The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-25
THE SHUTS DRAFT.
The Covenant Examined IN tho Light
Of British Diplomacy.

OF British Diplomacy.
To THE Eprros OF THE sur-Str: DID
the British diplomats who framed the
constitution for the proposed League Of
Nations expect that whom II should be
presented TO US through the good offices
Of our altruistio President II would be
acceptable to the American people7
1,think not
England, following an ancient dip,o-
matio device, framed the leagues con-
stitution 20 that II contained certain
Objectionable features she was perfectly
willing should be eliminated at the
proper time The purpose OF course was
to have the opposition spend It's
strength on those features.
It seems improbable that English
statesmen have entertained the slightest
idea that the United States would con-
sent to abandon the Monroe Doctrine.
But they foresaw that the omission to
affirm the Monroe Doctrine in the pro-
posed constitution would prove 80
fiagrantly Objectionable that other
features, fully as important and equally
as Objectionable. would BE- lost sight of.
With the country crying I'VE want
a lasting peace: We are willing, II need
be. to enter . league Of nations under
certain conditions but we will never
consent to abandon the Monroe Doc
| trine," England Eraciously replies
Very well; you may have your Monroe
Doctrine. And now. since you have won
| a great American victory. let us gather
round the table and sign the articles
at once"
II British statesmen should succeed
in accomplishing this. what q ire
mendous triumph would be theirsi
For the Monroe Doctrine is now OF
| little interest, comparatively, to Eng
land. She 10 quite content with her
possessions in the New World. She IL
| also quite content with her possessions
in the Old World.
What bothers England 10 . secret
fear of her ability to keep what she
already has in view of the new social
forces arising in eastern Europe. VIVA,
she wants IL the strongest possible
combination or league OF nations or
ganixed for tho declared purpose OF
maintaining the status to DO nxed and
| established by tho Paris conference.
With her possessions in every part
of the world and her navy In contro
of the seas she would inevitably be the
leagues dominant force. She would
bestride tho narrow world like @
Colossus.
British diplomacy has never shon,
with greater brilliance than It doe,
to-day.
| England has bent woodrow Wilson
to her will in every instance where N
interests.
But yesterday he was the avowet
champion of q peace without victory
to-day he sits at the peace table II
accord with the statesmen Of the Ok
World. who. sternly and with ancien
Justice. will parcel out the fruits o.
victory.
But yesterday he espoused tho free
dom of the seas; to-day he sits dumi
In the presence Of the lords of TIT
British feet.
| But yesterday he stood for "opel
covenants OF peace. openly arrived at"
to-day he sits in secret conference
denying TO his own countrymen in
formation as to what is Transporting IL
Europe and concealing from the peopl'
OF Europe knowledge as to what II
going on In his own country.
l But yesterday he was the herald o
a new dawn proclaiming the self
determination Of all peoples to-day Ire
land. still struggling for the right o
self-determination after centuries o
overlordship, stretches out her hands Z
him in vain.
/ England's sons should be proud o
England. and still prouder should the!
be II they live to see her take from u
by diplomacy what we wrested from he
by force OF arms in the War OF tn
Revolution. SIMON CREBL-
| ALBANY, March "a.