Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-02-26
OBJECTIONS TO THE LEAGUE

LAG wv eSs'oA " Lie AOAH PAdu ~ d
Of nations most frequently heard are based on the as
States, if it enters. will sacrifice some OF its independence
of action, and that the plan will destroy the Monroe doc
trine, which has been the accepted policy Of this nation
for a century.
In reply to the first the assumption must be admitted.
If the United States joins the league Of nations as now
planned, it must forego a certain measure of indepen-
dence which it now enjoys. On that point there is no
question. And this will be true Of any league Of nations
which can be formed. If we join it we will be less inde-
pendent than we are today. But that will be equally true
of every other nation. If any person can devise a league
Of nations to which members can belong and at the same
time retain the right to go each his own way regardless OF
the Others, it would be interesting to have some sugges-
ton made as to the character Of such a league. Up to the
present time no intimation has been given as to the man.
ner in whichfsuch a wonder can be accomplished. T
The very purpose of a league, tn, cardinal principle
upon which the idea rests is that the separate rights OF
all the nations shall be limited. and that in matters at
fectinE the general welfare there shall be substituted for
the present system Of Independent responsibility a sys-
tenn in which the considered opinions Of the world shall
govern. Hence those who object to any league plan on
the ground that IL we accept it We will surrender a certain
measure Of our independence are thereby declaring them.
for the more orderly government Of the world. and for the
(PSA w. A"O 01S oJSSSAA VI ASSOA AAVCDVA-
dence and responsibility which has been productive OF
such cruelties and horrors.
Membership in an effective league presupposes the
surrender of a portion of our independence, Of our SOW.
srsisnty, II that term is preferred, just as membership in
the American federal union involved the surrender of a
portion Of its independence by each Of the thirteen colo.
mics. and just as citizenship in the nation, and obedience
to its laws, involves the curtailment Of certain rights OF
Independent action on the part of the individual citizen
AS to the Monroe doctrine. what is it? 1t is a decla.
ration by the United States government that it will oppose
the extension of the sovereignty of any European govern.
ment over any part of the western hemisphere. The plan
which is now under discussion amounts, as MI. Taft has
said. to an extension of the principle involved in the Mon.
roe doctrine to the entire world rather than to its de-
struction as applied to this continent.
The principle behind the Monroe doctrine is simply
that the nations in the two Americas shall have their
own rights of self government respected. The proposed
league constitution asserts the same principle Of self gov
eminent throughout the world. No nation can join the
league without accepting in full the principle which the
United States has declared it would defend on this CONT
|nent. and without declaring its willingness to extend that
principle to every continent and every nation
These things are 80 plain that it seems impossible
to suppose that men Of ordinary intelligence do not un-
derstand them. Hence it becomes difficult to give credit
for sincerity to those who advance these things as reasons
why = particular league plan should not be adopted, and
yet who profess themselves to be in favor of the general
principle of a world league.
We believe that the American people and all the civ.
iised peoples of the world are looking earnestly and long.
.ingly for the completion of a great world league which
will exercise = supervisory authority over many Of the
which in the past have been left to the individual
nations; that in order to get this great work started the
world is prepared to overlook some very important de.
fects in the first plan adopted; and that the world will
view with scant patience those who, for either personal or
factional reaaons. attempt to block the progress Of that
which will be recognized as one Of the most important
movements ever undertaken by man.