The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-14

WASHINGTON, July tt-Praising the
league OF nations as "one OF the worlds
greatest documents Senator Swanson,
OF Virginia, Democratic member OF
the foreign relations committee, told
the senate today that II the United
States rejected the league Y would
mean that she would skulk In the great
est world crisis that ever occurred,
The speaker defended the league
against the objection that Y
would sacrifice sovereignty and Amer
the contrary II would result IN immense
material gain In protecting American
integrity and preventing war He de-
Clared II would not create super
government, involve Objectionable obli-
cations nor invalldate the Monroe doc
trlne
"The pathway Of our duty ls plain"
said Senator Swanson, Let us not be
frightened by our own prodigious
shadow rs 1t projects itself into world
affairs. Let us not he deferred from
our manifest duty and destiny by a
craven fear OF becoming great In Civ
ing service and direction to n world In
the dlrest hour Of it's needs and dis
tress"
Pointing out that the war had sha-
ken the social order TO its foundation,
the virginia senator said II was the
paramount obligation of responsible
statesmen to prevent another such CON
flagration, which would return the
world ito the rule OF brute force and
barbarism Of the dark ages"
1.-THE covenant of the league has been
assailed from two opposite sources" he
continued. "The league win neither he
a superstate nor sovereign, nor n help
less, powerleBs association Of nations,
The instrument creating the league is
covenant entered into by sovereign
states. one OF the attributes of SOW
ereignty Ia the ability to make cove
nants or agreements. That a state re-
serves It's full sovereignty Is conclusive
ly settled by the provision allowing any
member to withdraw, No nation, super
or otherwise, ever thus expressly pro-
vided means for its dissolution
Is Only Treaty.
This covenant, II ratified by the SEN
ate, would be no more nor less than n
treaty leRaliged under our constitution
Tho plan for the formation of the
league Is skillfully conceived, and the
only one possible under existing poiti-
cal conditions,
composed OF representatives Of the
members, who will be selected in ac-
cordance with the laws Of the respect
i've states In the case OF the United
states, the representatives, being Off
GERS created by treaty would be ap-
pointed M provided by an act OF con-
gress, Much opposition has been urged
because great nation like the United
States has only one vote In the as
sembly. But what difference does the
number Of votes make when upon all
important matters the action of the
assembly must be unanimous, or have
the unanimous concurrence of the coun-
ell, upon which the United States Is
permanently represented?
THE league could never he organized
on any basis other than Of equal repre- =
srntation. II members were accorded
difference In representation, upon what
basis should the appointment be made
II upon population. China and India
would dominate the league and the
United states would have only one-fif-
teenth OF the number. II based upon
wealth and military power, the situa-
| tion would be equally as uncertain and
unsatisfactory,
What better plan for disarmament
could be devised? The council is direct
| ed to prepare general plan of disarma.
ment for the consideration of the gov
ernments, 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 up must have the sanction OF
congress, which Is intrusted under the
constitution with the power OF raising
armies and equipping the navy.
| Under article 10 each member OF the
| league undertakes, first, to respect the
territorial integrity and political indie
pendence OF all other members OF the
| league. When the nations OF the world
| sobered by sorrow and suffering, are
willing to raise their hands and take
this solemn pledge, are we sulenly and
\ stubbornly to stand aside and become
a stumbling block In the way OF this
noble achievement? DO any of them
| have posse ssions that we view with
covetous eyes and propose to seize and
| annex?
| ''The second obligation assumed by
| each member is to preserve as against
external aggression the territorial in
| tegrity and existing political independ-
ence of all mpmbers OF the league. This
| Is a natural corollary from tho first. In
the former we undertake not to rob our
| associates ourselves, and In this we
agree not to permit others to do so.
| This guarantee OF territorial integrity
and political Independence is limited
to those cases where they are threat
ened or attacked by external aggres-
sion and does not apply to revolution
within a nation. A nations internal af-
fairs are left nndisturbed. Nationality
with its vital stimulating patriotism,
would be preserved given new life and
| opportunity.
| Thoughtful persons recognize the
Importance OF giving such a guarantee
now, at least for = limited period, II