Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-02-28


national existence also should be ex-
cluded from the leagues jurisdiction
he said. adding:
There should be some definite
provision for peaceful withdrawal
from the league of any nation that
desires to withdraw.
Wants Definite Statement
Let us have a definite staten ent
as to whether the league is to have
an international force of its own or
is to have the power to summon the
armed forces of the different MEM
bers.
Let 1t be stated in plain language
whether the measures, the recon-
mendations' or suggestions of the eX-
ecutive council are to be binding
on members and are to compel them
10 do what the league delegates and
executive council determine"
Upholds Monroe Doctrine
unless some better constitution
Tor league than this can be drawn
1t seems tV me X X y that
the worlds peace will be much better
much more surely promoted by all
lowing the United States to go under
the Monroe Doctrine, responsible for
the peace of this Hemisphere, with
out any danger of collision with Eu-
rope as to questions. among the va
rious American states. and if a league
is desired it might be made up by
the European nations whose inter-
ests are chiefly concerned and with
which the United States could CO.
operate fully and at any time. when
ever cooperation is needed.
1t must also be remembered that
mi tnI 1.,.,.
of nations. it does so for the benefit
or the world at large and not for it's
own benefit. If we join a league it
must be with the view of maintain
ing peace in Europe, where all the
greatest wars have originated. Our
share In any league must be wholly
for the benefit of Others"
Declaring that the tentative con-
stitution is open to amendment and
change, being merely a committee re-
port. Senator Lodge said it should be
widely considered and discussed to
give the peace conferees complete
opinions.
Hastily Drafted and Crude
AS 1t stands" he said, there is
serious danger that the very nations
which sign the constitution will
quarrel about the meaning of the
various articles before twelve
months has passed. 1t seems to have
been very hastily drafted and the
result is crudeness and looseness of
expression.
Before we ratify, the terms and
language must be as exact and as
precise, Is free from any possibility
of conflicting interpretations as 1t
is possible to make them. The eX-
PLANTATION of Interpretation of any
of these doubtful passages is not
sufficient if made by one man, wheth-
er that man be the President of the
United States, Senator or any one
else"
To Abandon Washington Policy
We abandon entirely the policy
laid down by Washington in his fare
well address and the Monroe Doc
trine. 1t is worse than idle it is
not honest to evade or deny this fact.
In the twinkling of an eye, while
passion and emotion reign the Wash
ington policy is to be entirely laid
aside and we are to enter on a per-
manent and indissoluble alliance.
Under the terms of this league
draft the Monroe Doctrine disap-
pears. / have seen it said that the
Monroe Doctrine is preserved under
Article ten; that we don't abandon
the Monroe Doctrine we merely ex
tend it to all the world. How any
one can say this passes my compre-
hension. Under this draft American
questions and Asian and African
questions are all alike put within the
control and jurisdiction of the
league"
Sees Peril in Program
Criticising the territorial guaran-
tee provision, Senator Lodge said
that the United States would join in
the obligation to maintain all ma
uonal boundaries everywhere, which
he said, was "a very grave, a very
perilous promise to make" 1t would
require, he said. constant possession
OF fleets and armies, and added:
There is no need of urging wheth-
er there is to be compulsivc forces
behind this league. 1t is there in
Article ten absolutely and entirely
in their guarantees"
Senator Lodge questioned whether
the proposed draft really makes for
harmony among the nations or will
tend TO produce dissension ana COLI
troversy."
I'VE all desire peace" he said. but
in our zeal for peace. we must be
careful not to create new obligations
and new and untried conditions
which may lead to fostering war
rather than peace"