The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-30
WALSH UNABLE TO
JUSTIFY COVENANT
Democratic Authority Makes
Damaging Admissions Dur
ing Debate.
BoRAH POINTS TO DEFECTS
Shows United States Might
Have to Indorse Territorial
Aggressions.
specia, Despatch 10 The sus

Special Despatch TO THE sus.
WARRINGTON, Sept 20. - Senator
walsh (Mont.), the Democrat on whom
the Administration forces have relied
perhaps more than on any other Senator
for defence Of the League Of Nations
on purely constitutional and legal
grounds, in the course Of debate to-day
made series Of admissions which were
regarded as of the utmost Importance.
They concerned the practical outworix-
ings Of Article x. Of tho covenant under
which the nations bind themselves 20
respect and protect the territorial IN
tegrity and political sovereignty Of one
another. Mr.. Walsh in a colloquy with
Senator Borah (Idaho) expressed the
opinion that II this nation were called
upon to assist in protecting the terri
torial integrity of another Power II
would have no right. under the league
covenant, to inquire whether the coun-
try seeking protection in its territorial
holdings had come by those holdings
through just, moral and proper methods.
The fact that It held the territory and
that its tenure was threatened by ex-
ternal aggression would be all that Con-
gress would be entitled to know.
The admission was not made until the
close of a tortuous discussion. Mr..
Walsh has repeatedly insisted during
previous debates that under Article x
the American Government would not be
bound to act upon the recommendations
Of the league council without first sitting
as Judge of the conditions and circum-
stances In which we were asked to inter-
vene. In other words, he has maintained
that the league could not compel the
United States to 60 to war. The Ameri-
can constitutional processes of declaring
war and determining what this country
would employ would be in his view pre-
earved.
Differs From Colleagues.
Not all of Mr.. walshs Democratic
colleagues have agreed with his views
that 30 large an independence of 5udg-
ment and action would be left to the
United States.
Mr.. Borah charged that under this
agreement recently published Persia in
effect has lost her independence and
been annexed to the British empire.
Senator Hitchcock (Neb.) denied this
and declared that even the text of the
agreement between Great Britain and
Persia declared specifically that Persia
remained an independent Power.
Moreover" he said. "the treaty Of
peace before Us attests this, for Persia
~ an independent Power. Is made q
member Of the League Of Nations"
Mr.. Borah insisted that Persia has
become a part of the British Empire
and demanded to know where the United
States would stand II decade hence
Persia would rise against British control
and should enlist the aid OF Germany to
regain her independence Would the
United States Government, he asked, be
at liberty to inquire into the honorable
ness, justice and fairness of the meth
DDS by which Great Britain obtained
Persia as part of the empire2
Senator Walsh declared that Article
x requires the United States to do,
when called on by the League Council.
whatever Is necessary on its part, but
only to do II as It decides IL necessary
and IN Its own manner
Says o. 9. Would Decide.
1T win decide" he said. whether
the territorial integrity of the British
Empire is In fact assailed and then will
decide what particular steps II will take
to redeem its obligation It could, for
instance, decline to declare war, but to
apply instead economic pressure.
ut cannot go further" he said. "than
to inquire II territorial integrity has
been assailed, because the very purpose
OF the league is to put an end to all
wars by forcing the submission of all
controversies to arbitration"
You are organizing In this league"
said Mr.. Borah. "a tribune to support
the traditional process by which the
monarchs of Europe have for many CEN
turtles assumed the right to acquire ter
ritory regardless Of the wishes, interests
or rights Of the inhabitants Egypt 10
the complete illusjration. Of how It has
worked In 1882 Britain assumed a re-
lationship to Egypt which she gave the
world assurance was to be temporary
and not to interfere with the entire in
dependence OF Egypt
but In 1919 Egypt is declared a pro
tectorate-annexed to the British EN-
pire-and that annexation is confirmed
by this treaty. II ten years hence Egypt
shall be attacked Congress cannot In
quire into the moral rights of Englands
tenure OF IT.: only into the question OF
whether England does hold It and wheth-
er its hold has been assailed. II these
two things are proved the United States
Is morally obligated to help England to
retain her grip of It"
Mr.. Walsh was of the opinion that the
United States would have no authority
under the covenant to inquire into the
Justice or morals Of highlands claim on
Persia.