New-York tribune., 1919-03-20
Republican
Club Outlines
League Ideas
Against Wilson Plan, but
in Favor of Union to
Preserve World Peace
Finds Draft Defective
Insists OH Dispassionate and
Full Discussion of the
Proposed d Amendments

The committee on national affairs
of the Republican Club, which on Tues
day night Endorsed the general project
of a more effective union among the
nations for the preservation of peace,
but vigorously supported the thirty
seven Senators in their refusal to vote
for the Wilson constitution in its pres
ent form, accompanied its resolution
with report read by James M. Beck
setting forth its position, as follows:
"There has long been community
of nations bound together by solemn
agreements entered into for the pur-
pose of maintaining peace. The very
existence of law of nations is based
upon the existence of such a league of
nations.
Demand More Perfect League
at is now universally recognized
that the conventions entered into at
The Hague, in 1899 and 1907, were
inadequate to accomplish their pur-
pose, and that this league should be
|
since the outbreak of the European war
in 1914 many groups of the most ex
perienced and able men in Europe and
America under such leaders as James
Bryce in England, M. Leon Bourgeois
in France and ex-President Taft in
this country have been comforting as
to plans by which that could be ac-
complished, and various drafts of
agreements for that purpose have been
prepared, published and widely dis
cussed. This club itself, by formal
action, several times repeated, has an
nounced it's approval of more perfect
and effective agreement among all ma
tions.
Only Tentative Scheme
"The report of the committee of the
Paris peace conference of a proposed
constitution for league of nations is
tentative scheme designed to accom-
plish the same end. 1t is but a draft,
or project, put forward, in the language
of its trainers, mot as something that
is final, but only as the result of an
honest effort to be discussed and exam
ined not only by the conference, but by
the public opinion of the world
"The action of Republican members
of the United States Senate in point
ing out the features of this draft
which they deemed defective and
which would endanger or prevent it's
final ratification, so far from being
evidence of an obstructive spirit, was
an acceptance of this express invita-
tion for constructive criticism and. if
final proper solution of this great
problem.
Draft Unsatisfactory
"This committee feels that in many
essential respects already pointed out
by distinguished Senators of both par
ties, this draft is unsatisfactory and
should be amended The necessary
anne endments should be considered
calmly and dispassonately with refer
cncc both as to the general interests
of mankind and the national interests
of the United States.
There must be considered the char
acter and needs of our people; our
geographical position, far removed
from the localities in which the most
DIFFICULT questions may be expected in
ciio uCuIe W arise, tne CradltlOnal pol
icy of our country to avoid, so far as
is possible, entangling alliances and
unnecessary conflicts, and to avoid, 50
far as possible, participation in the
politics and intrigues of the Old
World.
Must Look to Future
1--WE must carefully consider how
far these national traditions and pur-
poses can be protected and attained
consistently with the performance OF
our duty as member of the commrl.
nifty of nations to do our part in pre-
serving the peace of the world
I'm determining what agreement We
should make, it is also of the highest
Importance to consider what tha,
agreement is likely tr require US to dc
in the future, and whether our sue
cessors will be willing to do then wha
we now agree to do. For the wors
thing nation can do is to make ar
agreement and not live up to it.
Cur whole discussion and decision
} should be above party politics. Ant
at no time should this discussion in
volve the question whether we are il