The sun., 1919-02-20
B0RAH CALLS ON
TAFT TO GUARD
MONROE PLEDGE
Asks Him Whether He Will
Urge Its Exception in
League Plan.
POINTS TO HAGUE ACTION
Senator Reminds Him COnven-
ton of 1907 Protected
Vital Doctrine.

cpeCtut DespufCH 70 oUN'
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-Senator Will
lam f. Borah Qdaho) took acute issue
to-day with ex-President Taft's pro-
npuncement that the constitution Of
the League of Nations as produced in
the Peace Conference did not abrogate
the Monroe Doctrine.
Senator Borah suggested to Mr.. Taft
that in view OF the statements which
were recently Incorporated In the Con-
oressionul Record on the motion Of
Senator Williams (Miss) to the effect
that the proposed league was not SUBJ
versive of the Monroe Doctrine there
could of course be no objection to an
amendment to that document which
would set forth that nothing therein
contained should be regarded as abro-
eating or nullifying the doctrine which
has been the guiding rule Of American
conduct in the affairs OF the Western
Hemisphere for a century.
Text of Borah's Letter.
The Senator's reply to Mr. Taft's
presentation Of his argument took the
form of an open letter, in which the
Idaho statesman said:
my DEAR Mr.. TAFT: In a statement
made to the press and which was in
corporated In the Congressional Record
you are quoted as saying that the pro-
posed constitution OF the League of Ma
tions saves the Monroe Doctrine On
the other hand, Mr.. Aranha. Brazilian
diplomat and late Ambassador at. The
Hague, declares The Monroe Doctrine,
as ] see it. Is destroyed by the new
league. There is no Longer any reason
why the United States should attempt
| to protect the republics of the New
| World
"A despatch to THE NEW YORK sun
| from Paris states that the belief In
| France is that the league destroys the
Monroe Doctrine Leading journals in
England have declared to the same ef-
! feet l have conversed with number
| of lawyers of the country. most OF whom
! agree that the league and the Monroe
Doctrine cannot exist together, and all
with whom I have spoken agree that
the matter is left in great doubt.
opposite views OF the question. The
] proposition which l submit to you Is
why should so great a matter be left
in doubt when three lines added to the
constitution excepting this important
policy Of ours from the jurisdiction OF
the league will place the whole subject
| beyond contention or cavil?
! III the advocates of the league in the
L Now
roe Doctrine. will they offer any objec-
tion to writing in this proposed consti-
| tuition an exception or reservation clause
which will preserve II beyond question
| II they are not willing TO make the ex-
! ception clear are we not entitled to pre-
sumo that they are willing 10 see the
Monroe Doctrine sacrificed?
Proof of Their Attitude.
"If England, France. Japan and Italy
do not want to destroy the Monroe Doc
trlne they will readily consent to ths
reservation. II they do not consent Il
| will be sufficient proof to all that they
| wish 10 destroy it and believe that thi:
league constitution accomplishes tha
! fact--a sufficient justification TO war
! rant the American people in insisting
| upon unmistakable language to pre-
| serve it.
"ThA arbitration constitution Of Th'
Hague conference OF 1877. As you VII
| recall, expressly reserved this cardina
principle of our foreign policy in thu
following language:
Nothing contained in this convention
shall he so construed as to require th'
United States OF America to depart from
its traditional policy OF not intrudinl
upon, interfering with or entangling II
| self in the political questions OF polio!
or internal administration of any for
eign State. nor shall anything contained
in the said convention be construed Il
imply a REIMBURSEMENT by the Unitet
| Continued on Third Page.