Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-10-20
Ll|HU ROOT STRONG FOR
LEAGUE ON ROOT LINES
Seclarcs European Nations Wish to
III Accept Covenant With
Reservations.
cALLs ARTICLE X. ALLIANCE
Republican Advocate OF Treaty De-
clarcs American People Are Anx-
ious to DO 'rhcir Part in Forming
Organization To Prevent Wars.
nv Associaich prcss1

TBy Associated Prcss.l
NEW YORK, Oct. Ia.-Elihu Roo,
IA his only address OF tho league OF
aa,ions during the presidential cam
-.aiEn tonight. declared that tho
ilircaty Of pcacs with Germany would
S.have been ratified aud America would
saavc been member OF the league if
NPrcaidcnt Wilson had been will
cling"
Il "air wilson. however. was not
willing. lie insisted upon the treaty
: absolutely unchanged" Mr., Root
(, said adding later ON in his speech:
- II 30 not question Mr.. Wilson'S
I beliefs that the disposition OF the
. treaty for which he was conteuding
tscn May 81. 1873, were just and fair;
: but, without d:srespect. l do question
MIR. Wilson'S iHfallibility. J do qucs-
t$tion the complete control of abstract
; t1usticc in the processes by which the
g. .four inen who dictated those treaties
(which undertook TO make over east
: <crn Europe. reached their conclusions.
Il have an Impression that there
was the aCcomn odation of conflict
ing interests, tho giving OF some
thing hero TO get something there;
the Yielding OF something in order
10 avoid losing others. the shading
OF Justice Ky cypediency which has
, characterized such conferences since
History began. l havo Il strong hr-
preston that some OF their conclu-
.-ions wer, mistakes.
And l think it most Objectionable
THAT the American people shall entor
;nto solemn and positive agree
mont TO guarantee and maintain by
force OF arms for all time the dis
Z positions OF territory and sovereignty
hitch these four men made in the
year 1878.
Says Article y. nm Alliance.
That is q part of what Article y.
undertakes 10 do. 1t is an alliance
10 enforce perpetually through the
operations o, the league the decisions
~ Nj Wilson and his associates in
The year 1918. II is a throw-hack to
the old discreditei alliances OF the
past I. speaks a language of power
and not the spirit Of progress II is
IAN attempt - do what tho Holy AL
lance soushi 100 years ago twith
gust as noble expressions OF purnose)
ito Impose hy force the Judgment of
''he rulers u: the present generation
upon all future generations"
A-. Root declared that we shall
promote the. peace of the world" by
ieiect!nG Senator Harding, whose
stand on the league. he said, was
unchanged from the lime he voted
t!oF ratification Of the peace treaty
;4ad league Q: nations with the SEN
:ate reservations. T'ae election OF
Governor Cos, he said, meant the ef-
FORT 70 hsrs. the Uaited states Join
i,ne league of-rat!ous without change.
Were Willing To Accept Change.
After 'ges,at!ag the situation" o:
lie league, A!r. Root declared that /:
. Wa wei! understood in 1919 and ".z
vel! understood now. that the other
. parties to The treaty would have
been content 10 accept" the Senate re-
scrva;.oHs, adding.
Several European nations already
{; nave given notice Of half dozen
; changes in i.e covenant which they
Z propose 10 urg" at a meeting o. the
assembly OF The league next mcntn.
The only reason why The changes
'necesFs-y 20 meet American objection
have not already been considered is
'h"' Mr wilson simply would no.
negotiate for them =
At the outset Of tha a.idress. Mr..
Root sad:
Il ;hinE 4 large majority Of tho
American people earnestly wish for
an organization among civilized mn
lions. through which the nations
snail Cooperate to prevent fu,ura
rs ,.H 10,
90 her FUN share in t1xt oreaniza-
ton. certainly desire this very
strongly"
The principal objections TO the
league Mr.. Root said. mag be rough.
ly CLASSIFIED as follows:
Firs,-ohject: 10 the general
defensive alliance with all members
% tA@ league. established Nv Article
Second Objections to submitting
to the council Of the League questions
Of purely American policy. such az
nc Monroe Doctrue or questions OF
muig-atiou
Ihlrd-rhat tho scheme practical
y ;hrusis aside the whole system Of
ceYe.orm ent NJ International law and
"I ar9iiTal decision which mad been
no settled rolIcy Of the United states
Tor mGny generations.
F'nryh- That thc schemc created
e" 'tPsT SoYernmtnt which would d.
Slro5 the Independence o, The United
States
"fifth-That the working az the
ll@n Under INC covenant Was no, "a
arranged az to artiau'aie with the
CONSTITUTIONAL government Of Inc
United States; ,hat. under {, the
fFes4ten, alone could practically car.
On The entire foreign AFFAIRS o.
'he United states by agents Of his
ON ae.eition TO the practical exciu.
son ot the popular branch Of on,