The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-24

fer of power cannot be made by the presi-
dent and the senate. directly or indirectly.
The power was given to congress by the
people, and only the people can take 1t
away or transfer 1t.
All Must Conform.
Under the article of the proposed consti-
such principles as may be prescribed by
tary force and ornaments" This clearly
gives the league in which the United States
has but one vote, the right to say how
large the army and navy of the United
States shall be. Are the people of our
country ready, to give such great power
and authority to the league or to the exeeu-
Under article, TO- the members of the
league undertake to respect and preserve
toriaf integrity and existing political in
dependence of all states members of the
league" If this article is agreed to as
written, then the United States must be
ready to stand by its pledge with its
armies and its fleets and it must be ready
to expend its money to protect the boun-
daries and defend from outside attack the
government of every member of the league.
and it must be remembered that the execu-
tive council, In which the United States has
but one vote, is to advise upon the means
by which the obligation shall be fulfilled.
Disastrous to the U. S.
This is a great undertaking and might
disastrous to the United States, and we
might be called upon to take part in a
controversy in which our people were but
ton provides for the settlement of dis
putes between members OF the league (;
and. under article 10, If any member breaks
or disregards its covenant under article Il,
(Which provides for the settlement of dis
putesl it shall thereby be deemed to have
members of the league, and in such cases
it shall be the duty of the executive coun-
ell to recommend what effective military
or naval forces the members of the league
shall severally contribute to the armed
forces TO be used to protect the covenants
of the league So it will be seen that an
executive council, and not the people of our
own country, would determine what part
the United States would take in any such
Under article 81 1t is agreed that pro-
vision shall be made thru the league Ito
secure and maintain freedom of transit and
equitable treatment for the commerce of
all the members of the league" Under
this provision the tariff laws of every ma
nation would come under the Jurisdiction of
the league. and it would put in it's hands
the regulation of our commerce with for
| eign countries.
Cannot Withdraw From League.
The proposed constitution makes ample
provision for nation to become q member
/ Of the league, but 1t makes no provision
| for the withdrawal from the organizati ton
1t seems to me that this Is a very serious
! into and the proposed constitution should
| be SO amended as to enable any member to
unwise for it to continue as a member
! 1t is contended that it is the object OF
| the league to prevent future wars-a con-
| dition we all hope and pray for. A care
| full reading of the proposed constitution
will convince any reader that it does not
prevent war. nor make it impossible. One
of the ablest statesmen of the country, a
| man who has had far greater experience in
! international questions than any of Presi-
| dent Wilson's advisers. has pointed out
| that in at least seven case the proposed
| constitution recognizes the legality of q
| state of war and goes further and pro
| vides that In certain controversies the
parties must go to war. He claims that in
Mt least three cFses. war is mandatory. and
| the amount of the participation of the
| United States in the belligerent operations
would be determined. not by the people OF
the United States. but by the executive
| council in which the United States would
! have but one vote out of nine.
Will People Keep Power:
Under the constitution of the United
| States, the congress has the exclusive
| support armies and to provide and main
tain n navy. Do the people of the country
| desire to amend the constitution and give
| that power to an executive council of
| league of nations, or would they rather
| retain it in their own hands:
| Personally, 1 have favored the settle
ment of international disputes. as far as
1 ed number of treaties that had that OBJ
| ject in view. I am strongly in favor Of
the principle of the league. that is the pre-
| vention of future wars. but / think thu
| proposed constitution of the league SHOULD
/ be materially amended. Surely ther,
| should be a recognition and preservation
| of national sovereignties.