The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1919-03-13

ternational status, Mr.. TAFT .dec.a I'd,
because the interests of the United
States are inevitably involved in the
preservation of European peace"
For the United States to withdraw
from the project, he asserted, would
make the league of nations merely "a
return to the system Of alliances and
the balance of power with a speedy
recurrence of war, in which this coun'
try would certainly be involved, as it
was in the present struggle"
Refers to Criticisms.
Referring to criticism of the league
plan in the Senate, the former presi-
dent stated his belief it was the duty
of the President, as the prime mover
of the nations treaty-making power,
to report the eventual draft OF the
treaty with the former Central powers
with the league of covenant as part
of the treaty itself, If in his judgment
and that Of the Peace conference an
agreement formally terminating the
war would be incomplete without 1t.
If the President made such recon-
mendation, Mr.. Taft said, he ventured
to doubt if there would be a majority
of the members willing to assume the
responsibility of decreeing the. treaty
be amended by striking out the consti-
tuition of the league and committing
the question to9further discussion OF
Paris. Mr.. Taft stated his opinion that
the problem would have "a somewhat
different aspect" for senators upon
vhom would be laid the blame for
"postponing peace"
counteraeting eolshevism.
Though he relied upon Americas
training for hundreds of years in SELF
government to counterfeit the hard,
cruel, murderous specter of BOlshe.
vism" in this country. Mr.. Taft as
serted that If it spreads over and de-
stroys the existing governments IN
France and England and Italy and
threatens them and includes the whole
of Europe in it's poisonous and conta-
gious influence, we must not minimize
it's dangers to our own civilization.
United Force Needed.
There must be the united force of
a league of nations to stabilize condl-
lions and hold them until the new ma
lions created for the purpose shall
have the strength with which they can
play their part in making the treaty OF
peace effective"
MIR. Taft saw no threat against the
Monroe Doctrine in the league coven-
ant. under which, he said, America
would take the initial steps and pre-
sumably would be in charge of repres-
sive action in case of violations on the
American continent. European men,
bers would attend to Europe and Asia
tic members to Asia unless conflict
of such seriousness developed that the
peace of the world was endangered.
After reminding his audience that
no critic had offered "single con-
structive suggestion" in the way OF a
substitute plan, Mr.. Taft entered upon
q discussion of the legal aspects OF the
project. The proposed covenant ne
said. was nothing more than q con-
tract for the benefit of the contracting
parties. It created mo supersover-
eighty" he maintained, adding that
"The only sovereignty we have Is that
sanctioned by international law"
The former president asserted that
the league provision prohibiting war
until three months after an arbitration
award or a recommendation OF com
promise, was "the great restraint
upon war imposed by the covenant
upon memers and non-members.
He showed how the penalizing clause
sub1ecting a covenant breaking nation
to a boycott of it's commercial. trace,
financial, personal and Official rela'
tons with other countries, would De a
powerful International weapon Tor the
enforcement Of peace.
The former president declared that
the world was "in sight OF league OF
peace. of what have ever regarded as
the promised land"
He asserted that "Our profound
sympathy in his purpose. and our pray
ers for his success" should go with
President Wilson in his great MIS-
sion.'