Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-23
PLIGHT Of POLAND
OBJECT LESSON Of
LEAGUE WORKING
Senate Reservation Saves
U. S. From Obligations
Under Article X.
RY N. 10. MEssENGER.

1t falls out that just at the time
the voters in this country are getting
+, ready to deliver a solemn referendum
on the league of nations vivid OBJ
ject lesson of the practical workings
presented. Today theiT attention is
being called to a situation where the
adherence of the United States to the
covenant of the league as originally
drawn would affect this nation vitality.
Poland is threatened with invasion
by the Russian reds and the other
members of the league of nations are
called upon to rush to her assistance.
The cables report that france ana
commissions, fully authorized to rem
der whatever assistance is necessary.
the report being that British and
French troops may go into action
If the United States were a member
of the league under the terms of the
original covenant this nation would
be bound by article x of the cove
nant, which is as follows:
.The members of the league under
take to respect and preserve as
against external aggression the ter
ritorial integrity and existing poilt-
ical independence of all members of
the league. In case OF any Sucn ag-
pression. or in case of any threat or
danger of such aggression, the coun-
Gil shall advise upon the means by
which this obligation shall be full
filled"
Constitutes Moral Obligation.
President Wilson has declared that
this promise constitutes moral OBJ
LEGATION resting upon the United
States, if a member OF the league,
which he pronounced to be greater
even than a legal obligation. Waiv-
ine for the moment the consideration
over which there is controversy,
whather Congress should say whether
the forces Of the no1 nnited edfoES STATES Ties
ohliration is fulfilled. the essential
fact stands out that the President
recognizes the moral obligation as su-
perior even to a legal one
Congress will not be in regular ses-
sicn until December. There are prob
ahJv neople who think that the Presi-
dsnt in the acute crisis presented,
MIGHT feel called upon to use what
means he has at hand for prompt re-
Iiaf of the situation, and call upon
Congress later for further approptti1i-
t;ons. His sense of the moral obll-
cation. from his own words. is pro-
found and the President is man of
action.
cented the Presidents view of the
,araI obligation which would rest
mon the United States if the original
srticle should be adopted, and fore
saw the possibility of situations aris-
ing suddenly. They also took into ae-
count the fact that an executive IN
the future, even one who would DEFER
To Congress as to the means of full
illing the obligation. would never
theleSs feel that the obligation exist
ed. Having once entered upon the un-
dertaking. accepted the obligation, it
ms
through with it, and Congress, they
felt. would provide the means. al
though the country might be averse
to war.
No Obligation Assumed.
So. to guard against such an even
tuality. the republicans proposed and
the Senate. by a vote which included
democrats as well as repuoiicans'
adopted the following reservations:
."The United States assumes no op-
,;oat;on to preserve the territorial in
tegrity or political independence OF
any other country or to interfere IN
controversies between nations
whether members of the league or
not-under the provisions OF article
or TO employ the military or naval
forces Of the United States under any
article of the treaty for any purpose
unless in any particular case the CON
gress, which under the constitution
authorize the employment of the mill
tary or: naval forces Of the United
States. shall by act or joint resolu-
ton so provide
That reservation expressly relieved
the United States of the moral OBJ
iieation superior to legal one. 1t
Kent the United States in the place
If occupied when the Congress de-
c;5ed that the interests of the coun-
trv and the welfare of civilization re-
o,,ired this country to enter a for
eign war. Congress used it's consti- |
tufional authority and sent the sons
of the people overseas to take part |
in foreign war.
Congress- Can BE Called.
1t is pointed out that it does not
need membership in a league of ma
tions for the United States to go
to the assistance of Poland imme- |
diately, if the people wish 1t done. /!
The President can call Congress in |
extraordinary session and in ten |
days the peoples representatives can |
assemble and take up the question
whether the needs of civilization and
the future interests of the United