Evening star., 1933-10-08
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that the United States is not opposed
to it as body, but that it does not see
its way to accepting membership so
long as the covenant contains many
clauses which are contrary to Amer
lean tradition and policy.
So far as article 10 is concerned,
with its virtual guarantee of present
national boundaries, there is nothing
to add to what Senator Lodge put into
the record fourteen years ago. His un-
aSSailable argument was then that the
United States cannot assume any re-
sponsibility for the maintenance in
Europe of the political status quo, can
not and will not pledge the use of it's
naval and military forces in any pos
sible controversy as to boundaries
which in no way interest this country
Many people outside of America, many
keen students of the League and it's
strongest supporters. consider this
article its weakest point. But since the
League is largely dependent on the sup
port of the smaller European states for
its virility, and since to them article 10
Is the heart of the organization. it seems
highly improbable that it will ever be
deleted. If Senator Lodges suggestion
had been accepted the United States
Wot1O llOW DC d ulCIIlUSl VI Lie bedSuc,
with only reservation as to that par
ticular article.
Many FoolishIy Worried.
Many Americans are foolishly worried
over the idea OF consultation between
nations when there is threat of war;
or rather, they appear to be worried
over an obligation to do what is nor
mally done without any obligation.
Equally futile seems the fear that there
might be a British bloc against the
United States, the self-government do
minions being independent members of
the League. The record of other con-
ferences. such. for example, as the Ra-
dio Conference. proves that the separate
parts of the British Empire vote inde-
pendently. as often with the United
States and against Great Britain as the
other way around. And furthermore
the man who conjureS up the Specter of
war between the United States and the
British Empire can have little if any
trust in the friendly character of any
international relations
On the other hand the obligations
arising through Articles Is, 16 and II
are really serious, because they envisage
a resort to war to prevent war No
thinking man could see his government
tions against another nation, since
sanctions must almost inevitably lead
to war Still less would any American
light-heartedly agree that on the de-
cision of other nations as to the rights
and wrongs of dispute American mill
tary forces might be used overseas. It
may we'll be that a treaty, ratified by
the President after he has received the
advice and consent of the Senate, over
rides the law of the land as enacted
by Congress. 1t is absolutely certain,
however, that it cannot override the
Constitution Of the United States, and
many of the keenest students of the
Constitution believe that certain arti-
cles of the League Covenant, which OF
course would have the force of treaty
If adhered to by the United States. are
in direct contradiction to this funda-
mental law.
Friendly Relations Increase.
Relations between the American Gov
ernment and the League of Nations
have grown increasingly friendly dur
ing the last three administrations.
It was during the Coolidge admins
tration that close cooperation with
the League began. that the endless dis
armament discussions got under way,
that Kellogg put through his anti-war
pact which. independent of the League,
expressed unequivocally the same idea