The sun., 1919-03-31
ROOT SUGGESTS
SIX CHANGES In
LEAGUES PLAN
Ratification of Instrument
Means Surrender of Mon
roe Doctrine.
SCHEME LACKS TEETH
1t Puts Subject of Arbitra-
tion Back Where 1t Was
25 Years Ago.
E&PEDIENCY FOR LAW
Automatic Conference pefec-
tivc-Right Of Withdrawal
Should Be Provided.
EXPEDIENCY FOR LAW


Declaring 1t to be serious question
rs to whether the proposed covenant
pf'the League OF Nations as now beins
discussed in Paris would accomplish
the end desired by all---the preserve
fion Of the peace Of the world-Elihu
f'oot has dissected that document and
suggests six amendments.
Mr.. Root, distinguished authority on
international law, formerly Secretary
OF War. then Secretary Of State and
later United States Senator, analyzed
the league constitution. as 1t has been
published. at the written request OF
Wil II. Hays. chairman OF the Repub-
hcan National Committee The corre-
tpondence was made public by Chair
man Hays yesterday.
The Monroe Doctrine would be pre-
Ferved by Mr.. Root by the inclusion of
= clause just before the signatures OF
the American delegates which would
specifically state that nothing con-
ta1ned In the document should be con-
srued as a REIMBURSEMENT by the
United States Of its traditional attitude
on purely American questions or to re-
quire the submission of such policy, in
Guiding the admission Of immigrants,
to the decision Of other Powers.
Amendments suggested.
In the order suggested by Mr.. Root.
His hrst amendment would be to pro-
vide for compulsory arbitration in all
1usticiable disputes, those not involving
matters Of policy. where diplomacy had
Tho second amendment would provid.
for a general conference of the Powers
between two and 1--WE years after the
signing Of the covenant, for the purpose
OF reviewing conditions of international
law and would provide for further con-
ferences at stated intervals.
Mr.. Root would amend the much dis
cussed Article X, which provides for the
maintenance OF the territorial integrity
or the members Of the league, by pro-
Tding that after five years any party
may terminate its obligation under the
article after ono years notice
Mr. Roots NTH amendment would pro-
vide that the commission on the reduc-
tion OF asInaments should have the power
to inspect the armament and verify the
reports thereon.
The sixth suggestion Is that the Exec
utive Council shall have a conference Of
the members of the league in not less
than five and not more than ten years
after the signing OF the covenant fox It's
revision, and that at such time. or any
time thereafter upon one years notice
any nation may withdraw from the
league.
The Senate of the United States should
have been called into special session i'm
mediately after March I to weigh public
opinion and take the lead In drafting
amendments to the league covenant, Nc.
Root declares. This was the moro neoes-
sary. he says. because while treaties are
usually framed by Ambassadors and then
reviewed by the President and the Sec
rotary of State, there Is here no room
for supervision and independent judg-
ment because of the fact that in this
case the President himself Is drafting the
document. assisted by the Secretary OF
State.
Text OF Mr.. Roots Letter.
Mr. Roots letter to Chairman Hays
follows:
IT have received your letter of March
- anu BINo you HcIcWltH perhaps
suordinate length my views regarding
the proposed convention for League of
Nations
II am sure that all OF US earnestly
desire that there shall be an effective
International organization to preserve
the peace OF the world, and that our
country shall do its full share toward
the establishment and maintenance OF
such an organization. I do not see much
real controversy about that among the
American people, either between parties,
or within parties, or otherwise.
There is. however, a serious question
whether the particular proposed agree
ment which Is now under discussion by
the Peace Conference IN Paris under the
title a Constitution OF a League of Ma
tions' will accomplish that end in its
present form. and whether It cannot be
made more effective and free from OBJ
lection. A careful study OF tho paper
under the urging of intense interest in
the subject has led me TO the conclusion
that a large part OF its provisions will
be OF great value. but that II has very
serious faults. which may lead to tho
ultimate failure OF the whole scheme
unless they are remedied, and some
faults which unnecessarily and without
any beneflt whatever to the project
tend TO embarrass and hinder the United
States In giving its full support to the
scheme.