The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-10-26
MORAL oeLIoArIoNs.


There have been many strained dis
tinotions drawn between legal and
moral obligations involved in Article
X. during the current campaign-some
by persons whose comprehension Of
either form do not seem very clear.
Those who fear that Article X. might
really be helpful In abating war and
reducing ornaments first oontended
that II overrides the constitutional pro-
vision authorizing congress to declare
war. When met by views of the best
lawyers in the country that this IL
not the case and when offered q reser-
lvatlon that II shall not be so con-
strued. they exclaim: "oh, well. the
moral obligation remains. which Is just
as binding as q legal pledge" Let as
look at that point for q moment. Here
10 a reservation which was offered by
democrats and which President Wilson
agreed TO accept:
1.-THE United States assumes no OBJ
legation to employ it's military or naval
forces or the economic boycott TO pre-
serve the territorial integrity or politi-
cal Independence Of any other country
under the provisions Of Article X. or
TO employ the military or naval forces
OF the United States under any other
article. OF the treaty for any purpose.
unless In any particular case the con-
gress. which under the constitution.
has the sole power to declare war.
shall by act or Joint resolution OF
provide"
How much moral obligation to send
our boys willy-nilly to- ffdo- China does
this leave In Article xf With this reser-
walton read into II, Article x would pro-
vide that we respect the territorial In
tegrity OF other nations but assume no
obligation to defend II except such as
might commend itself to congress in
zach particular case. But the wreck
ers were not even willing TO pledge re-
spect OF the territory of others. They
apparently wanted this country left
free to grab more territory Just as
Germany had attempted to do.
A moral obligation In one which ex-
lists without written pledge. II In
dicates what ought TO be done in cer-
tain eventuaiitiea and In interpreted by
zach individual according TO his own
conviction OF what IL, right and
proper. II In therefore nanifestly clear
that the reservation quoted above
leaves congress- absolutely free to de-
termine in any particular case whether
the country was obligated to take ac-
ton. II 10 not the fear that American
boys may be called upon to defend
foreign boundary lines which has
caused this election, but the fear
that there would be an end of war.
In justification Of. what we have
Just said. let us make two or three
citations. When Germany invaded
Belgium, Col Roosevelt insisted that
this country was morally obligated to
10 to the latter country's relisf--with-
out any Article X or league Of nations.
This view was adopted by many OF
the senator's who oppose Article X. A
general denuncistion OF the president
was inaugurated because of his alleged
paredness--because he did not
have an army and navy assembled.
ready to dispatch at moments notice
to foreign country to defend . boun-
dairy linel
Every moderately informed voter
knows that this 10 true, Another cir
cnmstance which stamps hypocrisy
upon the objections to Article X as
precipltating us into foreign wars, il
the fact that Mr.. Harding makes no
promises looking TO q reduction Of
ornaments or to q decrease of the
towering expenses OF preparing for war
and paying war bills. Either he and his
sponsors are not seriously opposed TO
war. or they have mighty little COM
ndence in his mystic association" as
n preventive.
Another suspicious circumstance is
that Mr.. Harding wants to wait until
after election before letting anybody
know anything about the peace assoc
citation he Ia going 10 form. Ho says
be viii then summon the great minds
and frame a constructive program.
The great minds, however were as
Hembled Mt Chicago last June. Why
did they not frame a constructive pro-
gram then7 II he and they are
earnestly In favor OF peace. why not
give the people = chance TO pass on
the means by which they purpose to
| bring II aboutf
In reservations suggested and in
Gov. Cox's willingness to consider any
others offered by any honest friend OF
peace, every reasonable safeguard OF
our freedom Of action is assured. Those
who continue to object, confess that
they have no constructive substitute
for the league Of nations TO offer.
They want to wait until after the
electionl Then a program of greater
preparedness for war win be inauEu-
rated. Then the boy who wants 10 so
to school or who plans a business or
professional career viii be instructed
in the beauties Of universal military
service.
Voters should not be mlsled by the
moral pretensions of those who con-
oeai their plans from them. II such
voters want TO assure future peace and
reduce the burden Of war preparations,
they ought TO support those who are
trying 10 accomplish these ends rather
than those who object 20 every plan
proposed. Don't trust those who re-
fuse 10 trust you with any outline o,
what they are going TO do.
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