Show INDORSEMENT GIVEN I PEACE lEAGUE BY BRYAN I Candidate Ex-Candidate for President Suggests Amendments to Covenant By Associated Press W March William Jennings Bryan issued a statement hero hezo Tuesday night Indorsing the league of nations but suggesting amendments to the proposed constitution lion tion which among other other things would preserve specifically the Monroe doctrine doe doc trine enlarge the proportionate voting power powel oj of the United States and make it clear that each member nation might decide for itself whether it would support support sup sup- port decrees ot of the leagues league's general genera council While pointing to imperfections Bryan urged that they should not be allowed to lead to rejection ot of the plan declaring that risks to be run in accepting accepting ac- ac the league were less than those involved in rejection and returning returning- to the old ways ot of blood and slaughter Br Bryan an dictated the statement from his sick bed He said the league ot of nations idea the greatest step toward peace in a thousand years was taken from th the thirty thirty- arbitration treaties negotiated by the United States while he was secretary sec sec- of state It was not to be expected expected ex- ex he said that so great an idea would be made perfect in detail in so short a time and added that while I President Wilson Vilson had done the best he be could he would be helped by intelligent in- in I and friendly criticism from the American public BRYANS BRYAN'S VIEWS The statement in part follows The league ot of nations is the greatest greatest great great- est step toward peace in a thousand years The Tho idea ot of substituting reason for force in the settlement of International rna int disputes is in itself an epoch I making advance The constitution ot of the league as announced provides for tor three things which constitute in themselves them them- selves an the importance ot of which can scarcely be estimated The idea is taken from the thirty treaties negotiated by the United States with three quarters ot of the world Our nation therefore gives to the peace league its greatest piece ot of machinery Second the reduction ot of armaments will make mae it Impossible for fora a nation to prepare for war without j i notifying the world ot of Its intention Third the abolition ot of secret treaties which will do much to prevent the combinations which lead to war It If the league ot of nations did nothing more than provide these three things our nation would be justified in supporting it to the utmost DISCUS DISCUSSION ION NEEDED It is not to be expected that so 50 great an idea as the league ot of nations would be made perfect in in detail in so short a time There are d defects that should be corrected and the fullest discussion discussion dis- dis ot of proposed amendments be invited The newspapers ot of Great Britain France and Italy are not b backward back back- ck- ck ward in the expression ot of their views as to changes that should be made Why should the AmerIcan people be silent Ours is the nation most influential in the league and most powerful because because be- be cause most disinterested Its people should help by free and frank trank discussion discussion discus discus- sion to perfect the league The president president dent has done the best he could but buthe buthe he will wll be aided by intelligent criticism from those friendly to the idea AMENDMENTS SUGGESTED I venture to point out certain amendments that should in my Judgment judgment Judg- Judg ment be made in the interest ot of a stronger and better league FIrst the basis ot of representation is not fair to the United States A comparison ot of voting strength will show that while OUr our nation is the most powerful in the combination whether measured by population wealth or moral influence It has no larger vote than nations much interior inferior in population wealth and influence This inequality ought I it if possible to be corrected for tor justice is the only foundation upon which any aDY institution can rest in permanent se- se TERMS OF ADMISSION Second the terms ot of admission to nations that may desire to join hereafter here here- alter after are not fair To require a two two- thirds vote to admit a new nation suggests suggests sug- sug the social club where a a. few tew black balls may keep out an uncongenial uncongenial genial applicant This world league is for the world The president has well said that our nation is not Interested II in a league unless all nations are in it The qualification for admission ought to be e fixed and then it ought to be made as easy as possible for those who are qualified to gain admission Under Under Un- Un der no circumstances should the consent consent con con- sent of more than a majority be required required re- re for tor the admissIon of any qualified fied nation It ought to be definitely stated that thata a nation asked to become a a. mandatory is nt at liberty to accept or decline Again It should be made clear clear- that the league is not to interfere In the Internal affairs at- at fairs of the nations belonging to the league The Tho league is for the settlement settlement settle settle- ment ot of international disputes not for forthe forthe the adjustment ot of differences between a nation and its own people |