The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-10-21

Can Render Advice only.
The term advise" in Article X, rel.
alive to the league councils powers
was declared by Gov. Cox to be limited
solely to advice. Stressing the provi-
sion for unanimous council action, Gov
Cox said:
We should never, In the haze of
weighing statements and wobbling pro :
nouncements lose sight of the uncon-
trovertible fact that under Article X
me council can render only advice
And that even this action cannot be
+ taken unless and until every repre-
sentative, including our own, votes in
the affirmative"
=. One OF the Hitchcock reservations
voted down by the treaty wreckers"
declared that no American sovereignty
was relinquished.
Explaining the leagues operations,
GOV. cox said that Cancellation, or "a
joint diplomatic note to all law abiding
a&latlons in condemnation of any Of
Iendlng nation severance of diplomatic
relations or an economic boycott, would
De means employed before consideration
or more drastic measures"
Even then, he commended. congress
slonal approval would be required,
Not TIL Others Failed.
NOT until every other method had
tailed would there be any need for ever
ernor continued. But il it be con-
tended that a desperate crisis might
arise, such as that which threatened
the world in July, 1914, then the coun-
cii would sit In special conference If
all the representatives on the council
were agreed that to meet the situation
II was necessary to employ other means,
then 1t would be empowered to make
such a recommendation. Our repre-
sentatives would cable the facts of the
Will thn
olution of recommendation to the pres
ident, who in time would lay both the
facts and the councils advice Before
the congress, together with his own
recommendation. Congress would then
determine its course of action in the
row.
Isolation, economic and otherwise.
for any nation. the governor argued,
would go long way toward preventing
hostlities.
Extremely Doubtful.
TT is extremely doubtful" he said
If any nation would have the temerity
TO fly in the sface OF outraged public
opinion. OF the whole world, and it is
moral certainty that no nation would
be so foolhardy as to try to live. let
alone carry on effective warfare, in
economic isolation.
Some may say that If the council
has no authority to order military forces
nant, the peace of the world would be
no better secured with the league than
without it. Such an inference would
be entirely at variance with eXpe-
rience. Earl Grey, at the time. the
said in 1914 that If, in the critical days
of July and August, he could have got
the statesmen of the great powers
around table in conference for nine
days or nine hours, the world war could
have been aVerted."
ARTICLE X "VIrAL."
Defining Article X as statement
in parliamentary language" Of the
Biblical Injunction" "thou shalt
put into the league covenant as
curb on national cupldity," and
insisted that it was vital to the
league.
Territorial grand larceny" he as
serted, has been one of the most pro- |
in detail the processes Of the league |
machinery and sought to show that |
rarely, If ever, would it he necessary |
for the league to resort TO drastic meas
only with the consent of the constitu-
tional authorities of the member ma
tions.
ITO say that the league could declare
war is to say that it lis in violation of
our own Constitution and those of most |
now members of it, Gov. Cox con-
tended. Then he quoted from an opin-
ion OF the American Bar association
that article Y is not in violation of
the Constitution of the United States"
for power TO declare war Is not dele
gated.
Some say that IL the council has
no authority to order military forces
into the field in defense of the cove
nant," said Gov. Cox, the peace of
a VI hn hntf tor D1l
with the league than without II. Such I
an inference would be entirely at va
rance with experience, Earl Grey, at
that time the British secretary for for
olgn affairs, said in 1914 that If in the
critical days OF July and August he
'ould have got the statesmen of the
great powers around table in CON
terence. for nine days or nine hours,
he world war would have been
lverted."
In Case OF Dispute.
In case OF a serious dispute between
wo nations said Gov. Cox, the council
Vt the league would endeavor to have
he disagreement presented to the per
he parties to the dispute agreeing to
tbide by It's decision. If the matter
we're urgent they would attempt to set
lie the question by Cancellation, the
'ouncil acting as mediators. Failing
his all members OF the council ex-
,ept the disputants, would attempt TO
each n unanimous agreement as 70
he course of action to be recon-
nendod, No recommendation would he
'ossible, however, without a unani-
nous vote.
As punishment for the offending
nation. said Coy. Cox, the council
night send Joint diplomatic note con
iemning the action, might break OF
diplomatic relations, or, as n last re
'ort. might institute an economic
,l0ckAIr