Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-06-17

The President argued that tho
adoption Of the amendment was only
stating definitely in the covenant
that which wac already implied"
This had been Taft's argument in his
'cablegram Through Tumulty) OF
March IS. Lord Robert Cecil also
now supported him in this conten-
ton:
THE amendment had been in
serted in order TO quiet doubts, and
the calm Observation-Disclosures On
American. IT did not make the sub
stance Of the doctrine less valid.
!. There was nothing in the
Monroe Doctrine which conficted
with the covenant, and therefore
nothing in the covenant which inter
fercd with international understand
/ ings like the Monroe Doctrine"
But the very mention OF the Mon
roe Doctrine raised all manner Of
questions and doubts. The French
thought that If It was not incon-
sistent with the terms Of the cove
nant. It was unnecessary to refer
to IT," They also asked Immediately
to have clear definition OF the
Monroe Doctrine. a.. Dig Presi-
dent Wilson's amendment corsecrate
or change this policy"
At once the two aspects Of the
Monroe Doctrine came under discus
sion. What effect would the amend
ment have in emphasizing the posi-
tive side Of the Monroe Doctrine:
that Of preventing European govern
ments from meddling in America?
This aspect Of the matter was what
at once struck Mr.. Reis, the dele
gate from Brazil. On the other
hand, what effect would s. have in
emphasizing the negative aspect 81
the doctrine; that America was not
to cntangIe itself IN European
affairs? This was what profoundly
, concerned the French for they
, wanted America bound. without
doubt or question. under the cove
nant, IN come 70 their assistance II
attacked.
While the President believed that
the covenant superseded the Monroe
. Doctrine by widening it's application.
. he yet had 10 meet these swift
gathering doubts and questions.
{ Situation Growing More Difficult.
:, The American amendments were
. accepted. but the situation that the
President now had to face was rem
dered far more difficult. The French.
more dissatisfied than ever with the
. guarantees. pinned their faith more
,. than ever to guarantees OF security
u outside the League. On the other
> hand, the amendments which The
President had sponsored in the hope
~ Of quieting American opposition.
II failed in the end 10 serve even that
., purpose. II was indeed an impossi-
~ BILE situation he had 70 face. r he
satisfied the American opposition he
- alarmed France: Il he satisfied
d France he soaded American op-
II position.
II Wilson had stood 10 the end on
- his original concept OF the covena nj
, that the negative aspect Of tbs
s Monroe Doctrine is obsolete. and
s. that the positive aspect is merged il
A. the vaster and stronger project Of q
world guarantee-he could not hav,
gone down harder in America thar
he did. but he would have gon'
down on a clearer issue. the issur
upon which, so far as America i
concerned, the battle for a new
world order must ultimately b.
fought.
Besides the objections against borl
aspect Of the Monroe Doctrine iteli
there was a third objection raised
against its inclusion in a whole claS
of regional Understandings. of n
OF which the validity was admitted
HOO Of China quickly perceive
what this word Understandings
might imply as regards Chinese in
terests. He feared that kind e.
Monroe Doctrine might be advance
by the Japanese as applying TO IN
Continent Of ASA. 1t appeared L
him too broad. IL would cover al
kinds Of understa ndings, good. la
and Indifferent" lie would have III
doctrine simply recognized by itsel'
but his repeated objections wer
| Overridden. He made clever poin
| the second day OF this debate. now
| ever. which. in part at least, sery e
| MS purpose. when he secured tn
insertion Of the words. or under
| standings" in the sentence ot Art!cl
M, providing for the sbrogatio
| OF all obligations Inconsistent Wit
| the League.