Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1919-03-02
Beyond the Power of Congress
Ratfcaton of League Plans Requires Powers Not Con-
stitutionally Bestowed Upon the Lawmaking Body

Ben Rice, a Tulsa lawyer, who has
been giving the proposed league OF
nations and its effect on the United
States considerable thought. In u
letter TO The World. submits the fol
lowing:
A Note OF Warning.
For the purpose only OF sounding
a note of warning and asking the
people 10 give earnest attention TO
the proposed organization OF the
league OF nations. | am calling your
attention TO side OF the PROPOSE
ton which appeals TO me most
strongly.
The proposed organization OF the
league OF nations carries us into the
unexplored regions OF diplomacy. II
presents a problem far reaching In
its effect, the solution OF which will
test the capacity OF the American
people for self government and en-
danger the preservation OF American
institutions.
Eternal vigilance II the price OF the
liberty OF the American citizen and
1t seems TO me that there has never
been a time since tho civil war when
II was so necessary for every man
to be on guard. 1t Is not a ques-
tion OF criticism OF President Wilson
but n question OF constructive criti-
ctsm. An ideal is not good merely
because It Is an ideal, but because II
is an attainable ideal. In other
words, II this ideal was attainable,
no one could of course, object, but
who believes for moment that the
people OF the world will be governed
by the decision OF a majority OF the
l.s. - ~ n
formed OF so-calied local conditions
For example, suppose the society OF
nations with thS, United States Ire II
remembered, always In minority,
objecta 10 our dealings with Mexico
Failing at distance or thousands OF
miles To understand the seriousness
Of shooting on our Texas border Of
killing our Americans in the MsNi-
can oil fields the league decides 10
coerce us by an embargo on our ex-
ports. Is there any doubt that In
such case America would he placed
in a position OF repudlatng It's
promise made without understand
ing?" .,rs
The Washington Post carried an
editorial, under date OF February 10,
which has heen inserted In the Con
rressional Record and ! think
should be given widest publicity
You will note:
Must tie SupcrsInte.
First That the league ~ nations,
20 be In fact anything moro than an
q association OF uncommittod powers
must he n superstate. II must be
an international organization with
power and authority over all inter
national ORGANIZATIONS. possessing
more authority over various nations
Of the World than the British parlia-
ment possesses over her SELF
dominlons.
Second. President Wilson had on
his arrival In Europe certain phrases.
even certain principles, expressed In
some OF his speeches, but only In
the vagucst sort NJ way. ale was
met bv specifically and definitely
outlined sketches OF machine TO
be called n league OF nations After
he president had been In confer"
Nnce for some time Il became clenF
hat II progress was TO he made II
would bo necessary to cease discus
sion OF abstract principles and get
iown TO actual construction of ma
and ~ this point the nresi-
tent was helpless and Il zen 10 the
British logically and Inevitably 10
Begin the task u constructing some
framework. and this is what has