The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-17
DEFENCE SOCIETY
FIGHTS CENSORSHIP
Sends Appeal to Wilson for
Free Exchange of Views
on League.
FOR PEACE TREATY FIRST
PRONUNCIATION Of American
Policies, Especially Monroe
Doctrine, Is Urged.

A petition asking for an Immediate
modification OF the cabie- censorship be-
tween America and Europe in order 10
permit free exchange of opinion be-
tween the United States and her Euro
pean allies on the question Of q League
Of Nations has been signed by the trus-
tees of the American Defence Society
and forwarded to President Wilson In
Paris. The petition also asks for the
prompt enactment OF peace treaty that
will BIO wholly separate from the cove
nant Of the proposed League OF Nations.
1t asks for the PRONUNCIATION Of the
fundamental policies OF the United
States. particularly with respect to the
Monroe Doctrine. and the right Of the
United States TO be the sole Judge Of the
measures necessary for her national de-
fence.
The petition calls for full disclosures
regarding Germany's spy system in the
United States and other countries allied
against Germany and further that Ger
many or any of her allies shall not be
admitted to membership in any asso-
citation or League of Nations until such
time as they have complied with all the
terms that may be imposed in the peace
treaty.
Points of Petition.
The petition as forwarded to the
President reads in part:
TN view of the world disorder which
has followed the attempt TO institute a
League Of Nations without making
peace, and in view of the marked differ
ences which have arisen as to the par
ticular plan for n league which was
tentatively put forward at Paris, and
in view Of the fact that It Is now uni
versally conceded that 1t must be
amended and changed, and in view OF
the fact that more time will be lost 20
the ever growing peril of those great
world interests which the Peace Con-
ference at Paris has been assembled to
safeguard, the American Defence So
ciety believes the President OF the United
States should take all necessary steps
and exert his utmost endeavors:
To obtain prompt agreement, wholly
apart from any League Of Nations. upon
the terms of peace and the adoption of
q treaty of such nature as will render
the outlaw nation Germany and her out
law allies. Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria
and Turkey powerless to make war for
a long period OF time.
And Il respectfully points out that
the terms of peace should embrace and
provide for (a) the personal punishment
OF German. Austrian. Bulgarian and
Turkish military criminals. and a full
disclosure OF the German spies and ennis
saries since August /, 1914. as we'll In
n in tnA oil
and neutral nations. o. Full repara-
ton for and full restitution to the IN
vaded lands, with the exacting OF the
cost OF the war from the outlaw nations
and provisions for the prompt payment.
or the working out thereof, OF as large a
part thereof as may be possible within
the next fifty years, with a guarantee
OF performance by such occupation of
their territories and control of their |
finances and resources as will secure
the same.
For Modification of Censorship.
"It further respectfully petitions that |
OF cables between America |
and Europe be so modified as to permit |
the full opinions of France, England. |
Italy and of the United States to be- |
come reciprocally known concerning the |
details OF any proposed plan to lessen |
future wars that there may be q full |
OF views thereon whereby |
whatever plan is ultimately adopted will |
be- one openly arrived at and under |
assented to and therefore the |
more likely to endure.
1T also respectfully urges that am
Pile time be provided for the full dis |
,ussion in this country of any such pro-
posed plan to lessen the probability Of |
future wars. in order that the people |
IF this country shall have such afore-
'aid full opportunity to enter into the |
'ame understandingly, and to the end
hat they shall not in any event be
confronted with proposals which they
nay deem repugnant to the traditions |
md to the best interests OF the United
,tatesn