New-York tribune., 1920-10-20
Justice and the public opinion of the


world.
Long before the hour for which the
meeting, held under the auspices of the
National Republican Club, was sched-
uled, crowds began to assemble in the
vicinity of Carnegie Hall, and fully an
hour before the appearance of the
former Senator every seat in the large
occupied The appearance of Senator
Root on the platform, occupied by dis
tinguished Republicans, was met with
repeated volleys of cheers, the entire
audience rising to its feet.
Before plunging into his exhaustive
analysis of the League of Nations is
sue Mr.. Root said:
az should like to talk about some
other things-about the Importance of
our getting back our constitutional llb-
erty, which we suspended for the pur-
poses of a real war, and are going
without because of the existence of
phantom war; about the Importance of
having an administration of our gov
ernment which sympathizes with Amer
lean business instead Of distrustlng
and condemning all successful busi-
ness men; about rebuking the Demo
cratic party for permitting itself to be-
come the faint echo and the subservl-
ent tool of dictatorship. And would
like to talk about courageous, able,
noble James Wadsworth, the ideal pub
lie servant, who ought to be kept IN
Office by the votes of all men and wom-
en- of whatever party who do not wish
our government to be conducted by
towards and savants. But I may not
talk about everything at once, and
am going to talk about the League of
Nations.
Text of Roots Speech
Mr.. Root said:
"It is my purpose to speak this eve
ring of the League of Nations. The
subject is too extensive for anything
like full or systematic presentation
in such speech, and it is a subject
that ought TO be kept free from the
overemphass which sometimes makes
campaign oratcry interesting. There
arc some observations, however, which
may be useful.
II think a large majority of the
American people earnestly wish for an
organization among civilized nations,
though which the nations shall CO.
operate to prevent future wars, and
that the United States shall do her
full share in that organization. | GER
tainly desire this very strongly, and
! shall assume that you have the same
feeling.
THE pending contest for the Presi-
6ency presents the question: How will
our votes on one side or the other af-
feet the attainment of that desire :?
Shall we promote the peace of the
world by electing Mr.. Cox or by elect
ing Mr.. Harding?
AS basis for considering this
question let me restate the situation.
after the armistce which ended the
great war. a conference Of all the
states which had been at war with the
Central Powers was called in Paris
Tor the purpose Of agreeing upon the
terms of peace to be offered to Ger
many and her allies. The terms were
agreed upon, we're communicated to
the Germans, and, after some slight
notifications, produced by their pro
tests, were included in treaty signed
by the Allied and associated powers
on one side and Germany on the other
on the 28th Of June, 1919
Provisions or Covenant
an this treaty were included a
of the League of Nations These pro-
visions did not form any part of a
contract between the Allied and asso-
ciated powers and Germany, but
formed contract Of the Allied and
associated powers with each other,
none of the Central Powers being
made members of the proposed league,
although provision was made for the
adherence of neutral powers which had
not been engaged in the war The
general scheme Of the proposed league
was that there was to be council
meeting from time to time composed
Of representatives Of five principal Ali
lied and associated powers and of four
other members of the league. When q
controversy arose between members of
the league and was not submit tied to ar
bltratlon it was to be submitted to the
council, which was to investigate and
make report containing a statement
or the facts and its recommendations
All parties agreed not to go to war
until three months after the award of
arbltrators or the report of the coun-
Gil, which was to be made within six
months after the submission of the
dispute. II the report was unanimous
except as to the disputing nations, the
partieS agreed not TO go to war at all
with any other party complying with
the recomm endations Of the report. A
country violating these stipulations
against making war pending the con-
slderatlon OF the case or upon a party
which complied with a unanimous rec
ommendatlon of the council was to be
deemed to have committed an act OF
war against all members of the league
Such country was to be subject te
an economic boycott and deprived O,
all financial, commercial or persona
intercourse with the members of the
league. The council was to recon-
mend to the several governments con
cerned what effective military, naval O,
air force the members should SEVERAL,
contribute to the armed forces TO hs
used to protect the covenants of the
league. '''>
There were also provisions for ar
assembly, to be composed of q repre-
sentative of every member of tn,
AsaGue, and any dispute might be trans
Eerred by party from the council tt
the assembly for consideration, repor
END recommendation, with the same eff
1ect as If the dispute had been lef
with the council. There were man,
other incidental provisions. but thes,
"hich | nave mentioned in Articles Ky
and AVl of the covenant contain tn,
gist of the whole scheme.
le Will be perceived that this plar
reiled upon the effect of four thing,
taken together to prevent war.
"First--Upon delay to afford time so,
investigation and for passions to COO
and sober Judgment to prevail
Second - Upon having the fact
ascertained and determined and mad,
public to all the world, SO that tn
Misunderstanding and deceptions unde
which the people of q country ara s.,
often led to consent to war may b,