Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-24
SENATOR SPENCER EXPLAINS
Does Not Oppose League Idea. but Wants
Monroe Doctrine Ringingly ReafIrmcd


To the Editor Of the Epening Public Ledger:
Sir-My attention has just been called to
the editorial in your great paper of March
-, concerning myself, in which you indicate
that my being heart and soul in favor of
a league of nations is a change of heart
since the signing of what you are pleased to
call the Lodge round robin
hope it may not be unwecome to you to
allow me to correct the inference which you
have thus inadvertently made.
There was never at any time anything but
a cordial desire for league of nations in
the hearts of the great majority of the sign
ers of the so-called round robin" The pur-
pose was not to hinder or destroy league
of nations but. the other hand, was in
tended to advance and make possible a
league of nations which would be acceptable
to the American people 1t was the only op-
portunity to indicate clearly that certain fea-
lures of the proposed constitution of the
league of nations We're impossible and re-
quired amendment. Since then, every man
who has spoken with any degree of author
ity upon the question has frankly admitted
the necessity of amendment. Mr.. Taft has
so declared himself; Mr.. Bryan suggests
number of vital amendments Mr. Lowell, in
his debate with Senator Lodge definitely
commits himself to amendments, and this
was precisely the attitude of the Senate.
The reasons that require a league of ma
tions that in its operation may lessen the
chances OF future war are many and great.
It is equally important. as we said in
connection with The Hague convention in
1907, to again clearly and in unmistakable
terms provide in any covenant to which we
are "a party that nothing therein shall be
construed to imply REIMBURSEMENT by the
United States of its traditional attitude to-
ward purely American questions
This is not an amendment either technical
in character or captious in spirit. 1t is abso-
lutely fundamental.
Should Mexico, which now owns lower Cali
fornia with its potential naval bases and its
wide stretch of territory sell to Japan (and
il must be admitted that MeXiXco would
rather like the money and Japan would
rather like the territory what would follow
under the proposed league of nations as it
now stands?
of the league would require every one of the
high contracting parties to preserve as
against external aggression the territorial
integrity of Japan in its newly acquired pos
session.
Japan has as much right to buy from
Mexico lower California as We had to buy
the Islands from Denmark except for the
Monroe Doctrine, which stands in the way.
and under which this nation in any such
contemplated purchase would make 1t clear
to both Mexico (the Vendor) and Japan (the
vendee) that under our traditional policy
we could not permit Japan to acquire terri
tory upon this hemisphere.
For hundred years the world has
acquiesced in this traditional principle which
has been interviewer in our history, and we
cannot and will not depart from it now The
English press are publishing, not as a mat
ter of speculation. but as a statement of
fact articles of which the following from
the Yorkshire Post, published at Leeds, is an
example:
Mr.. Wilson has definitely abandoned
the Monroe Doctrine. 1t is admitted that
unless the Monroe Doctrine is finally
abandoned by the United States the for
nation of league of nations is impos-
sibe. 1t would be ridiculous to attempt
sit"
The need, therefore of writing into the
proposed constitution, not by mere infer
ence or interlneary Interpretation, but by a
posltive ringing declaration and reafirma-
zion our undoubted position with regard to
the Monroe Doctrine is vitally essential
Believe me, with great respect,
Very truly yours,
SELDEN p SPENCER,
Washington, March 20.
(Mr Spencer Republican, was elected
last fall to the Senate from Missouri to sue