Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-17
Favoring League Principles
Only, Senator Colt Asserts,
"We Must See 1t Through


"We Must See 1t Through"
Announcing his support of the prin-
ciples embodied in the league of ma
tions covenant. but withholding Judg-
rnent regarding certain reservations,
Senator Colt, republican. Rhode Island,
told the Senate today that the nation
must at least see the great under
taking upon which we have EMBARK ed
in entering the war through to the
end, which can only be done by our
becoming member OF the league
The Rhode Island senator declared
himself unable to agree with the ob-
jections that the league would Gre
ate a super-state subvert the
American Constitution. He said,
however, that the Monroe doctrine
must be clearly safeguarded and do
mestic questions left for national ac
ton.
Defines League.
sence is simply an association of free
nations he said.
The principle of international CO.
operation as the means by which in
ternational peace can be made secure
has never been tried before. All
other means of preventing war have
failed. Not to try this experiment
would leave the world in the same
condition of international anarchy as
| it was before the war. There is no
antagoniSm between true nationalism
and an internationalism which would
| substitute the reign of law for the
reign of force.
"If we believe that it would be dis
| honorable to withdraw from Europe at
! this time. to desert France, England
and Italy in this critical hour when the
whole world is in a turmoil. then the
United States should certainly remain
| in the league during this world settle
| ment and until peace and order are re-
stored. To my mind we must at least
see the great undertaking upon which
! we embarked in entering the war
| through to the end. and. as a part of
this undertaking, We must help TO re-
establish new world order by the en-
forcement of the terms of peace. which
can only be done by our becoming a
member of the league of nations.
People Want Something Done.
II believe the great mass of the
American people are convinced that
something must be done to prevent
| future wars. They want something
done. They do not want to leave the
! world in its old condition. and they
| favor the league of nations, based upon
international cooperation, as the best
solution of the problem. ] am in favor
| Of the principles embodied in the league
of nations. This does not mean that |
have reached decision that the league
should be ratified in the precise form in
! which It is now presented.
League and Treaty Inseparable. :"
There has been much controversy
over the question whether the league
should not be separated from the
peace treaty. 1 have always believed
the league to be inseparable from the
peace treaty because the treaty can
not be enforced except through the
league. The peace treaty leaves the
world on fire, with national aspra-
tons unsatisfied, territorial limits I'M
defined. racial conflicts impending.
and with incipient wars already start
ed If it is unthinkable for US to
desert England. France and Italy
when the world is in chaos. we must
become member of the league as
providing the only machinery for the
restoration of peace and order.
The provisions of the league with
respect to arbitration or investiga-
ton and report have been criticised
as not strong enough, but they clearly
will tend to prevent war
LAS to the general objection that the
league creates u Superstate and
hence is destructive of our independ-
ence and sovereignty. l am unable TO
see the force of the arguments in
support of this proposition. super
state cannot be formed when every
material power that is exercised by
the league requires the unanimous
consent of the executive council or of
the delegates.
Sees No Constitutional Objection.
Nor am / impressed with the con-
stitutional objections. The treaty.
making power under the Constitution
is of the broadcast character and it
includes everything that is properly
covered by the term treaty and is not
in conflict with some express provision
of the Constitution.
Il believe the popular sentiment is
universal, and l certainly share it,
that the Monroe doctrine should be
clearly safeguarded. l also believe
that domestic questions, like immi-
grafton which, in some of their as
poets, may be international, should
be properly safeguarded. The storm
center of these reservations seems to
be article y.
Discusses Article K.