The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-09-30
Answering q Question.


advocate Of the league OF nations
without reservations: Recently you
stated that there we're some % wars
going on at the present time in
which the United States was not in
volved. and which It would be II 1t
were member OF the league of ma
tions. None OF the other great ma
tons who are members OF the league
ire involved in the wars. VIII you
tell me why the United States would
be involved II II were In the league?
I do not want your personal opinion,
! want you TO answer through the
paper"
IL is admitted that a great many
wars are in progress in many parts
OF the world; that the United States
Is not a member of the league and is
not concerned with these wars and
that none Of the great powers that
are members of the league are in
volved in the wars.
The fact that the great powers
referred to are not interesting them
selves in the wars in Europe and
elsewhere at the present time is evil
dence that the league is not func-
tioning in accordance with the claims
made for IL as an institution to drive
wars from the face of the earth and
establish peace throughout the world.
The European powers simply are
not taking the league seriously and
perhaps do not intend to do so.
We assume that II the United
States goes into the league II will
go into It seriously and with the
intention of observing Its covenants
II would be better to stay out than
go in with anything less than firm
determination to abide by and fulfill
the obligations 1t assumes.
The failure of the members OF the
league to concern themselves with
the wars now in progress is a viola
ton Of their obligation. The United
States fulfills its obligations. II II
were member of the league It would
be obliged to invite tho parties 10
the dispute, whether they are mem
bers of the league or not. to accept
the obligations of membership in the
league for the purpose of settling
their disputes.
Article IL provides that any war
or threat OF ear. whether immedi-
ately affecting aNy member OF the
league or not, is hereby declared n
matter Of concern to che whole
league. and the league shall take any
action that may be deemed wise and
effectuai 90 safeguard the peace OF
nations"
The sailuSe of the members OF the
league to invoke these provisions is
a clear violation OF the obligation
assumed
II a state invited 20 accept che OBJ
legations Of membership in the league
for the purposes of settling a dis
pute shall refuse. then that state
shall be deemed to nave committed
an act OF war against all members
% the league.
II a state shall accept membership
in the league for the purpose of set
ting such dispute, and refuse to abide
by che verdict Of the league, it shall
likewise be deemed to NH"e commit
ted an act OF war against all mem
bers of the league.
Whether the warning states have
declined 10 enter the league. or
whether they have not been invited
10 do so. we do not know. But in
any event. under the covenant Of the
league, II it's provisions are adhered
to, there can be no such thing as
war or threat Of war without i'm
mediately affecting every member ot
the league.
II is an obvious fallacy TO cite tho
failure of the members OF che league
10 enforce the provisions of che COW
enant as an argument in favor Of
the United States going in.