The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1919. AMERICA AND THE LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1919. AMERICA AND THE LEAGUE.

The decision of the Supreme Council to summon a meeting of the League of Nations, without the participation of the United States, should not come as a surprise, considering that for over four months the American Senate has held up the Peace Treaty. The League Covenant is part and parcel of the Treaty—the one stands or falls with the other. It must not he assumed that the great mass of the pepole of the United States are responsible for the opposition tactics of the irreconcilable Senators. On the contrary, there are good grounds for the belief that the majority of the people are irritated at and greatly dissatisfied with the way in which the reactionary Senators, for unworthy motives of political animosity to the President, are endeavouring to nullify the great part taken by him in framing the League Constitution, which has been endorsed by organisations representing everything that is best in America. It will be remembered that the first article of the Covenant provides that the original members of the League shall be those of the signatories, and such other of certain named States as accede, without reservation, to the terms of the Covenant. It is, therefore, evident that a qualified acceptance is no acceptance at all, the effect of such a step being to cut America off from membership. It is quite possible that, blinded by hostility to the President, the reservationist Senators have failed to realise that their plan of a campaign is a mere waste of time, and can only end in casting humiliation on the nation. The Senate has not gone to the length of repudiating the Treaty or the Lea°gue, but the effect of its action in whittling down the terms is to prevent America being represent-, ed on the League unless the other' nations consent to a revision of $$ text, which is not probable. If

the idea of differential treatment I of the nations were entertained,] there would be no finality, and a j practical working covenant would' be impossible. The nations which have already subscribed to the League have taken the covenant as it stands, and it would obviously be absurd to permit other signatories to come in on such, terms as they might desire to dictate. What is good enough for the other Powers must suffice for the United States, or the latter must remain outside the brotherhood of nations Fcbeme. Admittedly such an ending to the labors of President Wilson and his coadjutors at the Peace Congress would be deplorable, for it would strike a severe flvlow at the objects for which the (■League was instituted. Apparently a small majority of the Senate seems desirous to avoid wrecking the League, but the main feature of the reservations is that America shall have the power to decide for herself any matter wherein her interests are concerned, a position that is equivalent to being in the League as a free lance. Such a state of affairs is too absurd to contemplate. Either America joins the League on the same terms as the other States, or remain outside. An essential principle of the League is that the component nations shall each and all undertake certain responsibilities with the object of safeguarding the peace of the world. It is only by acting in concert that the avowed aim can be achieved.' Unless the Democrats can succeed in making a compromise, America eannot enter the League. It hardly seems possible that such a calamity will happen, but as the Treaty must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Senate before it is adopted, the prospects at present are by no means as satisfactory as could be wished.