The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-21
WHAT DO THE PEOPLE wANr7

WHAT DO THE PEOPLE WANT?
The question whether the United States shall join
league of nations has been passed by the people
of the United States or by the warhakng power Opin
ion is divided 1t is impossible for any man, however well
nfromed to tell with certainty whether the people ia
vor eage or whether they prefer keep out of all al
liances and entanglements in European affairs
In this situation what is best to be done Is it best
submit the question the question to the Senate even
assuming that it has the power to decide the matter
The Post does not admit As membership in league OF
nations means little unless the league is strong enough
to compel members scale down their ornaments it goes
without saving that the United States joins any league
it will be willing to have the league decide for it when
lit shall fight recalcitrant and how large the United
States army and navy shall be. Can the Senate commit
the people to such momentous charge? Under what
authority would the Senate act this transfer of power
from Congress to a league of nations?
The league of nations the authority to dispose
of all disputes between nations whether members of the
league or not That relieves the United States of all
sponsibty for protecting the nations of this hemisphere
the preservation of their free governments against pos
sbe subverson resulting from disputes with European
powers Thus an empire might be created on the ruins
of republic in this hemisphere, all strictly in conform
ty with the policy of the league of nations Do the peo
pie of the United States wish to make this changer The
can made if they DESIRE but they may object to having
the Senate make it for them
The universal desire to make impossible at leas
extremely difficult ustifes the full discussion by the
American people of the proposal have the United States
throw aside the Monroe doctrine for world doctrine of
compulsory peace. The effect of the change would be
an abandonment by the United States of sole guardian
ship over one hemisphere to become partner in the
danshp of both hemspheres. No dispute in the world,
if threatenede war; would be foreign to the United
States and this country would necessarily be participant
in every in the world wherever waged and whatever
its origin In company with other members of the league
it would presumably put quick end to any upstart ma
ton or outlaw league of nations which should challenge
the combined erie nations But the presumption proved
unsound and the outlaw nations should prove hard
TONER'S the United States would fight to its last and
its last dollar exactly if it fighting for its life
league do they want wrst-slappng association
Do the people want real league peace peace
compelling league, do they want wrst-slapping
association? No doubt, if the Americans favor any
league they favor league that will be able to strike
dead any nation that dares TO- attack its peaceful neg
bors Assuming that they wish to see such league
formed and willing to have the United States join it
they must also be ready to do all that necessary to
carry this desire into effect; that is they must be will
ing to abandon the policy of aoofness which America
has pursued and to give authority to the league to act
in behalf of the United States in making war; boycott.
ting recalctrants operating armies and fleets ETC. They
must be ready and willing to give their first allegiance
the league of nations and its flag and their secondary
allegiance to the United States and the Stars and Stripes
We submit that this question cannot be decided fol-
the people by the president and the senate The people
must decide it for themselves. 1t means rconstruc
ton of their government and they alone have authority
reconstruct the Let them have congress
call constitutional convention to remodel the Consttu
ton and adapt the to the league of nations
lf there is to be league of nations to take the
power now possessed by the United States,Washing-
ton Post
The question which seems to concern this country par