Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-03-02
FALL AND THE LEAGUE.

C. NJ, Bolts hands the Journal, with
the request that it print, the following
copy of a letter to Senator Fall re-
garding the proposed league of ma
tons:
a live at Carload, y. NJ, where I
am engaged in the business Of raising
thoroughly Rambouillet sheep. AS
one of your constituents l think it
proper that I should inform you con-
corning my views on the league of ma
tons, The question of its ratification
by the senate is, to my mind, of the
utmost importance; it overshadows
all other political issues today. And
am hoping that it will not be fought
out on partisan lines.
"For my part | think it would be
very unfortunate should this measure
fail of ratification in the senate. TO
be frank, though my father and have
been lifelong republicans, we could
neither of us support a candidate or
a party that had taken a stand against
world organization. | have observed,
too, that everyone with whom | have
talked on the subject has been hearth
ly in favor of the league. ! sincerely
senators will vote in its favor"
While the Journal holds no brief
for Senator Fall and has no knowl-
edge of just what position he will
take regarding the league of nations,
it is fair to guess that he will stand
firmly opposed to such league unless
there is first of ali a clear understand
ing of just what obligations this ma
ton would assume upon joining such
league.
We are in favor of a league of ma
tions, just as we are all opposed to
war. But we found not long ago that
war was preferable to its alternative,
dishonorable peace. We would like a
league of nations. provided such
league would not cost US more in the
surrender of our national rights than
we could afford to pay for an expert
ment.
In discussing the constitution pro-
posed for the league of nations, it
will be helpful to draw the line be-
tween constructive criticism and mere
invective, partisan or otherwise.
President Wilson is an idealist--a
high idealist, we must agree--but an
idealist is seldom practical. Already
he has yielded his idealistlc concep-
tons at many points He is now be-
ing subjected to pressure by practical
thinkers, who refuse TO so with him
until they know where he is going.
Senator Fall is a practical thinker.
The establishment of a league Of
nations is not the simple thing theor-
lists would have us believe. 1t is well
to discuss frankly, but IN the spirit of
| cooperation, a project for making
| peace permanent among the nations.
1t is not a partisan question, though
the president tried to make the war
partisanly- one.
| From the American point of view
| league of nations is a good thing, if
| it does not vitality alter fundamental
conditions essential to our national
! independence, IL we are not COulpelleu
to assist in policing the Old World
On the other hand, the United states
! cannot well impose conditions for
world peace that it is not willing to
! underwrite for it's own just share in
tho work,
Let all enthusiasts over the league
of nations project get a firm grip or
the fact that it is not incumbent or
the United States to approve or re.
ject the agreement in its present
shape. 1t must be remembered thai
the constitution the president brought
back with him is a rough draft, ant
not a finished instrument. 1t IS sub.
ject to change and amendment, forma
notice to that effect having beer
served by Italy and Japan before j
was tentatively approved.
The constitution of the Society o
Nations must be interpreted, so tina
we shall understand clearly what W.
are binding ourselves to do. befor,
approval by the senate Of the United
States. 1t might be wise for it to b,
held in allegiance until after it ha
been discussed throughout the presi
dental campaign Of 1920.