New-York tribune., 1919-06-22
Root Maps
Plan tOCurb
League Evils
Continued from page 1

drafting of his resolution with a view
to modifying it so as to bring in some
of the so-called doubtful Senators. es-
pecially Senators Spencer, of Mis-
souri,, Norris, of Nebraska, and others
who favor the general idea Of league,
but do not like many things about the
one proposed.
1t is now expected, however, tha,
the Republicans as a whole will aban-
don the effort to put through the
Knox resolution, and will ~content
themselves with a fight to adopt salts
factory reservations to protect the
interest of the United States when the
peace treaty is ratified.
Root Letter to Lodge
:, Following is Mr.. Roots letter to
Senator Lodge:
The Honorable Henry Cabot Lodge,
Washington. D. C.
MY Dear Senator: You were
good enough to ask that after
studying the whole of the pro-
posed treaty with Germany and the
amendments already made to the.
league of nations part of it l should
write you my opinion as to the
amendments and as to the action
which would be wise, in view of ex-
listing international conditions.
II should be glad to see the peace
terms and the league of nations COW
enant separated as proposed in the
resolution offered by Senator Knox,
SO that the latter could be consid-
cred by the people of the country
without coercion from the necessities
of speedy peace.
TO avoid repetition, I inclose a
copy of letter which 1 wrote to Mr..
Will H. Hays March 20, 1919, pro-
posing amendments to the league of
nations covenant and giving the
reasons for them. Amendments SIM
liar in substance were proposed at
about the same time by many Amer
leans familiar with public affairs.
both in and out of the Senate. The
amendments subsequently, made in
the covenant by the Paris Conference,
while to some extent dealing with
the subjects of the amendments so
proposed. are very inadequate and
unsatisfactory.
Judicial Phase Declared Weak
Nothing has been done to provide
strengthening of a system of arbi-
tration or judicial decision upon
questions of legal right. Nothing
has been done toward providing for
the revision or development Of in
ternational law. In these respects
principles maintained by the United
States without variation for half a
century are still ignored, and we are
le1t with a programme upon which
rests the hope of the world in fut-
ture peace IN government of men
and not of laws, following the die
tates of expediency and not of right.
Nothing has been done to limit the
vast and incalculable obligation
which Article x of the covenant un-
dertakes to impose upon each men,
Der OF the league to preserve against
external aggression the territorial
integrity and political independence
OF all members of the league all over
the world.
"The clause authorizing with
drawal from the league upon two
years notice leaves doubt whether
mere charge that we had not per-
ton would not put it in the power
OF the council to take jurisdiction
OF the charge as disputed ques-
ton and keep US in the league in
dennltely against our will
The clause which has been in
serted regarding the Monroe Doc
trlne is erroneous in its description
OF the doctrine and ambiguous in
meaning. Other purely American
questlons, as, for example, questions
relating to immigration, are pro-
tected only by clause apparently
empowering the council to determine
whether such questions are solely
within the domestic jurisdiction of
the United States. / do not think
ttat in these respects the United
States is sufficiently protected
against most injurious results which
are wholly unnecessary for the estab-
llshment and maintenance of This
league of nations.
Features of Pact Approved
On the other hand, it still re-
mains that there is in the covenant
great deal of very high value
which the world ought not to lose.
he arrangement to make confer
cnces OF the powers automatic when
mere IS danger of war; provisions
Tor joint action, as. of course, by
representatives of the nations con-
ccerned in matters affecting common
interests; the agreement for delay
IN case of serious disputes, with
oportunity to bring the public
opinion of the world to bear on the
'dlsputants, and to induce cool and
deliberate Judgment; the recognition
OF racial and popular rights to the
freedom of local government;
and the plan, indispensable in some
form, for setting up governments in
'ne vast regions deprived by the war
OF the autocratc rule which had
maintained order.-all these ought
not be lost, if that can possibly be
avoided. The condition of Europe
requires prompt action. Industry has
not revived there. It's revival re-
CURES raw materials. To obtain
these credit is necessary, and for
tins there must be security for the
fruits of enterprise, and for this
there must be peace Satan is finding
evil work for idle hands to do in
Europe-evl work that affects the
whole world, including these United
States.
Under these circumstances, what
Ol1Oh< he