The sun., 1919-02-23


Congress has always had. which even
the President did not have. which the
fathers OF the republic withheld from
the Executive and placed in the con-
troll of the representatives OF the peo-
pie. That power Is here vested In an
executive council eight members OF
which are foreign to the United States
and six members OF which do not speak
the English language as their mother
tongue and six OF which are at present
representatives Of kings and spring from
countries that prefer, kings and mon
archies to republics.
"Any Threat or Danger"
Il read from article TO-" he continued.
And notice the language: 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
Amy threat or danger! Why, sirs. a
cloud OF dispute as big as a mans hand
may rise In the political horizon and
that could be construed into a threat Of
danger. dispute with Mexico over an
oil territory, dispute with reference to
the stealing of American cattle q dis
pute with reference to shooting across
the lino--all these would be threats Of
danger and instantly this body OF nom
English speaking foreigners living 5000
miles from here could assume jurisdic-
ton and could advise upon the means By
which the high contracting parties will
preserve the territorial and political In
dependence Of Mexico.
In Hands of a Few Men.
Il read Article XII: Any war or
threat of war. whether Immediately af-
fecting any of the high contracting
parties or not. Is hereby declared n mat
ter OF concern to the league and the
high contracting parties reserve the
right TO Jake any action that may be
deemed wise and effectuai to safeguard
the peace Of nations'
What Do you say this league is to
interfere with matters outside its own
members and that do not concern its
own members? 1t is. unbelievable that
so monstrous a thing as that should
be proposed; yet it is here plainly writ
ten down. Even Taft ought to be made
to read 1t every day TO his audiences.
1t means that these eight or nine men
who constitute this council may take
whatever action they see a..
Forbidden to Declare War.
Il proceed now to another phase. The
right to declare war is taken from the
American Congress and placed in the
executive council, which is eight to one
composed OF foreigners. Broadly speak
ing every question or any question
arising anywhere in the world that may
provoke disputes or may cause a war
comes within the Jurisdiction of this
board OF nine rem. but among other
things the Moaroe Doctrine. border dis
putes. the right OF aliens to enter ami
remain in the United States, privileges
OF aliens while so remaining, the rights
OF American citizens along the Mexi-
can border. the destruction OF American
ships upon the high seas, the seizure of
sailors upon American vessels, the i'm
prisonment of American seamen. the
building OF fortresses to command the
Panama Canal. the seizure OF the canal
these and a thousand other vital ques-
lions. including indeed all questions. car
be forced by any of our antagonists to a \
decision-note this please-not by n
court Of arbitration. not by a court OF
arbitrators we agree upon. but can be
forced to decision by any OF our
antagonists. by the executive council or
by the league itself. .t..
That Is the league. II sets up juris-
dict,on and right to settle every con-
troversy which may arise. including the
right to pass upon all questions which
II may think may lead TO war. 1t Is a
jurisdiction as broad as the world.
Might Even Control TraMc.
1T is entirely Conceivable that such
tribunal might conclude that simple \
tariff levied upon importations might be-
come a cause OF war. and assume the
right 70 command State to not levy a
tarin duty The pains and penalties for
non-obedence are that IL shall be deemed
TO have committed an act OF war against
all the other. members OF the league.
In the case aforesaid every member
OF the league Is at once ipso facto at war
with the states failing TO obey the order
OF the league. All trade or financial re-
lations are TO be Immediately severed.
All intercourse, between citizens of the
offending nation and citizens OF AL other
nations are to be suspended. Our
armies are levied by orders of tho ex-
ccutive council.
The covenant binds US to go to the
support OF any member OF the league
with ships and arms. We further agree
to let the armed forces OF any OF the
high contracting bodies who are CO.
operating to protect the covenant to pass
across our territory.
Retorts to Taft Crfticism.
ANY denial that these various obliga-
tons, stpulations ana surrenders taken
together do not amount to a transfer OF
many OF the great sovereign powers OF
the United States to a league controlled
and dominated by foreigners is ridiculous
and dishonest, William II. Taft to the
contrary notwithstanding.
II pause to remark that at time like