The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-01

neither signatories nor protocol states
and which must, to be admitted to the
league, be prepared to give certain eff
fective guarantees as to their inten-
ton to be bound by their International
obligations These latter are outcast
states and presumably include the
central powers and their allies in the
war.
Thus a league of nations in the
sense of all the nations is not created
by this document, nor are the states
members of the league treated as
equals
Term Is a Misnomer.
1.-THE term league is a MISSIONER in
another and really vital matter. For a
league denotes a confederation, and a con-
parties to withdraw at their will But
there is no right of secession within the
other hand, the association here provided
for is Il union in the full sense of that
term as applied to our political institu-
tions. Once in this union and we remain
there no matter how onerous its gigantic
burdens may become.
mo matter how great the distaste and
revulsion our people may have for it, we
must remain members until either We per-
suade all the states represented in the
executive council and three-fourths of those
represented in the body of delegates to
bid us depart in peace, or until the league
crumhles of its own weight or is de-
stroyed by its enemies, or until we fight
way out against the British empire,
France. Italy. Japan and all the lesser
states they are able to persuade to join
the league"
Critics All Bodies.
Senator Knox took up the six operative
| bodies of the league and criticised them
AS to the body of delegates Senator
KnoX's chief criticism that the con-
stituion contained no provisions for their
appointment, removal, compensation or ten
ure.
Senator Knox objected to the formation
of the executive council because it would
be CONFUSED of only nine of half a hundred
| states and practically would be given the
power TO declare war, make its own laws.
sit as a court and pass, Judgment and then
determine the means of enforcing, its
"A body clothed with powers such as
given to this council is an anachronism,' -
said Senator Knox ut belongs to the
| days of the Modes, and Persians. union
situations and trend of all civilized govern
ment could not be divided"
Provisions Are Indefinite.
Provisions for the mandatory commits
| sion Senator Knox thought were indefinite
as to organization and operation of the
bureau of labor he asked whether it wts
| the fHtent to put labor of all countries
| upon an equality.
! country may consider, in as much as
| France already has given notice it will
equality with American. whether it is pro
posed to bring American labor to the ieve
| of French labor in order that there may
! be equitable treatment OF the commerce OF
| the two countries"
Senator Knox assaiIed many of the Other
articles, adding that to his mind they held
| out assurance of future world war greater
| than any before.
| in this alleged instrument of peace,
| Senator Knox asserted, war is legaliZe(
| in seven cases and made compulsory IL
| three"
| Senator Knox said the provisions of tn,
| proposed league took away the right o
| congress to declare war. to raise armies
and support navy, and he declared tina
with war legalized by. the league this may
| spell overwhelming disaster
! Pause and consider that it is proposed,
/ said Senator Knox, Ito take from the socia
| organism not alone the right but the powe
of self defense. We shall stand not onl!
naked, but bound and helpless"