The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-16
SENATORS ARE WARY
ABOUT LEAGUE PLAN


document at all without comprehensive
further study, were Senators Reed, Dem
ocrat tMo), and Knox, Republican
(Pa.).
Senator Borah (Idaho) discussed the
abrogation OF the Monroe Doctrine to the
exclusion OF the other features, saying
The instrument as a whole requires
much study in order TO know what In
detail shall be Its obligations in case It
Is finally adopted. but one thing is clear
that as II stands Il Is a remuneration Of
the Monroe Doctrine. II distinctly wipes
out all distinction between European
and American affairs. Whatever doubt
there may be as to details there can be
no doubt as 70 this fundamental propo-
sition.
Eve obligate ourselves to go to Europe
and participate in all the European af-
fairs within the Jurisdiction of the league
and the European Powers obllgate
themselves to come to the Western Con-
tinent and deal with western affairs
for the territorial Jurisdiction Is the
same In one continent as in the other.
Would Invade This Continent.
I'm the preamble It provides for In
ternRtional cooperation In all matters
"ibaih Nlo Oh I1e lthBue,
whether In one part OF the world or the
other. The league would sit in judg-
ment upon matters between Japan and
Mexico Just the same as IL would be-
tween Great Britain and the Bllkans.
The Monroe Dictrine is a personal
doctrine as 1t were TO the United States.
We have never permitted any one else
to have anything TO say about it or to be
In any respect responsible for its en-
forcement or non-enforcement. That is
the distinguishing and indispensable es-
sential OF the document.
President Wilson once said most cor
rectly: The Monroe Doctrine was pro-
mulgated by the United States upon our
own authority. 1t always has been and
always will be maintained upon our own
responsibility
But in Article x we learn his con-
tracing parties undertake to preserve
as against external aggression the ter
ritorial integrity and existing inde-
pendence OF all States, members OF the
league. In case of any such aggression
or In case Of any threat or danger OF
such aggression the executive council
shall advise upon the means by which
the obligation shall be fulfilled.
IF the South American countries
Join the league and Germany, IL she 10 a
try, threatens the territorial integrity .:
any South American country the league,
not the United States. takes charge OF
the matter. The matter will be settled
not by the Congress Of the United States
but by the league at the capital OF the
world.
Would Yield Our Independence.
III Japan threatens to take South
ern California we would not settle the
matter. but would refer II to the
tribunal and disposing agencies of the
league. In other words. in all prob
ability thu entire matter would be de-
cided. II we are to assume that a ma
jority vote Is to prevail, by the Euro
pean Powers
There are two other provisions in
the league constitution which might be
cited as bearing directly upon the mat
ter. but / apprebend that no one will
contend that under the sweeping terri
torial Jurisdiction given to the league
that the Monroe Doctrine would not
disappear"
Senator Po.ndexter (washington)
Republican. analysed the constitution
exhaustively. He said:
THE eighth article provides The
executive council shall also determine
for the consideration and action of the
several Governments what military equip
ment and armament is fair and reason
able in proportion to the scale of forces
laid down In the programme of disarma-
ment. and these limits when adopted
shall not be exceeded without the per-
mission OF the executive council
This provision transfers TO the
League OF Nations the sovereign prerog-
ative OF fixing the relative and absolute
size Of the armies and navies OF the sew.
eral countries Under II Great Britain
might be allowed navy OF certain
size and the United States a navy OF
another size.
The transfer OF such power to ar
association of foreign nations such az
the proposed league would take out OF
the hands of the people OF the United
States. acting through their own Govern
ment, the liberty OF protecting their ter
rttory and institutions and the rights O.
its citizens when invaded as in the at.
tack made upon us by Germany There
Ia no power in the President nor in the
Senate nor In Congress itself nor In al
combined TO transfer In this way the
sovereign power of the nation.
Sees Absurdity in DisarminG.
TT would be the height of absurdity
even II agreed 20 by each individual,
nation for The Allies to dlsarrn them.
selves as proposed by this draft while
our enemies adopt perfect and thorough
system OF military preparation.
ARTICLE XII. provides for arbitra tior
or inquiry by the executive council OF
non-just!ciable as we'll as tusticiabls
questions, however vital they may be &c
the independence. safety, honor or ever
existence OF the nation, and proposed
that the United States should bind Itself
after such submission not to resort e
war even though II might be vitality nee.
essary for our protection until three
months after the award &c, howeve,
long n time might elapse until the award
was made. and that they will not ever
then resort to war as against a member
OF the league which complies with the
award of the arbltrators or the recon.
mendation of the executive council Thl.
provision II agreed to by the United
and lnp1 nnr