a party
| and a sponsor, and as to which we shall
| be guarantor
And in this connection let me OBJ
| serve that my friend the Senator from
as lawyer and wisdom as a statesman
l have the most profound regard. like
Jove occasionally mods and Is not fortu-
| nate in his defence of tho tenth article
| OF the covenant in citing the United
| states as guarantor OF the Independence
Of Panama. That guarantee was intend
| ed TO protect the Panama Canal and wa
intended, as the Senator SO we'll said TO
, give notice that we would 20 TO war
nit ~
duce the Republic through whose conces-
1 sion We built the Panama Canal
1t is far cry from this covenant
/ to protect our own interests and from
| the like treaty OF 1876 with New Gran
! ada, TO the proposition embodied in-the
tenth article OF the covenant, wherein
we are asked to guarantee The integrity
OF the newly swollen British Empire, the
enlarged territories of France and Italy,
I the acquisitions OF Japan and the newly
created states of Europe in which We
have no interest.
From the time when the sweep Of
Balboa's vision from a peak In Darien
| comprehended the waters OF the Atlantic
and Pacific. the construction Of a canal
to join those mighty oceans has been
the ambition of various nations. 1t was
decreed that we should accomplish the
feat and in all our treaties contemplating
|
that it's immediate environment should
not be vexed by war.
Il ask further for time to deliberate
| whether It Is wisdom for US and for the
| world that we shall enter into n super
state where, Notwithstanding we are the
| most powerful nation in the world, with
the most advanced and enlightened Gov
| eminent, We nevertheless shall become
subject to the control OF a body, a good
% IL
representatives OF Imperial Governments
and Kings who have dynastic and other
| interests to serve alien TO us. and with a
| further number who are representatives
| Of nations that are inevitably under the
domination and control of these autoc-
| -acies
Il ask for time to bring 10 bear any
power OF prescience which we possess
upon the question OF whether or not we
| wish to submit to the control and dom
ination of the league bodies questions
involving our own purely Internal af-
fairs; for while under the covenant as
! originally drawn It was open to argu-
ment that such matters were excluded
from the purview OF the league bodies,
yet / submit there can be now little
doubt that under the treaty as redrafted
sudl matters are not only not with
drawn from the jurisdiction OF the lea que
but are actually and positively placed
within the scope of its activities.
Action by Council.
Moreover. inasmuch rs this is a point
which l have not heretofore discussed
because not n direct issue under the
covenant as first drawn. I may be par
doned II l. take sufficient time TO indi-
cate the grounds on which my request Is
based.
ut is provided in Article XIV Of the new
covenant that IL the dispute between the
parties is claimed by one OF them. and is
found by the council TO arise out of q
matter which by international law is sole
ly within the domestic Jurisdiction OF tina I
party. the council shall so report, and
shall make no recommendation as TO its
settlement.
The council may in any case under
this article refer the dispute to the as
sembly'
Now 1t seems clear from this
that the council has the power and the
Jurisdiction to determine that any dis
pute brought before it does not arise
out of matter which by International
law is solely within the domestic jurs-
diction OF that party and having so
determined the council may proceed 10
pass upon the dispute. no matter what
the dispute may be. nor how vital its
issue to the party raising 1t. Moreover,
| IL the council wishes to refrain from
passing upon this question as to the do
nestle or other character of the dispute.
/ NAV rafaH thu xphnI. at,l,ia,t