New-York tribune., 1919-07-29

IL HlOHlucS lOI o. ullQlUk NY Liz
council whether the question is one
solely within the domestic jurisdic-
tion. There should be clear state
ment of our understanding that such
matters, where no interna tional en-
gagement has been made with re-
spect thereto, are not submitted for
the consideration or action of the
league or any Of it's agencies.
1t is urged by the advocates of the
covenant that Article XXI recognizes
and preserves the Monroe Doctrine
But the descriptive phrase employed
in the article is inaccurate, and the
meaning of the article is far from
clear. There should be an interprc-
tive statement which will remove all
doubt that the traditional policy of
the United States as to purely Amer
lean questions is still maintained. I
fully indorse Mr.. Roots proposed
statement Of reservation and under
view that an alternative form of
statement may be helpful l submit
one below.
/ agree with Mr.. Root that it
would be desirable to eliminate Arti-
Gle x, with it's guaranty to "pre-
serve against external aggression the
territorial integrity" of all members
of the league. My views as to this
article were stated in the enclosed
address before the Union League
Club (March 26, 1919 and ! need
not repeat them at length. / still
think that Article X is a trouble
breeder and not a peace maker.
Peace, Not War, Wanted
If we are entexing upon a new
world order of dem ocracies, the In
evitable consequences should be rec
ognized. Democracies cannot prom
ise war after the manner of mon
archs. 1t is idle to attempt to COM
nit free peoples to the making of
war in, an unknown contingency when
such war may be found to be clear
~ opposed to the dictates of justice.
The limitation with respect to "ex-
ternal aggression" is important, but
does not meet the difficulty. AS the
most earnest supporters Of the ar
ticle admit, it may be invoked against
a power which has performed all it's
obligations under The other provi-
sions of the covenant and be the vic
tor Gin war legal under Articles
XII, XIII and XIV"
While the Importance of Article
x is strongly emphasized by it's sup
porters, it is said at the same time
that the fulfilment of the engage
ment would be only according to the
plan advised by the council of the
league, and as this must be a plan
upon which the members of the
council unanimously agreed we could
veto any proposal calling for an in
tervention in what we deemed to be
an unsuitable case. Again, it is
freely recognized that war can only
be declared by Congress.
Article X Objectionable
Article x is Objectionable because
it is an illusory engagement. Whether
we shall go to war to preserve the
territorial integrity of another state
in situation not now disclosed or
described so that the merits of the
case may be judged will depend
upon the action of Congress, and that
action will be taken according to the
conviction of our people as to our
duty in the light of the demands of
justice as they appear when the ex-
lgency arises. The general guaranty
of Article x cannot be relied upon to
produce action contrary to its judg-
ment. We should not enter into a
guaranty which would expose us to
the charge of bad faith, or of having
defaulted in our obligations, notwith-
standing that Congress in refusing
to make war had acted in accordance
with its conception of duty in the
. circumstances disclosed
Of course, limitation of the opera
ton of Article X to a period of
years would. be preferable to the in
definite obligation proposed. But,
IN my. Judgment, it would be better
that, If Article-X is not eliminated,
reservation and interpretive state
ment should be adopted which would
adequately recognize the limitations
have mentioned. Further, it is pos
slble that such a reservation and in
terpretivc statement, while sufficient
for our protection, would make &C
qulescence easier than if the elimina-
ton of the article were required.
append the form of such a statement
for your consideration.
Gives Form for Change
The resolution embodying the res
ervatlons and interpretations thus
suggested might be in some such
form as the following:
The Senate Of the United States of
America advises and consents to the
ratification of said treaty with the
~OAAN'A'6 ACoCIN NQtlO4lS ana unQGr-
standings as to it's Interpretation and
effect, to be made a part of the in
strument of ratification:
"First-That whenever two years
notice of withdrawal from the league
OF nations shall have been given, as
provided in Article l Of the cove
nant, the power giving the notice
shall cease to be a member of the
league or subject to the obligations
OF the covenant of the league, at the
time specified in the notice, notwith-
standing any claim, charge or find
ing of the non-fultilment of any in
ternational obligation or of any OBJ
hgatlon under said covenant; pro-
vlded, however, that such withdrawal
shall not release the power from any
debt or liability heretofore incurred.
"Second--That questions relating
to immigration, or the imposition Of
duties on imports where such ques-
tons do not arise out of any inter
national engagement, are questions