The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-07-14
PATH OF DUTY
FOR US. PLAIN
Rejection of League of Ma
tionS Covenant Would Mean
Skulking in Crisis.
SWANSON BEFORE SENATE
Virginia Congressman Draws
Emphasizing Picture of Re-
lection of Alliance.

league OF nations covenant as one or
the worlds great documents" SEN
ator Swanson, of Virginia, a demo-
cratic member Of the foreign rela-
lions committee told the senate to-
day that If the United States re-
jected the league 1t would mean that
she would skulk in the greatest world
crisis that ever occurred"
In anticipation of general debate
upon the peace treaty, the galleries
were crowded when Senator Swan
son took the floor. A majority Of the
democratic members OF the senate
were also in their seats. but only a
few republican members were
present. Under an unanimous con-
sent agreement, however, the Vir-
ginia senator was not interrupted
during his speech.
The speaker defended the league
against the objection that 1t would
sacrifice sovereignty and American
traditions and asserted that on the
material gain in protecting American
integrity and preventing war. He de-
clared it would not create a super
governemnt, involve Objectionable
obligations nor invalidate the Mon
roe doctrine.
THE pathway Of our duty Is plain"
said Senator Swanson. Let us rot
be frightened by our own prodisioUs
shadow as it. projects itself into
world affairs. Let us not be deferred
from our manifest duty and destiny
by a craven fear of becoming great
in giving service and direction TO n
world in the direst hour of its needs
and distress"
Pointing out that the war had
shaken the social order to its found
alton, the Virginia senator said it
was the paramount obligation Of re-
sponsible statesmen to prevent an
other such conhagration, which
would return the world ito the rule
of brute force and barbarism Of the
dark ages"
THE covenant of the league has
been assailed from two opposite
sources" he continued. THE league
will neither be a super state nor
sovereign, nor a helpless, powerless
association of nations. The instru-
ment creating the league is a cove
nant' entered into by sovereign
states. One of the attributes of SOW
ereignty is the ability to make cove
nants or agreements. That a state
reserves its full sovereignty is con-
clusivelyt settled by the provision al
lowing any member to withdraw. No
nation, super or otherwise, ever thus
expressly provided means for its dis
solution.
LegaIized Under Constitution
This covenant, If ratified by the
senate, would be no more nor less
than treaty legalized under our
Constitution. The plan for the for
nation of the league is skilfullY CON
ceived, and the only one possible I'M
der existing political conditions.
1.-The assembly of the league will
he composed of representatives Of
the members, who will be selected in
accordance with the laws of the re-
spective states. In the case Of the
United States, the representatives be-
ing officers created by treaty, would
be appointed as provided by an act
of congress. Much opposition has
been urged because a great nation
like the United States had only one
vote in the assembly. But what diff
ference does the number Of votes
make, when upon all important mat
ters the action of the assembly must
he unanimous or have the unanimous
concurrence of the council upon
which the United States is pcrma-
nentlY represented?
"The league could never be organ
lied on any basis other than of equal
representation. If members were ac-
corded difference in representation,
upon what basis should the appor-
tionment he made? If upon popula-
ton. China and India would domi-
nate the league and the United
States would have only one fifteenth
Of the number. If based upon wealth
and military power. the situation
would be equally as uncertain and
unsatisfactory.
No Better Plan for Disarmament.
What better plan for disarma-
ment could be devised? The coun-
Gil is directed to prepare a general
plan Of disarmament for the con-
sideration of the governments, which
plan is not binding upon any Of the
states until approved by that state.
Under our government the proposed
plan, to be effective in binding us,
must have the sanction of congress,
which is intrusted under the Consti-
tuition with the power Of raising
armies and equipping the navy.
Under Article ten each member of
the league undertakes, first. to respect
the territorial integrity and political in
dependence of all other members of the
league. When the nations Of the world,