The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1920-10-08
LEAGUE COVENANT
LEGALLY DISSECTED
Eminent Attorney Brands
Pact AS Only Trouble
Breeder.
To the Editor OF the Republican:

y lilt LultOI VI INC htBubAiNdhs
1t is amazing to me how many
statements are made by some sup
porters of the League of Nations, now
before the country, which perhaps are
made in good faith rs to the workings
of the League yet are without foun-
dalton in fact or supported by the
text of the writing itself.
Some statements though based on
false premises are made by speakers
with that degree of positiveness, evil
dencing sincerely, and Tins so con-
Vincing to the listener that the list
ener wonders what objection there
can be to the League in it's present
form and why we should not be in
favor of it. Those speakers ignore
the warning of Mr.. Lansing, Mr.. Will
sons former secretary of State that
the people of the United States do
not know what they will be up against
if they join the League and the
warning is forgotten by the speakers
audience. Such speakers ignore the
rules Of construction laid down by all
the courts, that an isolated word.
sentence or paragraph cannot be pick
ed out and be relied upon in the Con-
struction of a writing but that the
writing must be read in all its parts
and as one part affects the other, the
intention of the parties to contract,
or Legislature in enacting a statute
thus be ascertained.
Now it is solemnly stated that by
Joining the League we will he kept
out of war; that the Monroe Doctrine
is not disturbed; thai. we will have
TO send men, money and munitions to
foreign countries and numerous 9th
er such matters, which, statements
are not bourn out by reading the in
strument in its entirety and apply
ing the usual rules of construction of
Treaties, Statutes, Covenants and 9th
er written instruments. Some of those
statements, made by men and women
of intelligence are positively nauseat-
ing to those who have read the cove
nant of the League of Nations and
studied it's various provisions-had
this word or that sentence or the 9th
or paragraph bears or acts upon or in
flDcnces that which precedes or fol- !
IoNs it.
To have a proper conception of it
one ought not accept such statements
as true until the speaker demonstrates |
that he had read the covenant, that |
he has analyzcd it, thai he believes !
his statement to be true and so |
states on his honor. Really the |
speaker should submit himself 10 a
quiz to satisfy the mind IL the quiz
yer
, Anyone making such statements
uughl IL back then up with refer
ences to the Covenant and all the /.
parts thereof which may aid in the
construction, whether they relate di-
rectly or indirectly to the statement
made. 4 or instance, it is said that the
MgnTCe Doctrine is preserved Does
The speaker tell his audience also
that while preserved, the United
States. if it goes into the League, will
surrender to the League, through its
Council and Assembly, the right to
.ennstrue and to say what question is
or is not within the Monroe Doe
trine' Does the speaker read from
Mr.. MOnrosg It'll Message to Goa |
gress when n established the Monroe |
Doctrine, Monroe's words what while
sympathi,ing with European people,
their forms of government are not '
like ours and that we have no con- !
Germ with them other than friendly or t
nentral relationship? Does he read ]
these words of President Monroe: '
The citizens of the United States j
cherish sentiments the most friendly
in favor of the liberty and happiness G
Of their fellowmen on that side of the v
(Europe) In the wars of /
The European powers, in matters re- j
lating to themselves, we have never
taken any part nor does it comport +
with our policy to do So" :
Speakers have told their audiences +
that because in Article of the Cow "
enant unanimous decision is re- n
lnired to go to war and the United
States could keep out of war by its c
and breaking the un- !
They did not refer to the
Modification of that unaminity in that +,
same paragraph in the words at its y
beginning, Except as hereinafter 7
3vyided," nor did they then refer OF
back 10 Article Is to say what that "
qualification is, nor to say that in a s
dispute two nations, as for instance i,
United States and Japan, neither k
Vould have vote. a