The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-05
CRITICS OF LEAGUE
ANSWERED BY TAFT
Ex-President Takes Up Objec-
tions Made by Lodge
and Others.
SEES DANGER IN DISCORD
No American Rights Endan-
gered by Covenant, He Tells
Opera House Audience.

William II. Taft, former President
and head OF the League to Enforce
Peace. speaking at the Metropolitan
Opera House last night. said:
I'VE are here tonight In sight OF a
League of Peace. OF what have ever
regarded as the Promised Land Such
a war as the last is q hideous blot on
our Christian civilization. The incon-
sistency is az foul as was slavery under
the Declaration of independence. II
Christian nations cannot now be brought
into a united effort to suppress a recur-
renee, 1t will be shame to modern
society
This covenant of Paris bears on Its
face the evidences that II Is the result
of compromise that 1t has been pro-
duced by an earnest effort OF the Presl-
dent and other representatives OF the
nations who have won this war and
thereby have made themselves ra;pon-
sble for future peace TO adopt machinery
through which the peace now to be
formulated may be maintained and the
united force OF the nations making the
treaty can be directed to discouragng
war.
Limitation of Armnments,
THE first important covenant with
reference to peace and war in the con-
stitution of the league is that looking
to reduction Of armament by all ma
tons The executive council, consisting
OF a representative from the United
States. the British Empire. France.
Italy and Japan, and with a represen-
tative each from four nations to be Sc
lected by the body of delegates. is TO
consider how much the ornaments of
the nations should be limited and re-
ductd. having regard to the safety of
each of the nations and their obliga-
tons under the league.
Having reached a conclusion as to
the proportionate limit OF each nations
armament, it submits its conclusion to
each nation. which may or may not
agree to the limit thus recommended but
when an agreement is reached between
ration and the Executive Council. II
covenants to keep within that limit un-
I'll by application to the executive coun-
ell, the limit may be raised. In other
words. each nation agrees to its own
Limitation. Having so agreed, IL must
keep within II.
The character OF this obligation is
affected by the time during which the
covenants Of the league continue to bind
is In my judgment, there should be
period OF ten years or permission
for any member OF the league to with
draw from the covenant by giving
reasonable notice of one or two years
OF Its intention to do SO.
For Peaceful Settlement.
The members OF the league and the
non-members are required. the former
by their covenant. the latter by enforced
obligation. to submit all differences be-
tween them not capable OF being settled
by negotiation. to arbitration before a
tribunal composed as the parties may
agree. They are required to covenant
to abide the award Should either party
deem the question one not proper for
arbitration, then 1t is to be taken up by
the executive council of the league.
The executive council mediates be-
tween the parties and secures volun-
tary settlement Of the question IL pos
sible II not. 1t makes a report. II the
report Is unanimous. the executive coun-
ell is to recommend what shall be done
TO carry into effect its recommendation.
II there is n dissenting vote. then the
majority report is published. and the
minority report. II desired, and no fur
Their action Is taken. II either party or
the executive council itself desires, the
med!ating function is to be discharged
by the body of delegates in which every
member of the league has one vote.
There Is no direction as to what shall
be done with reference to the recommen-
dalton of proper measures 10 be taken
and the whole matter is then left for
such further action as the members Of
the league agree upon. There Is no
covenant by the defeated party that 1t
will comply with the unanimous report
OF the executive council or the body OF
the league
And right here I wish 10 take up the
objection made TO the league that under
this machinery We might he compelled
to receive Immigrants contrary to our
national desire. from Japan or China
We could and would refuse to submit
the issue TO arbitration. It would then
go to mediation In my Judgment. In
my Judgment. the ccunci, as n med!atlng
body should not take Jurisdiction to con-
slider such difference. Immigration
by international law is a domestic ques-
ton completely within the control OF the
Government into which immigration Is
sought unless the question OF mmigra-
ton Ia the subject Of treaty stipulation
between two countries.
senator Lodges Resolution.
"a proposed resolution in the Senate
recites that the constitution OF the
League OF Nations in the form now pro-
posed should not be accepted by the
United States. although tho sense OF the
Senate is that the nations OF the world
should unite to promote peace and gem
eral disarmament. The resolution further
recites that the negotiations on the part
of the United Safes should inme6+a tefy
be directed to the utmost expedition OF
the urgent business of negotiating peace
terms with Germany satisfactory to the
United States and tho nations with
whom the United States Is associated in
the war against the German Government
and that the proposal for a League of
Nations to insure the permanent peace
of tho world should then be taken I'D
for careful and serious consideration.
"It Is said the resolution will be sup
ported by thirty-seven members OF the
new Senate and thus defeat the con-
flrmation OF any treaty which includes
the present proposed covenant OF Paris
The authority under the Constitution