Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-19
DEBATE.


undermine, and eventually destroy,
the sovereignty OF the United states
and make IL subordinate TO q super-
government. controlled by the i'm
perialis,lc powers OF Europe and
Aaia; that the question OF peace or
war would. II America went into 1t.
be decided by council OF the league
Instead OF by Congress. which, under
our Constitution. has the sole power
to declare war: that the surrender
pf This right would place IN tn.
hands OF foreigners. the power to
use the armed forces and the imam
cial resources Of this republic In wars
for the promotion OF other than
American interests and would infai-
libby result in the ultimate destruc
ton OF our systein OF government.
ono article tX) q the covenant
binds all members oR the league :,
foreign aggression "a cunning phrase
which would certainly be interpreted
In their own selfish interests by the
representatives Of the great pow
srs) the territorial! integrity OF all
the other members Of the league.
Americana. especially. should de-
nounce Article y. Of the league OF
nhtionE as device 10 stine the con-
science Of civilization and render II
helpless TO assist struggling nations.
Az has always been the custom Of
our Krea, republic. j. would suiIy
the most croditablc page in our his
tory and discredit tho circumstances
and conditions IN which our republic
was born and our liberty achieved
The conscience of civilization is the
only fore. 20 which the oppressed
ran appeal, No struggling nation has
ever achieved it's independence except
through the aid or othar nations.
Our o~n struggle IL q aiming ex-
annie ~ this. Were We not aided by
France when the yoke OF Great Brit
ain lay heavily upon uS7 Cuba could
never has been freed without inter
vention of this country, and one OF
Inc most creditable pages In human
history would never have been writ
ten. What OF Greece under the hid
eous domination OF the Turk. were Il
not for the assistance OF enlightened
nations-
Under Article NJ. Il becomes the right
OF the council Of the league 70 prevent
an assembly u! American citizens to Pc
tition their government to afford re-
lief 10 nm oppressed nation. on this
point Article NJ. specifically says:
1T Is also declared to be the friend
ly right Of each member OF the
league 10 bring 10 the attention Of
the assembly or of the council any
circumstance whatever. AFFECTING In
rernattonal relations which threaten
TO disturb international peace. or the
good understanding between, nations.
on which peace depend"
Under that clause our Congress
could not express In the future. az it
did in the past, any sympathy with
countries like Greece. seeking free
dom from the Turk: the South Ameri-
can republics. seeking liberty from
Spain: or tender welcome 10 Kos
sutn, or stricken Hungary: or Parnell.
pleading for /. self-goyerning Ireland
the determination 0! Ireland). To re-
gain her Independence. has been one
OF the sources Of every great war
which scourged the world for four
centuries. Any question which dis
turbs the peace OF nations. is. not
domestic. but International. Its set
Element is. therefore. an imperative
necessity OF International peace.
Passing from this, contend that
We must. as Americans. take posi-
ton III opposition to this league OF.
nations because what IL does with
relation TO the Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine is one OF the
fundamental principles upon which
American power has been reared. and
our foreign policy has recognized II
as the great principle OF American
craftsmanship. and OF American in
tsrests. Under the Monroe Doctrine.
We have grown In wealth, prosperity,
and power, as no nation In the HIS
tory Of the world has grown, and il
the Monroe Doctrine Is TO he changed
1t should he changed, not In the way
of Diminishing it's power. hut in the
way Of strengthening It's power.
II there is desire to make II per-
manent peace. the Monroe Doctrine
should be extended so that /. shall
include any European interests In the
Western Hemisphere. Any European
country which is represented hers by
territory should depart. Since the
Monroe Doctrine has bean put into
effect, all the territory which was
possessed In Western america by
them has been given up b. DEN
mark. france, Russia. Spain and
Portugal.
As an American think that there
should be no abandonment OF the
policy laid down by Washington In
his farewell address in which he told
the American people TO keep away
from permanent entanglinE alliances
with any Of the countries of tho Old
World. This policy has been followed
strictly by America and has resulted,
perhaps more than anything else, In
strengthening the grea. position we
occupy today.
One strong proof that t..J league OF
nations Is not success haa been
furnished recently In tho nows re-
ports telling of the withdrawal Of the
Argentine republic Erom tho league.
Another may DO found In tho report
That tho European countries Ea arc will