Evening journal., 1919-04-09
kIELDS And WARD
DEBATE League
Speakers Differed on
Question OF Redrafting
Proposed Constitution
DISCUSSION BEFORE
SERVICE CLUB

Before the Social Service Club last
night John p. Niclds and C. L. Ward,
both well known attorneys debated
the proposed constitution for a league
Of nations. Mr.. Nields favored the re-
drafting and thorough revision Of the
constitution as il is presented to the
public, and Mr.. Ward spoke for IFS carly
passage. Thirty-nve members were pres
ent, but no vote was taken. Clifford J.
Scott, president Of the club, was chair
man OF the meeting.
The debaters and members Of tho
club who spoke all favored a league TO
enforce peace, but opinions differed
upon the question Of the rcdraftlng Of
the constitution that has been propos-
ed. Several expressed convictions that
The Monroe Doctrine guarantees suill-
GENTLY against external aggression in
this country and said section ten Of the
proposed act was unnecessary.
Mr.. Nields, who was the first speak
er, said in part:
Assuming that most falr-minded
men favor the continued cO-opcgation Of
our government and the Allies, / stand
for a league Of nations TO enforce the
Paris peace treaty and TO enforce peace
hereafter. The present chaos in Europe
demands it. / believe NJ direct confer
farence and consultation in all interna-
tional affairs. But / oppose any league
Of nations that will impair our safety
and independence. l favor the pro
posed league, il 10 is redrafted and
thoroughly amended. The origin and
history Of the proposed constitution
and the discussions by which It was
moulded are in no way decisive TO its
merits.
There is no occasion for the hasty
acceptance Of the proposed constitu-
tion. The great boon TO mankind Of
"a league, is TO prevent haste and
compel conference and discussion.
The constitution creating a league.
therefore. should be fully understood
and discussed by the people and their.
representatives.
"The League Of Nations has four stall
wart friends and champions in Mr..
Taft President Lowell, Mr.. Hughes and
Mr.. Root 70 is fair 20 say that their
criticism is constructive and intended toI
help the work Of the conference. Never
fundamental. 70 contemplates the re-
drafting Of the constitution, the addition
of certain new obligations and the dell
milton limitation and restriction OF Ger
tain other obligations of the covenant
Nv sole object is 10 emphasize the lll-
portance Of this criticism.
..Tho constitution provides no appr0-
rriata machinery for settling non-po-
iitical dispufcs. It makes the fatal mis-
taEe Of giving jurisdiction over non
nolitical disputes to a political boay 70
ha determined as matters OF eXpedlency'
rrbe executive council has jurisdiction
over .anv matter within the sphere oi
fbe League or affecting the peace OF the
world Il sits in judgment ana makes
,,sconncudations. The e1ect OF TINS
Jurisdiction and the provisions OF Ar
ficle p is TO abrogate the 10 arDiiralloh
treaties now i'm existence.
"Tbe Monroe Doctrine should pc
preserved. It is a statement OF plaih
Facts inherent in geography ana hullsn
,,,t,,re This. country was relatNely
safo with independent Latin repuDIics
in Canral and South America. IL Was
80 eofe with aggressive European OF
Asiatic mowers there. This IS as true
,odav as in 1923. This country is far
ssSer ,s. with Japan across the Pacin than
in Lower California. To say that .3.. nlou- ho..
ern transport has -annihilated the ,, bar
,ier ~ tbe pacific is not true. The Mon
roe policy shuts out the danger ot o, con con
tact as well as Of conquest. IL pre-
vented south America from sharing lle
lot Of Africa as spoil for rival Euro
pean ambitions