, 1921-04-21

to eliminate the burdens of a heavy
will be in harmony with such a move
ment toward the higher attachments of
peace. But we shall not entirely dis
card u agencies for defense until
there is removed the need to defend.
We are ready to cooperate with other
nations to approximate disarmament.
but merest prudence forbids that we
disarm alone.
League Of Nations ~Scrapped.
In the existing League of Nations,
world governing with it's super-powers,
this republic will have no part. There
can De no misinterpretation, and there
will be no betrayal of the deliberate
expression of the American people In
the recent election and, settled in eur
decision for ourselves, it is only fair
to say to the world in general, and to
our associates in war In particular.
that the league covenant can nave 10
sanction by us.
The aim to associate nations to pre-
vent war, preserve peace and promote
civilization, u people most cordially
applauded. We yearned for this new
instrument of justice, but we can have
no part in n committal to n agency
of force in unknown contingencies; we
can recognize no super-authority.
Manifestly the highest purpose of
the League of Nations was defeated IN
linking it with the treaty of peace and
making it the enforcing agency Of the
victors of the war.
Approves Peace Resolution.
"The American aspiration, indeed,
the world aspiration, was ar associa-
ton of nations, based upon he apph-
cation of justice and right, binding us
in conference n cooperation for the
prevention of war and pointing the
way to u higher civilization and inter
national fraternity in which all the
world might share.
In rejecting the league covenant and
uttering that rejection to our own peo-
pie, and TO the world, we make nc sur
render of our hope and aim for an as
ISOLATION to promote peace in which
we would most heartily join.
We wish it to be conceived in peace
and dedicated to peace. and will re-
Iinquish no effort TO bring the nations
of the world into such fellowship, not
in the surrender of national SOY
e~reignty but rejoicing in a nobher
exercise of it in the Advancement OF
human activities amid the compensa-
lions of peaceful achievement.
In the national referendum to which
I have adverted we pledged out ef-
forts toward such an association and
the pledge will be faithfully kept In
the plight of policy and performance
we told the American people we meant
to seek an early establishment Of
peace. The United States alone ameAg
the allied and associated powers con
tinues in a technical state of war
against the central powers of Europe.
This anomalous condition ought not TO
be permitted to continue.
To establish the state of technieal
peace without further delay, / shOu1d
approve a declaratory resolution by
Congress to that effect, with the quail
ifications essential to protect all our
rights.
Such action would be the simplest
keeping Of faith with ourselves and
could in no sense be construed as IA
parting with those with whom we
shared our sacrifices In war, for these
powers are already at peace.
Such a resolution should undertake
to do no moro than thus declare the
state of peace which all America
.s - - lfFFt--uk. a..
effecting. with just separations, M
restoration for which all Europe
yearns, and upon which the worlds re-
covery must be founded. Neither for
mer enemy nor ally can mistake Ammr-
ica's position. because our attitude as
to responsibility for the war and the
necessity for just reparations already
has had formal and very earnest ex-
preston.
1t would be unwise to undertake to
make a statement of future policy with
respect to European affairs In such a
declaration of n state OF peace.
Must Safeguard Essential interests.
The wiser course would seem to be
the acceptance of the confirmation OF
our rights and interest as already pro
vided, and to engage under the exist
Ing treaty. assuming. OF course, That
this can be satisfactorily accomplished
by such explicit reservations and mod
ifications AS will secure our absolute
freedom from inadvisable commit
ments and safeguard all our essential
interests.
We must not allow our vision 10 BE-
Impaired by the conflict among our
selves. The WEAKNESS at home and
the disappointment to the world have
been compensated In the proof that
this republic will surrender none Of
the heritage Of nationality. but ar
righfa In ntaruationo rolationabIn