Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-07-21
GR0NNA READY To
VOTE FOR PEACE;
OPPOSES LEAGUE
N D, Senator Declares Ma
tiOnaI Sovereign Would Pass
10 Superintendent, With
Covenant Ratified.
icy MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wrEel


Washington, July 20.-The follow
ing statement by United States Sen
ator AISLE j. Gronna was given GU
today:
Il have often been asked the aues
ton, Shall the American Spirit o
l776' die?' To this query l hav,
answered No and I now repeat mos
emphatically that such a thing cannO
he possible, especially at a time whel
the American soldier has just won thu
plaudits of the world for his patriotism
courage and unselfishness. We stanC
ready in the future, as we have in tho
past, to demand justice and fair play
not alone for ourselves, but for the
entire human race.
1T must not be thought that, be.
cause We love justice and liberty, anC
are willing that all the peoples of the
earth shall share in the blessings OF
freedom and free institutions, We are
ready to surrender any o. our own
sovereignty and independence. We
are not willing to destroy our Ameri-
can constitution and laws, or sur
render our American doctrines found
ed by the fathers. as these are still re-
garded the most precious heritage we
have.
Should Hold Sovereignty.
Il cannot believe that the American
people are willing that the funda-
mental laws of our land shall be so
changed that the power now lodged in
the hands of the people and of con-
Eress shall be transferred to an eXecu-
tive council consisting mostly of citi-
Zens of foreign lands, such as is pro-
posed in the covenant of the so-called
proposed constitution for a league of
nations.
For many weary months we have
Deen praying for a treaty of peace
we nave been ready and willing to
vote Tor a Just, honorable and lasting
peace; but to obtain this ;reaty and
adopt it, it should not be necessary to
hlnd our own government 20 obliga-
lions which would take from US our
own sovereign rights. We should not
assume the burden of guaranteeing
the territorial integrity of all other
nations, large and small. and of po-
llclng the world for all time to come,
unless we are ready to say that our
American soldiers from now shall be
Kept not on American soil alone, but
that standing army composed of
American soldiers shall be kept con-
tlnuously upon foreign soil.
Advocate 0f Peace.
Personally, | am an advocate of
peace, and | despise war, but | be-
lieve that the proposed constitution
for league of nations, j., ratified by
us, would be the means of involving
our government in continuous trouble
and in frequent wars.
Our declaration of independence,
and the constitution of the United
States We're the outsrowth of the
A ,i,,it ,f
ration of independence sets forth the
fundamental principles and the rights
OF man in language so plain that it
seems it cannot be misunderstood or
mlsinterpreted. The right of self
government and the inherent right Of
man to institute a government in full
harmony with the views of its own
people, are so wildly portrayed in the
declaration of independence that those
who believe in these sacreu and fund
amental principles can easily under
stand them.
The proposed covenant would not
be the means of promoting peace, be-
cause it does not limit nor does it pro-
pose to reduce ornaments, but it does
provide that ornaments may be in
creased by the powerful and strong
nations. 1t robs the people of the
smaller nations of their most sacred
heritage, namely, the right to institute
a form of government in accordance
with their own views
Rcyolts May Be Good.
We must not overlook the fact that
some of the greatest and most bene-
fetal reforms have been brought
about by revolutions, and these revo-
lutions have never been brought about
by men in high places but have al
ways been brought about by men in
the ordinary walks of life. and by
those who have been oppressed.
Shall we now, at this momentous
hour, after this terrible war and the
stupendOus sacrifices we have made
in blood and treasure build up
world of autocraCy which would make
it impossible for the oppressed to
break away from social, economic or
commercial slavery? Shall we take
from the American people the right
to control their own affairs and leave
their destiny to the mercy or an ex-
ecutive council composed mainly of
aliens or citizens of foreign lands?
Are We ready to surrender our SOW
ereignty and our American rights and
leave it to a council composed of a
few people who are citizens OF other
lands, to decide upon the questions of
vital interest concerning American
ideals and American institutions?
Il am opposed to this covenant be-
cause 1 believe that it VIII not pro-
mote peace, but breed war; | am OPP
posed to it because it takes from the
American people and the citizens of
our government the most cherished
heritage-that of governing our own
business without the interference of
any other people or government.
Il have been and am now ready to
vote for a treaty of peace; l have
been ready to do so for many months.
IF the proposed constitution for a
league of nations contains the merits
claimed by it's friends, why are they
so afraid to have it decided upon its
own merits? If it contains only a
portion that its sponsors claim for it,
it is sure to prevail, because the Amer
lean people have always stood for
justice and fair play to all the nations
Of he