Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-03-17
MARCH II, 1919
THE LEAGUE CONSTITUTION.


The world wants to be sure that
danger from future wars Will be MIN
imized to the lowest possible point,
therefore, when only one side or the
nroposed constitution of a league OF
nations had been heard, the people
everywhere were in danger OF being
swept off their feet by the rhetoric
of the president.
But under discussion, the people are
coming to understand that the cove
nant proposed at Paris needs revision
to make it clear, TO make it worka-
BILE, to prevent possible interference
with the domestic and political af-
fairs of this country.
Few democratic senator's have
spoken on the subject. except those
who are opposing it. President VIII
son has spoken only in general terms
of the desirability of such league, and
on that point there is no disagree
ment. So it has been left to former
President Taft to attempt TO iron out
the kinks and defend its provisions.
In order that Journal readers may
get the very best defense possible of
the presidents position, speech by
Taft is reprinted in full from the
New York Herald.
President Taft admits now. though
he held to the contrary in his New
York speech, that it is necessary that
the obligations of the United States
regarding armed participation in for
eign euaIrels should be specifically
defined. That is also the contention
of Senators Lodge, Fall and Knox.
Fall says he is unalterably opposed to
any league agreement which would
make possible the drafting of Amer
lean boys to guard Turkish harems
or to protect Balkan states FROM say,
Russian aggression. Tart now ad-
mits the possibility of such thing, but
scouts the probability of it.
The Monroe Doctrine.
But Taft admits that the Monroe
Doctrine, as distinctive American
policy, would be destroyed by the
proposed constitution. President Will
son says the Monroe Doctrine would
be extended to all the world, which Is
admission that Tafts opinion, as ex-
pressed in the following paragraphs,
is his opinion also, though the pres
ident has not felt it safe to so advise
the American people. Taft says:
"Those who would seek to enforce
Monroe Doctrine which makes the
western hemisphere our own pre-
serve in which we may impose our
sovereign will on the will of Other
countries in their own interest, be-
cause indeed we have done that in
the past. should not be sustained.
THE idea that the conditions in
America and in Europe can be main
tanned absolutely separate, with the
great trade relations between North
America and Europe. South America
and Europe, is looking backward, not
forward. 1t does not face existing
conditions"
Senator Fall says on that point;
II am not willing to arbitrate the
question of whether Germany. Japan
or any other foreign country may
acquire and build n military or naval
station in the territory of Mexico al
our very door. or acquire colonies In
Mexico or South America"
Both England and France have de
clined to agree that the Monroe Doc.
trine shall have recognition in the
league of nations, but hold that what.
ever European or Asiatic nations may
do on the western hemisphere should
be left open for discussion by the
league of nations. in which the United
States would have but one vote,
The immigration Question.
Both Wilson and Taft have stated
that immigration restriction is purel,
domestic matter over which the
league of nations would have no con.
troll But Viscount Ishii, the very abb,
Japanese ambassador TO the United
States, made a speech a few days age
in which he held that the constitution
OF the league of nations should pro
hibit discrimination against Asiatit
immigration, and he indicated yer,
clearly that Japan would not join such
league unless the covenant contained
such prohibition.
Replying directly to the words O.
the japanese ambassador, Senator
Chamberlain, one of the very ables
democrats in the United States sen
ate, said Saturday night:
THE right of racial discrimination
is purely domestic question. 1t il
not an international question IL thu
clause that Viscount Ishii insists shall
be in the constitution of the league
or nations is permitted to stand. /
means that we must let down the BAR
to the admission of Orientals. Tina
would mean the ruin Of the west,
-HBut II the allies refuse to ALLOW