The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-10-18
ARTICLE X.


A great deal OF dust has been thrown
into the eyes OF the people regarding
Article X OF the league OF nations cove
nant. Denunclatlons have rolled from
the tongues OF those who probably never
read it. We have been told that II
enables some foreign authority to or
der our sons sent to war without the
consent OF the home country. Such
shower OF maledictons have been
poured out upon this article that Il may
be worth while TO study It briefly.
Here 1t is:
The members OF the league under-
take to respect and preserve as against
external aggression the territorial in
tegrity and existing political indepcnd-
once OF all members OF the league. In
cnse OF any such aggression or in cnso
OF any threat or danger OF such ng-
erosion the council sholl advise upon
the means by which this obligation
shall be fulfilled"
Nothing monstrous about that, is
there? Not word about sending any
body to war by anybody anywhere or
any time. II is FIRST OF all an agree
ment among the nations to respect each
others territory Anything wrong in
that? The most prolific cause OF war
since the dawn OF history has been
the desire for moro territory. Germany
wanted a larger place I'm tho sun and
Japan IN now seeking pre- cmptions
wherever there is nm openlnR-and oven
where thcre ia none. DO those who OBJ
pose Article X want 10 take away any
other country's territory
After mutual agreement TO respect
each others territory, other provisions
OF the article become OF secondary
Importance. II with require little Of
fort TO preserve" boundaries where
nobody dIsturbs them. Other articles
or tho covenant make provision for
ascertalnIng where boundaries are. In
case ono nation shall undertake to
sel2e the territory Of another, the
council OF tho league shall recommend
Il pan to prevent It. In there anything
startling about that? Otherwise, there
would almost certainly he war.
NOW let's so little deeper into tho
matter. You have been told that Arti-
Gle overrIdeS the constitutional
power or congress TO declare war, II
uoes no such thing, though II ia In
tended to mako II unnecessary for any,
pouy 10 declare war. Hiram Johnson
ana other senators have continued to
repeat this allegation. Senator Hard
ing who Is not n lawyer ut all. inslsts
thht the league in various nnrtiCulora
~ IN conflict with the constitution. The
judiciary committee OF the sonata
howeVer--a majority rcpublican-com-
posed or the Henate's best lawyors
unanimously reported that the treaty
and constitution do not conflict.
rms We believe. ought 10 be some
assurance that congress would stul
nave power TO declare war II u thought
hecoSsary-and we all homo n wnula
never think so. But this isn't all. Gov
'oN has suggested a reservation which
would make Il plain to those who are
not lawyers that 1T viii OF course. he
understood that In carrying ont tho
purpose OF the league tho government
OF the United States must Mt all timos
act In strict harmony with the terms
ana intent NJ the United States consti.
tuition which cannot in any way be al.
'eIcd ny the treaty making power"
HOW much moro assurance do Won
want mat the sovereignty OF the coun.
Try IN not 10 be oVerthrown? But GOV
'oS goes even further. llc promises To-
consider together with the Srunto any
reservations which may honestly I've
,h'urht necessary. Isn't that fairn
DOESN'T II really sound more Ike mn
'.h'N' 'Uoit 10 stop tho bloody rnmo
vi war And moro especially 40 when
gov 'oN tnvors another reservation
h'"'Ihr that this country wouM ONLY co.
mote peace"
What confidence can he rrrrarl IN
IA NH % I..l Ia. d ID