Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-03-12
BRYAN SUGGESTS
AMENDMENTS TO
LEAGUE COMP ACT
CONTINUED from Page One)
he could, he would be helped by
intelligent and friendly criticism
from the American public.
Statement by Bryan.
otdtCIHtIt uy Bryan
The statement follows:

| The idea of substituting reason for force
in the settlement of International dis
putes is In itself an epoch-makng ad-
vance. The constitution Of the league as
announced provides for three things which
constitute in themselves an advantage the
Importance of which can scarcely be esti-
mated
Dellberation before war-the investiga-
ton OF all disputes Of their kind and
character before hostilities begin. This
almost ends war. The idea is taken from
the 30 treaties negotiated by the United
States with three-quarters of the world.
Our nation. therefore, gives to the peace
league its greatest piece Of machinery.
Second, the reduction Of armaments
will make 1t impossible for nation to
prepare for war without notifying the
world Of its intention.
Third. the abolition of secret treaties.
which will do much to prevent the COM
binations which lead to war. II the
league Of nations did nothing more than
provide these three things, our nation
would be justified in supporting 1t to the
utmost
1T is not to be expected that so great
an idea as the league Of nations would be
made perfect in detail in so short time.
There are defects that should be corrected
and the fullest discussion Of proposed
amendments should be invited. The news
papers Of Great Britain, France ana Italy
are not backward in the expression OF
their views as to changes that should be
made. Why should the American people
be? Ours is the nation most influential
in the league, and most dlsihterested. Its
people should help by free and frank
discussion to perfect the league. The
president has done the best he could,
but he will be aided by intelligent criti-
cism from those friendly to the idea.
Basis of Representation Unfair.
II venture to point out certain amend /
ments that should in my judgment be
made in the interest of a stronger and |
better league. First, the basis of repre- |
sentation It not fair to the United States.
A comparison Of voting strength will show
that while our nation Is the most power |
full In the combination, whether measured |
by population. wealth or moral influence, |
II has no larger vote than nations much
inferior In population, wealth and in |
fluence This inequality ought, IL possible, |
to be corrected, for justice is the only |
foundation upon which any institution |
can rest In permanent security.
Second the terms of admission to ma |
lions that may desire to join hereafter
are not fair. To require a two-thirds |
vote to admit new nation suggests the |
social club, where few black balls may |
keep out an uneongenial 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 1t. The qualification for admission |
ought to be fixed, and then 1t ought to |
be made as easy as possible for those who |
are qualified to gain admission. Under I
no circumstances should the consent of
more than a majority be required for the
admission Of any qualified nation.
1.-THE faults of the constitution are
found to be in its indefiniteness rather /
than In things positively Objectionable. |
For instance, it is not stated with suffi-
Client clearness that the Monroe doctrine |
is preserved. Our nation Is not asking |
to be permitted to assist in the settle
ment of European disputes and therefore
it ought not to be asked to give up its
paramount influence in the western hemi-
sphere as a condition precedent to its
entry into the league,
Then, too. 1t is not stated with suf-
ficient clearness that a league member
is not required to become mandatory.
1t ought to be definitely stated that a ma
ton asked to become a mandatory is at
liberty to accept or decline. Again, it
should be made clear that the league is
not to interfere in the internal affairs Of
the nations belonging to the league. The
league is for the settlement of interna-
tional disputes not for the adjustment of
differences between a nation and its own
people.
Would Restrict Councils Power.
another matter that should be made
clear-and nothing can be more Inn
portant than this-is that each nation
has a right to decide for itself whether
the general council. The language of the
constitution, while not definite, would |
seem to indicate that no nation is re-
quired to furnish force to back UP a de-
cision OF the council. But no doubt should |
be left on this subject. This nation can
not afford to allow a council in which |
1t has so small voice to carry 1t 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
mergency arises and they understand all |
the circumstances and conditions they may
be willing to assist by force, but they can
not decide in advance or allow a council
to decide for them.
1.-THE constitution Of the league would
seem to imply the right of the council to
compel the declaration Of an economic
boycott by the members OF the league.
This is not quite so serious as the declara-
ton Of war, but economic boycott is likely
to develop into a war, and an economic
boycott may be pecuniariy advantageous
to the nations that want to declare It,
Our interests may not be Identical I'm this
respect, and we ought to have a right to
say at the time, whether we would declare
such boycott.
II venture to suggest that the scope Of
the leagues work might we'll be extended
beyond what is now contemplated. A |
substitute for war must be able to deal |
with every situation that can become a
cause CT war. one OF the most IfulIlul
causes Of war has been the necessity for
expansion, Growing nations, feeling the |
necessity for more room, have often gone
to war on some clumsy pretext when the
real purpose has been to secure territory
for an increasing population. The
right to live is one Of the rights. 1t is a
primal right that must be recognized in
nations as well as individuals.
Should Adjust Land Claims.
Nations exercise the right Of taking l
unused land and distributing 1t among
those who need II. So, If the league OF
natiGns is to substitute reason for war
1t must be able TO deal with claims that
are made for the waste places of the eirth.
A nation feeling a need for more territory |
should be able to go before the league and |
present its claims and point out the ter
ritory which 1t can use to advantage. The |
council should consider the claim and ad-
Just 1t, and the force of public opinion
should be used to secure such an adjust
,ent Of equities as would afford peace
able means of securing needed territory,
"such adjustments could be made the
easier IL the league endorsed the PROPOSE
ton that any nation extending its sover-
eighty over new territory should stand
ready to purchase the property OF resi-
dents who do not desire to remain under
the new sovereignty. The resident does
dependent and should be allowed to have
territory. II, against his will. he Is
brought under new sovereignty he ought
to be able to sell his property without
loss and choose a sovereignty Of his own
liking.
II have suggested what seemed to me
to be desirable changes, some being modi-
fications, some being merely more eX-
pliclt statements / conclude, as j be-
gan, that while we should endeavor TO
make the league as nearly perfect as
possible, we should not allow its i'm
PROJECTIONS to lead to it's rejection. We
must take risks, no matter whether We
accept the league or reject II. The risks
that we take in accepting It are less than
the risk we take II we reject it, and turn
back to the old ways Of blood and slaugh-
ter. God grant that those who are en-
trusted with the launching OF this great
nnnrLr nay hnttn The sIzlaHnrn IN nurEe