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for the worse. When we abandon, if we must abandon—and if the American people think we must abandon we shall abandon it-when we abandon the teachings of Washington and Lincoln, let us be sure, as we enter on the road of internationalism, that we do not go too far toward the sinister figures, at the other end, of Trotzky and Lenine. Let us do all in the world we can to assure the peace of the world, but let us, in this most momentous time, move slowly, and take due consideration of our step.

"I admit, I confess frankly, that perhaps I speak with some prejudice, but there is one thing of which I have said nothing, of which I must say one single word before I close. I cannot forget America. I want my country to go forth; I want her to be a help to humanity, as she has been. I have nothing but the kindliest feelings to every race on the face of the earth. I hope peace will reign throughout the world. I want my country to do everything she can to bring about that blessed consummation. She has never proved wanting yet. She threw her award into the wavering scales and turned the balance in favor of freedom and civilization against autocracy and barbarism.

"I cannot but keep her interests in my mind. I do not want the republic to take any detriment. I do not want dangers heaped upon us that would only cripple us in the good work we seek to do. I want to keep America as she has been-not isolated, not prevent her from joining other nations for these great purposes— but I wish her to be master of her fate.

"I am an American-born here, lived here, shall die here. I have never had but one flag, never loved but one flag. I am too old to try to love another, an international flag. I have never had but one allegiance, the allegiance of the United States. Personally, I am too old, I cannot divide it now. My first allegiance must stay where it has always been, to the people of the United States, my own people.

"I have no doubt that this great country, which has no alliance, which seeks no territory, which desires nothing so much as to keep the peace and save the world from all the horrors it has been enduring-I want her left in a position to do that work and not submit her to a vote of other nations with no resource except to break a treaty which she wishes to maintain. We must not only strive to keep the world at peace, we must try to

keep America as she is. I do not mean outside a league, but keep her as she is in her ideals and in her principles. Therefore study this question, think of it, think of it. Remember that the Senate at least will ultimately carry out the wishes of the American people. They want to look at it themselves, they want the people to look at it, and when that is done have no fear of the verdict.

"The verdict of the people, while it will be in favor of doing everything that this mighty nation can for the preservation of the world's peace, will not allow the United States to be put into a position where she will be in any degree injured, weakened, or crippled. I want to see her stand as she always has stood, for the right, for mercy, for help and benefit to all men, to the oppressed and those who struggle for freedom, all alike. Let her go on in her beneficient career, and I want to see her stand as she has always stood, strong and alive, triumphant, free."

SIX SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS TO THE
COVENANT OF THE LEAGUE
OF NATIONS1

The six amendments which Mr. Root suggests to the Constitution of the League of Nations, to which he refers in his letter, are as follows:

First Amendment

Strike out Article XIII. and insert the following:

The high contracting powers agree to refer to the existing Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, or to the Court of Arbitral Justice proposed at the Second Hague Conference when established, or to some other arbitral tribunal, all disputes between them (including those affecting honor and vital interests) which are of a justiciable character, and which the powers concerned have failed to settle by diplomatic methods. The powers so referring to arbitration agree to accept and give effect to the award of the tribunal.

1By Elihu Root. New York Times, March 31, 1919, p. 4.

361

Disputes of a justiciable character are defined as disputes as to the interpretation of a treaty, as to any question of international law, as to the existence of any fact which if established would constitute a breach of any international obligation, or as to the nature and extent of the reparation to be made for any such breach.

Any question which may arise as to whether a dispute is of a justiciable character is to be referred for decision to the Court of Arbitral Justice when constituted, or, until it is constituted, to the existing Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague.

Second Amendment

Add to Article IV. the following paragraphs:

.. The Executive Council shall call a general conference of the powers to meet not less than two years or more than five years after the signing of this convention, for the purpose of reviewing the condition of international law, and of agreeing upon and stating in authoritative form the principles and rules thereof. Thereafter regular conferences for that purpose shall be I called and held at stated times.

Third Amendment

Immediately before the signature of the American Delegates, insert the following reservation:

Inasmuch as in becoming a member of the League the United States of America is moved by no interest or wish to intrude upon or interfere with the political policy or internal administration of any foreign State, and by no existing or anticipated dangers in the affairs of the American continents, but accedes to the wish of the European States that it shall join its power to theirs for the preservation of general peace, the representatives of the United States of America sign this convention with the understanding that nothing therein contained shall be construed to imply a relinquishment by the United States of America of its traditional attitude toward purely American questions, or to require the submission of its policy regarding such questions (including therein the admission of immigrants) to the decision or recommendation of other powers.

Fourth Amendment

Add to Article X. the following:

After the expiration of five years from the signing of this convention any party may terminate its obligation under this article by giving one year's notice in writing to the Secretary General of the League.

Fifth Amendment

Add to Article IX. the following:

Such commission shall have full power of inspection and verification personally and by authorized agents as to all armament, equipment, munitions, and industries referred to in Article VIII.

Sixth Amendment

Add to Article XXIV. the following:

The Executive Council shall call a general conference of members of the League to meet not less than five or more than ten years after the signing of this convention, for the revision thereof, and at that time, or at any time thereafter upon one year's notice, any member may withdraw from the League.

NOV 12 1919

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