The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1920-10-14
When Members
Disagree the
League Decides

WASHINGTON. Oct Some vi
tally important fact in connection
with the League of Nations, should be
impressed upon the minds of all
Americans who are in doubt whether
the United States should become
member: One party to contract
can not insist upon the right to de-
termine the Interpretation OF the Ian
guage of the contract" declares the
Republican Publicity Association,
Through its president, Hon. Jonathan
Bourne. Jr.. in the following state
ment issued today:
"Since President Wilson first made
public the League Of Nations cove
nant, and and others who advocate
membership in the interpretations
upon various clauses OF the covenant.
They have asserted that the provi-
sions of the league are perfectly
clear-the covenant meaning exact
ly what they interpret it to mean.
Over in Europe there are various
statesmen who also believe the GOV
enant perfectly clear, but who place
upon those same provisions OF the
document interpretations different
from those rendered by President
Wilson and his supporters. Euro
oean diplomats are just as sure Of
their interpretations as President
Wilson is OF his.
I'VE have had notable illustration
Of difference OF this kind Presi-
dent Wilson has declared that the
League OF Nations covenant does not
interfere with the Monroe Doctrine.
After he had made this statement
representatives OF the British govern
ment took occasion to assert diner
ent view. apparently taking the pre-
caution not TO be bound even by In
ference by the Interpretation which
President Wilson has put upon that
article of the league covenant which
mentions the Monroe Doctrine. The
words of the British diplomats COM
nenting upon the Monroe Doctrine
were: Should any dispute as to the
meaning Of the latter ever arise be-
tween the American and European
powers. the league is there TO settle
IT.
THAT is an Interpretation with
which Japan will undoubtedly agree.
Japan would like 10 secure a footing
in Mexico. She would like TO ac-
quire territory TO which her nationals
could be sent and from point they
could be conveniently smuggled into
the United States. She would like
TO secure base for her naval oper-
ations as an aid to her prosecution Of
war In case she should become in
solved.
But II Japan should undertake 10
secure a footing on the Western
Hemmisphere the attitude OF America
~ould be the same as though q sim
liar course were pursued by a Euro
pean nation. Our protest would be
prompt and vehement, and IL the
United States were free from any
such obligations as are contained in
the league covenant there could be no
doubt that our protest would be well
founded. But Il might be different
IL certainly would be difierent-if we
tons. and the Interpretation ex-
pressed by the British diplomats
should prevail The British view Is
that the league is there to settle IT.
and manifestiy such would also be
the view OF Japan. Such also would
be the view Of Mexico IL she had made
deal with Japan for the cession of
part Of her territory. Such also
would be the view of other European
nations that have for generations de-
sired to secure territory in this part
OF the world.
In the Interpretation OF the league
covenant the United States would be
ouf-voted on the question whether the
league could settle questions arising
under the Monroe Doctrine. The
league is there to settle it is the no.
tice Which Great Britain has served
upon America. and every man who sd-
vocates making the United States a
member OF the league does so with
full knowledge of the Interpretation
which other nations will place upon
this phase of the covenant"