Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-08-13

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obligations. A treaty rests and must
rest. except where it Is imposed un-
der duress and securities and host
ages are taken for it, fulhllment.
upon moral obligations. The path
way of dishonor - always open. But
whatever the United States agrees
to. by that agreemnt she must abide.
IF the United States or any other
great country should refuse, no
matter how specious the reasons, to
fulfill both in letter and spirit every
obligation in this covenant. the
United States would be dishonored
and the league would crumble into
dust. leaving behind it legacy of
wars"
Quoting a press report that
Bedouins were attacking the King
dom of Hedjaz. the senator pointed
out that Hedjaz was a member of the.
League whose integrity the United
States would guarantee to preserve
from external aggression under the
covenant.
Under Article H." he said. IF
King Hussein appeal to us for aid
and protection against external ag-
gression affecting his independence
and the boundaries of his kingdom.
we should be bound. to. give that aid
and protection and to send American
soldiers to Arabia. I am unwilling
to give that right to King Hussein
and this illustrates the point which
is to me the most, Objectionable in
the league as it stands: the right of
other powers to call out American
troops and American ships to go to
any part of the world, an obligation
We are bound to fulfill under the
terms Of this treaty. know the an
swer well-that Of course they could
not be sent without action by Con-
gress. Congress would have no
choice IL acting in good faith.
Let me now briefly point out the
difnculty which I ind In
Article Is. 1t begins-T there
should arise between members Of the
League any dispute likely to lead to
a rupture. Amy dispute covers ev-
cry possible dispute. It therefore COW
ers a dispute over tariff duties and
over immigration.
AN immigration dispute or a dis
pute over tariff duties, met by the
procedure set forth in article Is,
comes before the assembly of dele
gates for a decision by what is prac-
ticaliy a majority vote Of the entire
assembly. That is something to
which I do not find myself able to
give my assent. So far as immigra-
ton is concerned, and also so far as
tariff duties. although less important.
are concerned, deny the jurisdiction.
There should be no possibility Of
other nations deciding who shall
come into the United States, or under
what conditions they shall enter. The
right to say who shall come into a
country, is one of the very highest
attributes of sovereignty. If a ma
ton can not say without appeal who
shall come within its gates and be-
come part of its citizenship il has
ceased to be a sovereign nation. 1t
has become tributary and a subject
nation, and it makes no difference
whether it is subject to league or to a
conqueror."
The Senator said the British dele
gates to the Peace Conference, in a
statement regarding the Monroe
Doctrine had asserted that should a
dispute arise as to the meaning of
the Doctrine, the league is there to
settle it" -
1T has seemed to me-" he con-
that the British DELEGATION
travelled a little out Of the precincts
of the Peace Conference when they
undertook to explain the Monroe
Doctrine and tell the United States
what it was and what it was not
proposed to do with it under the new
article.
The Monroe Doctrine was the corol-
larry OF Washington's neutrality policy
and Of his injunction against perma-
nent alliances. 1t reiterates and re-
afirms the principle. We do not seek
to merdle in the affairs of Europe and
keep Europe out Of the Americas. 1t
10 as important to keep the United
States out of European affairs as to
keep Europe out OF the American con-
tents.
1t was purely an American doctrine.
purely American policy, designed and
wisely designed for our defense 1t has
never been an International engage.
ment.' No nation has ever formally
recognized it. 1t has been the subject
of reservation at International conven.
tons by American delegates. 1t has
never been a regional UNDERSTANDING
or an understanding Of any kind with
1t was the declaration Of the
United States of America. in their own
behalf. supported by their own power
They brought it into being and its life
was rredicated on the force which the
United States could place behind it.
Unless the United States could sustain
II. it would die. The United States has
suppoFf"a ''. 1t has lived-strong, EN-
cient, 1t is now proposed 20
kill it by provision in a treaty for q
League of Nations.
Why, In the name Of peace. should
we extinguish it? why. in the name Of
peace should we be called upon to
leave the Interpretation Of the Monroe
Doctrine to other nations? 1t is an
American policy. 1t is ourkown. It has
guarded US well, and I for one can
never find consent In my heart to de-
stroy IL by q clause in q treaty and
hand over its body for dissection 20
the nations Of Europe.
Another point In this covenant
whore change mus. be made In order
to protect the safety Of the United
States In the future ID In Article /.
where withdrawal 10 provided for. A.
1t now stands 1t reads that
ANY member Of the league may,
after :wo years notice Of its intention
to do so. withdraw from the league.