Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-09-14
THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

We may assume that the people of
the United States are willing to see
the league of nations project tried out
in the hope that there may grow out
of it something that will prevent war.
They are by no means sure that it
will succeed. Many of them fear that
it may have in it the seeds from which
wars grow, but they are willing to
try the experiment.
But we believe a large majority of
the people of this country want to be
very sure that. when the United
States joins the league, it does not
compromise their liberties or jeopar-
die their institutions.
The president demands that the
treaty, including the covenant of the
league of nations. be ratified exactly
as he brought it from Paris. He still
insists that the senate although it is
charged by the constitution with the
duty Of finally passing upon all trea-
ties, shall sign on the dotted line.
This, the senate will not do. 1t will
make certain that will do four things,
at least:
Make it clear that the Monroe doc
trine shall not become matter for
discussion between European nations
and the United States; that the United
States shall have the right to with
draw from he league of nations at
will; that to congress is reserved the
right to pass upon all domestic ques-
tions, and to determine whether this
nation shall go to war or resort to an
economic boycott at the request of
the league.
The president says all of these
points are safeguarded now. Possibly
they are. but the best international
lawyers say they are not-among
them is included Lord Robert Cecil,
the man who actually drafted the
covenant, who has said officially that
in case of disagreement between the
United States and any other country
regarding the Monroe doctrine, the
league of nations will be there to de-
eide it.
Had we had such league of nations
at that time. we can well understand
that Napoleon III would have APP
pealed to it when the French We're
ordered out of Mexico and General
Sheridan was sent to the border with
powerful army of civil war vet
Grams to see to it that the order was
carried out
But with the president there is no
league but the Wilson league. Any
man who would change one word in
the sacred document is trying to pre-
vent ending the war, to betray the
ideals of the American people to be-
tray the objects for which the service
men fought and died in France, to
dishonor the mothers who gave up
their sons for a holy cause. to pre-
vent reduction of the high cost of
living, to contribute to the spread of
Bolshevism in the United States. lie
hasn't yet charged that they are. try
ing to cause a recurrence OF flu this
winter, but we may expect such charge
before the ten-thousand- tour is
completed
But let us remember that the pres
ident, while very able man, is far
from infallible. lie has made many
mistakes. And he has changed his
mind on almost all the important
questions that have arisenn during
and before his administration. from
woman suffrage to keeping us out of
war. What assurance have we now
that he will not change his mind on
the league of nations. Beyond ques-
ton he could make Just as good
speech against it as he can for it, and
we may all live to hear of him do
ing so.