Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-11-06
WAR BY POPULAR VOTE

The proposal that war shall not be declared except
By popular vote. which Senator Core sought inenectively
to have Incorporated in the League Of Nations constitu-
ton as an amendment. rs not original with him, rs it has
been proposed in several quarters, and has had moro or
kas support. II
II We could eliminate the element Of emergency, and
could regulate with certainty tho conduct Of Ill nations.
such q provision might work out Wen enough IN practice,
Y there were any need for it. It. does not seem to have
occurred to the advocates Of such a provision that # tho
league can enforce a requirement that a nation take a
popular vote before going to war, it could dispense with
that bit of machinery altogether merely by decreeing
that nations should not go to war. That will come, some
day. but as the case stands now the nations are not will
ing to submit to having their liberty to fight circum-
scribed in any such manner. The only basis on which
a world league was possible at this time was that each
nation should retain the right to go to war az a last re-
sort. efforts to compose the differences having failed
meanwhile.
The means which the league has for enforcing the
delay for which it provides lie in the substantial declara-
tion OF purpose to which the signatories assent, that Of
lending nations ought to be subjected to economic isola-
ton, and, If need be, to the application of force. such
isolation and such force to be applied in consequence of
the voluntary. acceptance by the affected nations OF the
recommendations made by the unanimous vote Of the
league council. That is the substance Of the provisions
relating to this subject. But the stznatory powers do not
~"" SAA9'S Az AhAu8 SUCH CuOn z my q q neeQo0
in a given case, to follow any prescribed form, such as
the taking OF a popular vote. That would require them
to stand still while the offending power strained every
nerve to gain the advantage which lies in the first great
offensive. Such a provision would play directly into
the hand Of any power which chooses. at a moment when
the world is unexpectant and unprepared, to break the
peace.
There is a further objection to the plan in that It
would be a direct invasion Of the sovereignty Of the In
dividual state in a field where most states consider the
right of independent action vital The league constitu-
ton contemplates that for the repression and control of
an unruly member each other nation. acting In pursu-
ance of a common agreement. and toward a common
end, may declare war.t But the procedure which it shall
follow is left entirely to the nation itself. II the people
Of ono country desire that such acts shan be performed
in their name and on their behalf By the reisninx mon
arch. the league raises no objection. II it IL desired by
the people OF another country that such acts shall bs
performed By q representative body. - Is the case In this
country. the league constitution provides nothins to the
contrary. And II any people should decree that 5ts dec
laFahons Of war shall be made only BY ! popular vote.
that win be entirely in accord with the league acons&ttu-
ton. The manifest intent Of the constitution = Inst eaeh
aation shall retain fun freedom Of action In is own nsl4.
and this includes the selection. Of IL form Of govsrnuaent
and the superintendent Of governmental poverx