South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-13


two-thirds vote 20 admit a new ma
ton suggests the social club. where
a few black balls may keep out az
uncOngenial applicant. This world
league is for the world. The presi-
dent has well said that our nation
Is not interested in a league unless
all nations are in IL. The qualif-
cations for admission ought TO be
fixed and then IL ought 20 be made
as easy as possible for those who
are qualified TO gain admission. I'm
der no circumstances should the
consent OF more than a majority be
required for the admission of any
qualifying nation.
THE faults OF the constitution are
TO be found in its indefniteness
rather than in things positively OBJ
jectionable. For instance, 10 my
mind. IL Is not stated with sufficient
clearness that the Monroe doctrine is
preserved. Our nation is not asking
10 be permitted TO assist I'm the
settlement Of European disputes
and, therefore. il ought not 10 De
asked TO give up its paramount in
fluence in the western hemisphere
as a condition precedent 70 its entry
into the league. Then, too. IL is not
stated with sufficient clearness that
"A league member is not required TO
become a mandatory. II ought 10 be
definitely stated that a nation asked
70 become a mandatory is at liberty
20 accept or decline. Again. it should
be made clear that the league is
never 70 interfere i'm the interna
tional disputes, for the adjustment
Of differences between a nation and
its own people.
Another matter that should he
made clear-and nothing can be
more important than this-is that
each nation has the right TO decide
for itself whether il will undertake
the things advised by the general
council. The language Of the con-
stitution while not definite. would
seem to indicate that no nation is re-
gdired to furnish force to back up
a decision of the council. But no
doubt should be left on this subject
This nation cannot afford 70 allow
council in which it has so small a
voice 10 carry it into war against ITS
will. Our people will have as much
sense when the time comes to act as
they have now and they Will have
more light TO guide them. When the
/ emergency arises and they under
I stard all the circumstances and con-
ditions, they may be willing TO assist
/ by force, but they cannot decide liz
advance or allow a council TO decide
for them.
Deals with Boycott Problem.
"The constitution of the league
would seem TO imply the right OF the
council to compel the declaration of
an economic boycott by the mem
/ bers of the league. This is not quite
/ so serious as the declaration of war
/ but economic boycott is likely to de-
/ velop into a war and an economic
/ boycott may be pecuniarily advan-
| tageous to the nations that want 10
! declare it. Our interests may not be
/ identical in this respect, and we
| ought to have a right TO say at the
/ time whether we would declare such
a boycott l venture to suggest that
the scope OF the leagues work might
well be extended beyond what is
now contemplated.
"A substitute for war must be able
! TO deal with every situation that can
/ become a cause of war. One of the
! most fruitful causes of war has been
/ the necessity for expansion. Growing
\ nations, feeling the necessity for more
room, have often gone 10 war on
\ some clumsy preteXt when the real
| purpose has been TO secure territory
1 for an increasing population. The
/ right 10 live is one of the inalien-
able right. II is a primal right that
must be recognized in nations as
well as individuals. Nations exer-
else the right of taking unused land
+, and distributing it TO those who need
it. So, if the league of nations is TO
substitute reason for war, it must be
able TO deal with claims that are
made for the waste places of the
earth. A nation feeling a need for
more territory should be able TO 20
before the league and present its
claims and point out the territory
which IL can use to advantage.
The council should consider the
claim and advise upon it. and the
force OF public opinion should be
used 10 secure such an adjustment
OF equities as would afford "A peace
able means Of securing needed terri
tory. Such adjustments could be
made the easier if the league en-
dorsed the proposition that any ma
4 ZION extending its sovereignty over
new territory should stand ready to
purchase the property of residents
who do not desire TO remain under
the new sovereignty The resident
does not go with the land. He has
rights Independent and superior 10
the right 10 the land II. against his
will. he is brought under new
sovereignty. ne ought to be able to
sell his property without loss. and
choose "a sovereignty of his own like
81 have suggested what seemed 70
me desirable changes, some being
notifications, some being merely
more explicit statements. ] conclude
as I begun. that while we should en-
deavor TO make the league as nearly
perfect as possible we should not
allow its imperfections 10 lead 10 its
rejection We must take risks, nc
matter whether we accept the