Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 54, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 October 1920 — ARTICLE 10 [ARTICLE]

ARTICLE 10

. Article 10 of the league Of nations has been persistently misrepresented by those who oppose the It is claimed by Watson, Wood and the enemies of the league genarticle 10 gives the council of the league of nations the power to declare war, and to compel the United States to mix up in every petty boundary dispute and racial disturbance in Europe, league. It reacts as follows: ~ “The members of the league undertake to respect and preserve against external aggression the territorial integrity and existing political Independence of all members of tye league. In case of any such aggression or in case of any threat or danger of such aggression the council shall advise upon the means by which this obligation shall be fulfilled.” This is not true. A careful reading of article 10 will disclose at once that the council has NO POWER WHATEVER TO DECLARE WAR; it has the power only of advising what shall be done in case any nation that is a member of the league invades the territory of any other member. The WORDING IS ABSOLUTELY" PLAIN. It has all along been conceded by such men as ex-President Taft, Mr. Wickersham, Mr. Root, Mr. Eliott, Mr. Hughes and Senator Lenroot that article 10 DOES NOT take away from congress the sole right to declare war. It is only such men as Johnson, Borah, Watson, New, Lodge and Wood, bitter enemies of the league, ■ who still persist that a combination of European nations have the right under article 10 to send our boys overseas to "fight whenever It suits their purpose. This is a part of the Infamous propaganda started by the senatorial cabal and followed by every parroting political orator educated in the recent “school for speakers,” instituted by the Republican state committee. The supreme court of the United States in the case of Thomas Gay (169 U. S. 271) held that: “A treaty which is violative of our constitution is void." This is the universal rule and no lawyer who cares for his reputation will state otherwise. The American

Bar association, made up of the biggest lawyers In the United States, have endorsed the league of nations. Under article IX), we cannot be forced Into any war without our own full consent through congress, because the finding of the council of the league of nations on the question whether war shall be advised by It, must be unanimous, arid the United States will be, under the terms of the league covenant, a permanent member of the council. America’s representative on the council must consent to this advice j before it can become a part of the [finding of the council. The United States representative on the council will vote as he is directed to vote, and if he votes against the advice for war there will be no such advice by the council. It is said that if the council decides to advise war, that the United States cannot get away from that advice/and that we will be morally bound to" go to war. But as there can be no advice by- the council to go to war without the consent of the United States through congress, there- will be no moral obligation whatever, unless our congress fully agrees to follow the advice, and in that case, congress will have to be consulted. Congress alone can declare war! The truth of the matter is that this senatorial cabal propaganda is insisted on to impose upon the ignorant. It fools nobody who has read the covenant except those who want to be fooled. The Republican party in its platform, and Senator Harding In his letter of acceptance, denounced the league; Senator Watson and Senator New both are against it; Coolidge, who was elected governor of Massachusetts on a platform indorsing the league of nations, was once for it, is now against it; and all this because of party necessity; why should the women of the land and the independent voter take the word of the ENEMIES of the covenant for what it means? They misrepresent and distort it. Read the great document for yourselves and do not be led astray by apostles of misrepresentation. —Lafayette Times. . .