Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-03-01
Knox Assails Nations League
And Proposes Organization
Which Would ttSaue COui1try''

proportionately advanced the cause
Of human liberty and happiness.
: Senator Knox criticized the pro-
posed constitution of the league of
which he said characterized it
throughout and because it appeared
to set up two operating entities for
it's enforcement, the high contract
ing parties and the league itself. In
this connection Senator Knox said the
importance -of this became apparent
when 1t was observed that "the high
contracting parties" did not comprise
every member state in. the league and
by the high contracting parties. who
ever they may be, possibly the big
FIVE is crushing in its weight"
The senator warned especially
against leaving the central powers
out Of the league, saying the in
evttable result would be ITO drive
them more closely together for mu-
tual self protection. thus making the
formation of second league of ma
tions binding for adherence from
neutral states almost a certainty"
Thus at no distant date" he con-
tinued, I'VE should have two great
leagues Of nations and two great
camps each preparing for a new and
greater life and death struggle
Even the term league of nations
Is q deceptive misnomer.' Senator
Knox declared, "for under this pro-
posed plan the nations Of the world
are divided into three classes
/ .SFtrst-Signatories of the covenant;
these are not named. but it is as
sumed they will include and possibly
be confined to the five great Entente
Powers, that is to say, the British
empire, France, Italy, Japan and the
United: States.
"Second-States not signatory but
named in the protocol. No informa-
are, though surely they will include
such Entente powers, il any. as are
not signatories as we'll as certain
other states neutral in the conflict
now closing;' and,
'Third-Those states which are
neither signatories nor protocol states
and which must. to be- admitted to
tain effective guarantees as to their
intention to be bound by their inter-
national obligations. These latter are
outcast nations and presumably in.
clude the Central Powers and their
allies in the war.
Thus league Of nations in the
sense of all the nations is not created
ny lAlS OOCunent, nor are the states
members of the league treated as
equals.
1.-THE term league is a misnomer in
another and really vital matter. Fol
league connotes a confederation
and q federation implies right In
the several parties to withdraw a,
their will. But there is no right Of
succession within the four corners
of this covenant. On the other hand
the association here provided for il
a union in the full sense Of that tern
as applied to our own political institu.
tions. Once in this union and we re-
main there no matter how onerous it.
gigantic burdens may become. NJ
matter HOW great the distaste and re-
i vulsion our people may have for it
we must remain members until either
1--we persuade all the other states rep
resented in the executive council ant
! three -fourths Of those represented ii
the body.;o of deleaates to bid us de
'fpAft iH peace Of ufirf9 the 1eag1i,
crumbles Of its own weight or is de
stroyed by its enemies. or until ",
1 fight our way out against the Brit
ish empire, France. Italy. Japan aant
Il