The sun., 1919-03-20

card IL but IL IL not ephemeral De-
cause II rests on two permanent facts,
human nature and geography.
THE Monroe Doctrine has been ex-
banded. Resolution was passed unani-
in the Senate a few years ago
stating that the United States would
regard It as an act OF hostility for any
other nation to take possession Of
Bay, being n post of great
naval and military advantage.
It did not rest on the Monroe Doctrine.
Il rested on something deeper than that.
It rested on the basis of the Monroe
Doctrine, the great law Of self-preserva-
ton.
They say that ~ we demand the ex-
clusion Of the Monroe Doctrine from
the operation OF the league. they will
demand compensation. Very we'll. Let
them exclude us from neddling in Eu-
rope.
Not Eager for ausrrels.
That IL not a burden that we are
seeking to hear. We are ready to 70
there at any time to save the world from
and tyranny but we are not
thirsting to interfere in every obscure
quarrel that may spring up in the
Balkans Mr.. Taft says that the cove
nant should be made more definite by
a larger reservation OF the Monroe Doc
trine.'
II agree entirely. I offer that as my
third constructive criticism that there
should be a larger reservation Of the
Monroe Doctrine, and when the leading
advocate of this draft takes that position
It seems to me IL cannot be very I'M
reasonable.
There is the question OF immigration
which this treaty reaches under the non
justiciable questions. 1 am told that a
final decision could only be reached by
unanimity. and IT 10 said that the league
would not be unanimous think that
highly probable, but ! deny the jurisdic-
ton. cannot personally accede to the
proposition that other nations, that q
body Of men in executive council where
we as n nation have but one vote, shall
have any power, unanimous or other
wise. to say who shall come into the
United States.
ut must not be within the Jurisdiction
OF the league At all II lies at the
foundation of national character and ma
tlonal well, being. There should be no
possible Jurisdiction over the power
which defends this country from a food
OF Japanese. Chinese and Hindu labor.
The tariff il involved in the article
for the boycott. The coastwise trade
Is involved in Article 81. I think we
ought to settle our own import duties.
They say II is a domestic question. so
1t Is. so Is immigration. but they are
domestic questions with international
relations.
''Moreover-and l know some people
think this IL a far fetched objection, but
having other nations NEEDLE with our
tariff runs up against a proposition OF
the constitution. The constitution pro-
vides that all revenue bills shall originate
in the House OF Representatives. Now
do not offer that as a final objection.
No doubt we could amend our constitu-
ton to At the league, but Il would take
some time, and think II Ia better to
steer clear OF the constitution in cases
like that.
Would Exclude Tariff.
81 offer an amendment already pro-
posed by Senator Owen Of Oklahoma, 81
ardent Democrat and a supporter OF tho
league, to exclude international qucs-
lions Of the character OF immigration
ard tho tarin from the Jurisdiction of
the league. | offer that as q fourth con-
structlve criticism.
This treaty is indissoIuble. There Is
~
ton. In the old days-very old days
they were in tho habit OF begin ming
treaties by swearing eternal friendship.
which made them last no longer. That
has been given UP. In modern times
almost all the treaties that we now have
contain provisions for termination o.
withdrawal on notice. II there Is no
provision for withdrawal. you are thrown
back on denunciat,on or abrogatIon by
one nation.
IT have been surprised TO hear IN the
Senate and elsewhere the statement that
this was only a treaty and We could
abrogats It by an act OF Congress at any
time. an we can under the decisions OF
the Supreme Court Why. ladies' ard
gentlemen, nothing could be worse than
that. No greater misfortune could befalI
the peace Of the world than 10 have a
| abrogate the treaty.
1T Ia usually preliminary to war
It Is in many cases at least There
ought to be some provision by which @
withdrawal could be effected without
any breach OF the peace or any injury
to the cause.
"Mr Taft says:
The covenant should also be made
tons may be terminated
II offer that as another constructive
citicism.
Il am obliged TO move rapidly for my
time Ia expiring but there are two sres
points that I cannot leave wholly un'
touched.
zone ia Article XIX. providing for
nandatories. 1t does not say who shal
! select the mandatory. That is. that a
nation may be selected to take charge
of weak or a backward people and b
| appointed by the league TO that work
, II has been suggested that we shoulc
! take charge OF Constanunople : that We
should take charge OF Armenia ant
Mesopotamia and Syria am not golnf
to argue 1t at length. am not al
| deeply opposed to that provision Al
many others-as most other people are
as / believe the American people are
a Grave Responsibility.
But II is very grave responsible,
to take--to take charge OF some dstan
people. furnish them with civilians 4
carry on their government. furnish then
with an army to protect them. and sent
cur young men away on that business
| We have done Il in Hayti. we have dom
IT in san Domingo, We have done II II
| Nicauragua, and are doing Il now
That is all within tho Monroe Doctrine
that il all within our own ring fence.
We must do It we owe 1t 20 the world
and we are quite capable OF doing II sue
/ cessfully. But this Is a demand TO q
out through Asia. Africa. and Europ
and take up the tutelase OF other people
Then comes article y. That Is tn
most important article in the Who'll
| trealN- Thai Is the one that | want. tn