Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-10-30

tions is not an entangling alliance any
more than 1t was. as Senator Harding
has charged, conceived for world super
government"
To that charge we answer, as the Presi-
dent answered, that our sovereignty
would be impaired by membership only
as the sovereignty of every man is i'm
paired who makes choice TO respect the
rights of his neighbOrs.
1t would be impaired only, II indeed
as much, as by the acceptance or the
international court that Senator Harding
wants.
that mo function or discretion is taken
from any branch of the Government
which 1t now performs or exercises"
The essential CHARACTERISTIC. or govern
ment is that IL orders and, IL necessary,
backs its orders with force.
The league, as we have heretofore
pointed out, has no power to order the
course of the member nations.
1t has no power to tax or declare war
or conscript or legislate by majority
vote.
It only advises and recommends and
does that only by unanimity.
The league, accordingly, Is not gov
eminent, super or otherwise.
1t has been correctly characterized as
an instrument for confidence.
Senator Hardinss talk about super Ir,
government is unfair as his talk about
a military alliance is unfair.
CONSTITUTIONAL
QUESTION RAISED
Another objection is that the provision
In the covenant against making war ex-
cept under certain conditions Is an I'M
pairment of the constitutional power OF
Congress to declare war when ana as
1t deems At
Indeed, Senator Harding and Chairman
Hays have been asserting recently that
the league and the Constitution are irrec-
oncilable; that we must choose between
the two.
Rather than rely in that matter on the
Judgment of an editor and pohticaI
chairman would 1t not be safer to rely
on the Judgment of constitutional law
his Attorney General, Mr.. Wickers am
The former has pointed out that the
Senate has already ratified twenty
treaties. the so-called Bryan treaties, In
which we have engaged not TO make war
until the lapse OF a year.
No contention has been made, so Tar
as I am aware, that those treaties I'M
paired the constitutional power of Con-
gress.
And then there is the last resort Of the
directors OF the priests and the Levites,
OF those who would find excuse Tor our
betrayal of the league. s-,s
why, they ask, has your league Iaiied
to stop the Russian Polish war ana tue
other wars in Europe
There are several answers.
AS to the Russian Polish war II may
the controversy. like Mexico and the
United states, was NOT a member or the
league and accordingly the opportunity
for usefulness was limited.
Besides. It is not claimed that the
league will end the menace or war. nut
that the menace OF war viii be lessened
bv It's mlnist rations.
And then the most important answer
IS that where the LEAGUE looked confident
" for friendship and support It mas met
desertion and betrayal.
For IL ia as certain as anything con
tectural can b. that had the United
States given quick allegiance the whole
world would have responded 70 the pun
for the common good inaugurated by the
lRs que.
OBJECTIONS
NOT VALID.
And thus we find the objections TO the
covenant Of the League of Nations Of
no sucL validity as jusJiies us In de
cliniug to undertake promptly our part
IN binding up the wounds Of the world
ia planning and executing its rehabil-
tation in promoting peace by an asso-
citation Of the nations. an association for
the purpose Of dissipating, through
koowledve and the Hight Of reason. the
darkness and enmity which make for
thu harharism Of war.