The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-18
HODGE EXPOSES
WAR OBLIGATION
- In ARTICLE X.
& Shows Failure OF Congress
4 to Send Army Would Be
Path Of Dish0nOr.
I: A BREACH OF TREATY
\ Points Duty Under League
(. at Society of Arts and
y Sciences Dinner.
\ SEES ONE MAN POWER
\ u. IS. Member Of the Council
\ Would Control Our Military
POlisy. He Asserts.
SEES ONE MAN POWER


OF men and women that filed the BALI
room of the Hotel Commodore and its
circle OF galleries last night under
which flag they stood-the Stars and
Stripes or the "monsrel flag OF the
League OF Nations?" He led the way
OF the ensuing demonstration by say
ing that he was too old now to change
his allegiance. The crowd rose to its
feet and staged demonstration that
left the Massachusetts Senator in no
doubt regarding it's stand.
Senator Lodge was the principal
speaker at a dinner rendered to him
by the Society OF Arts and Sciences.
Mrs. Corinne Roosevelt Robinson, SIS
ter Of the late Theodore Roosevelt, and
Col. William Hayward were the other
speakers.
Mr.. Lodge was clear on those points
on which the hottest league arguments
are founded. He dwelt Upon the obliga-
tons OF those nations signatory to the
covenant, and Indicated the plight OF
America In the altogether probable even
tuRlity of call to arms from the
Council of the League of Nations, should
1t be repudiated by Congress at the De-
hest OF the American people.
Senator Harding, he said, was as
anxious to promote lasting peace as
any man in the world, but not at the
price that would sacrifice the United
States s.by adhering to an alliance that
would mean war and not peace" SEN
ator Lodge reviewed the arguments OF
the Democratic spellbinders and held
-them UP as fallacious and ambiguous.
Hc indicated the possibility of one man.
Under the terms of the covenant, putting
this country into the position where 1t
either would have to go to war or re-
pudiate the vote OF that man Otis repre-
sentative in the council, thereby dis
IGNORING itself Under the terms of the
cos.enant. Mr. Lodge showed, the Presi-
dent of the United States could appoint
that representative without consulting
any one. In other words. the peace OF
100000, 900 would depend upon the point
of! view of the White House.
Senator Lodges speech follows:
Text of the Address.
1.-THE chief Democratic speakers and
their assistants are very busily engaged
just now In denouncing the Republicans
as misrepresenting the facts when they
SAY that under the covenant of the
League OF Nations American soldiers
can be sent abroad at the bidding OF
foreign powers They have two ways
of meeting the wholly truthful asser-
tidns as to sending American soldiers
abroad. when they find that they cannot
dispose OF them by merely shouting that
they are misrepresentation. One Is that
armies and navies cannot be authorized
or supplied without action by Congress
and that il through the moral obiiga-
tion of Article X. we are bound to send
troops and ships to engage in a for
cign war, Congress can refuse TO meet
tho moral obligations.
Il am particular to say moral obliga-
ton, in order to meet n distinction
which has been attempted by those who
want to find some method of escape
between legal and moral obligations.
Treaties OF this character rest entirely
on moral obligations; in fact, practi-
caily all treaties rest on moral obligza-
tions. A legal obligation, IL II exists at
all in treaty. can only exist when tbs
treaty Is made under duress and terri
tory or hostages are taken to secure its
performances. Then It may be said that
Il IS law with sanction. but broadly
stated, treaties depend on moral obliga-
tions, and the League of Nations COW
cnHnt uepcnuS on nOtIlnS else.
'If q moral obligation is not abso-
lutely binding on nations which sign q
treaty, then the treaty IL merely scrap
OF paper. Undoubtedly Congress can
refuse to meet a treaty obligation
whether moral or legal. That is the
pathway of diehonor, and IL Is always
open. Upon that pathway trust the
United states will never enter. We have
never yet broken faith under a treaty
and we must not begin to DO so now.
Not only would it be dishonorable 10
break a treaty obligation. but IL would
be, the greatest blow which could be
struck at the peace OF the world, because
failare on the part of a great Power
TO observe the sanctity OF treaties would
be moro fatal TO the worlds peace than
any other one thing.
rGermnny's breach of faith IN enter
ing Belgium was not only the signal for
well nigh universal war. but was the
worst attack upon the worlds peace
ever made. We may therefore dismiss
~ out OF the question any opportunity
OF. escaping from sending our, troops
abroad by breaking our obligations.
Article Y. n wnr Declsratfsp.
Tho other method OF demonstrating
that We cannot be compelled 10 send our
troops to take part In foreign wars ex-
cept when we ourselves desire to do 80