New-York tribune., 1919-02-27

have been, assuming its enforcement
If 1T had been adopted at the Other
periods of the worlds history. | an
thinking of all the years of the seven
teenth century, when such an agree
ment between England, France ana
SPAN confirmed by the remaining ma
tlons Of Europe respecting territorial
integrity in the North American con
tlnent, would have given Canada for
ever TO France, would have parti-
toned the territory of the United
States and OF Mexico among England
France and Spain, and would for ali
time have precluded the republic of
the United States.
Six or Seven World Bosses
"There is no student of history.
however dull of comprehension, who
does not know that the discord ri
vIIairy, and wars OF these three great
European powers made it possible for
our beloved country to emerge from
their struggles a free and independent
nation"
At this period Senator Hitchcock, of
Nebraska, Democrat, chairman of the
Foreign Relations Committee, inter
rupted to ask if it were not a fact
that Article X was only limited to
the signatory powers.
Il must assume" retorted Senator
Cummins, chat it is the ultimate pur-
pose to include all nations In inc
league"
Does it not mean," intericcted Sem
atOr Reed, of Missouri. that six or
seven nations are given the right to
boss the world?"
There can be no other construc-
ton" replied Senator Cummins.
Does the Senator from Nebraska"
again put in Senator Reed, "mean that
this is only intended to protect the
territorial integrity of member ma
tlons, and that all other nations shall
be prey to conquest by member ma
tlons? If so, what is this brand of
!deallsm we are studying?"
Would Be Mediator Also
The league" replied Senator Hitch
cock, sis dedicated to the preservation
OF peace, even among nations not mem
bers Of the league, but it does not
undertake to guarantee the territorial
integrity of nations not members. 1t
SIMPLY undertakes TO use it's agencies
TO ADJUST disputes outside the league"
senator Cummins continued:
"When | first read Article X was
could surpass it in repugnance to
good morals and the civilization of the
world; but am bound to admit that
Article XIX is the climax Of surrender.
rms article is not only bad in and
OF itself but it is the grossest viola
tlon OF our powers under the Consti-
tuition that hes ever fallen under NV
observation. The league is authorized
20 ISSUE a mandate requiring the United
states TO take possession and adminis-
Yer the affairs of Turkey, with an in
dehnlte territory both east and west
OF Constantinople This mandate will
command the United States to under
take the tutelage of the Turkish EN-
pre- until the people who live in this
UNCERTAIN territory are able to stand
by themselves under the strenuous con-
dltlons of the modern world
rms gigantic task is TO be assumed
upon the theory that the wellbeing
and development of such peoples form
sacred trust Of civilzation' This trus-
teeshlp may be for years or it may be
forever depending entirely upon the
Judgment or the league respecting our
success IN bringing these peoples up to
the high standards which the league
may demand for sef-governing copn
tries
Il confess to more amazcment when
I reject upon this proposal than ever
filled my mind before. 1t does not re-
quire a man trained in the STUDY of
the law to determine Instantly that the
people of the United States never gave
TO the President and Congress, or both.
the authority to do this thing. There
IS not semblance of power in the
oonstitutlon to perform such an act.
and the proposal is more inconsistent
II that can be, with the spirit of the
CONSTITUTION than with its letter.
10 INSIST that We can take posses
sion of the territory of any nation.
with its millions of people, simply to
act as the tutor of these people and to
police the country, solely to make the
lnhabltants better men and women, is
the widest fancy which ever entered
the human mind.
"But this is not all We are COM
mandcd to govern Turkey, not accord
ing to the laws which our authorities
may enact but to govern it's people, to
educate them, to train them, to make
them able to stand alone, under the
direction and according to the instruc-
tions of the league.
eve are thus not only to assume
the responsibility of governing Turkey
but we must attempt to do it in the
manner and degree required by the
league.
"Any one who has even casual knowl-
edge of the conditions prevailing in
the Turkish Empire knows that the
maintenance of order and the enforce
ment of the laws and for the tuteage
which will accomplish the endeavor will
require all army Of more than hun
drcd thousand men for many years to
come. 1t will require a civilian force
OF even more. The fathers and moth
ers of America will be asked to send