The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-24
KNOX CHALLENGES
WILSON STATEMENT
'EgOist Of the White House.
COntradicts Himself, Says
Pennsylvania Senator.
DEMANDS NEW LEAGUE
Says U. s. Must Not Be Drawn
Into Wild 'Orgy Of Interna-
tional Free Love-

The energies OF the world. under the
leadership OF the United States. must be
directed to the formation OF a true
League Of Nations, in the opinion OF
Senator Philander C, Knox as expressed
IN a statement made public at his home
IN Valley Forge. Pennsylvania, yester-
day.
The league as offered by President
Wilson. not being good for America, is
not good for the world Senator Knox
said. and expressed the belief that we
should not be put In a position OF Inn
posing obligations on other nations
which we would not be willing to assume
ourselves Senator Harding's position on
this question he finds perfectly sound.
Referring to the Wilson statement that
persons who do not care to tell you the
truth" say II would be possible for other
nations to lead us into war; Senator
Knox said II might be well to inquire
who told us So" He then repeated the
Presidents words to him at the White
House. which admitted an absolutely
compelling moral obligation" adding
that he can think of nothing more in
exorable than an absolutely impelling
moral obligation
On the threshold OF the adjustment of
Americas relations with the entire
world. Mr.. Knox declared. the 'ego.st
OF the White House." as he Sailed forth
single handed and alone TO recast in his
own name and his own proper authority
the map and destines OF the EARTH" de-
manded uncontrolled power"
Calls League Dream "Fatuous."
Reviewing the rebuke received from
the American people by the election OF
Republican Congress two years ago
and the Presidents part n the forma-
ton of the league covenant in Paris.
Senator Knox declared its submission
constituted the greatest ard most inn
portant matter" placed before the peo-
rle since the nation was founded.
1t requires. he said. that every future
war should be potential world war
and II was fatuous to hope or believe
that outbreaks would not occur.
Consideration of the prov sons of the
covenant led to the Inevitable conclu-
sion. Senator Knox added. that "our
sovereignty has in all matters of ma
uonal life and death been destroyed"
Mr.. Knox continued
The statesmen of Europe who ara
keenly anxious to involve US In this
partnership Of nations make no dis
honest pretence that II does not involve
the surrender of sovereignty to a super
government. Lord Robert Cecil. the
British high priest of internationalism.
respecting-as an honest man always
COeS-tne indulgence Oh InOSe WHO may
not agree with him. frankly admits that
1t constructs an Internal onaI entity
that must override nationalism. This OF
course, Is true and meets his lordships
exotic demands With US. however. II Is
different Here we will keep the home
fires OF patriotism burning and will re-
fuse to be drawn into an orgy Of un-
restrained International free love.
IF the league Is bad for us II ID bad
for the other rations. II II takes from
us our sovereignty. Independence and
liberty and imposes upon US the author
ity of a super-government. IL does the
same to the other nations IF we refuse
to be bound by Its odious terms. we
should not assist In forging It's chains on
others.
THE soundness Of Senator Haroing's
position lies In his recognition OF the
fundamental fact that the league az
rendered to us will not do, as II Is not
safe for America: and not being safe
for America. il is not safe for the world
Senator Harding recognizes that we de-
sire no specially insured relation to
League of Nations that we do not seek
immunity where other nations are
bound: that we do not desire to be
placed in a position where we can assist
In imposing obi-' ton TWO" ""t IS
which we would not be willing to assume
rs proposed must be rejected and the
energies of the world, under the leader
ship of the United States. directed to the
formation OF a true League OF Nations
under which controversies may be judi
cially determined and the curse OF war
outlawed and made an International
crime.
ARTICLE X OF the covenant seems now
to be the bone Of controversy and the
question is, are we. under its terms.
obligated to go to war II war Is neces-
sary to repel external aggression against
members of the league?
when we are told. as President Will
son recently told us, that:
"aThose who do not care to tell you
the truth about the League OF Nations
tell you that Article X. OF the Covenant
of the League of Nations would make
IL possible for other nations TO lead US
into war. whether we will Il by our own
independent judgment or not II may be
Just as well TO inquire who told US so.
The person who told me that under
Article X. we were under an absolutely
compelling moral obligation to go 10
war to repei external aggression against
q member OF the league. was President
WILSON, as the following dialogue at the
White House discoses:
Senator Knox--Mr. President allow
me TO ask this question: Suppose that
~ Is perfectly obvious and accepted that
there is an external aggression against
some Power. and suppose II IL perfectly
obvious and accepted that II cannot be
repealed except By force OF arms. woulo'
we be under any legal obligation to par
teipateT
"-rhe Prcsident--No, sir: but we
would be under an absolutely compelling
moral obligation
II take myself out OF the sweep Of
Mr. Wilson's malediction. I entirel,
agree with him that we would be un-
der an absolutely compelling moral OBJ
legation 20 go to war under the cir
cumstances named. can think Of
nothing moro memorable than AN abso-
1uteiv cornne1IinR moral nblination'"