He particularly pointed out the possibility of Japan raising the question before the executive council of our exclusion laws. Unquestionably the league would have the power under the proposed constitution to open our gates to Japanese. Chinese. and oriental immigration. or else we would have to repudiate every contract made in the league. Forcibly preventing the landing of such immigrants after the award would constitute an act of war. and by that act we. by the terms of this article. would be at war with every member of the league. and would suffer all the penalties in the article provided. Are the American people ready to submit the determination of our immigration laws to a league of nations? Mr. President. I undertake to say that no constitutional lawyerand I do not make any pretense of being suchof standing in the United States would ever render an opinion that. if this league constitution be adopted as now proposed. our immigration laws will not be within the jurisdiction of the league of nations. All that is necessary to give this league of nations jurisdiction is a dispute between two nations. a dispute under one article. that may lead to a rupture. Will anyone say from the experiences we have had in the past that there has been no dispute between Japan and the United States on this question? Will anyone say that. if this constitution be ratified. the very next day Japan can not again raise the question which she has raised before. and. on our failing to come to an agreement that is satisfactory to her. under the very provisions. the explicit provisions. of this constitution. she may appeal to the executive council. and the executive council then must take jurisdiction of the dispute? There can not be any question of the jurisdiction of the league over immigration laws or any other of our domestic laws that may be in dispute with any other nation. Ah. Mr. President. the reply to that criticism made today by the Senator from Nebraska . and the reply that is being made by other defenders of this league in the form in which it now stands. is always "President Wilson says that is not so. President Wilson says that it is clear this league would have no jurisdiction of our immigration laws." but President Wilson will not be the final interpreter of the jurisdiction that Is conferred upon this league of nations by this constitution. That will be determined by the interpretation of the constitution itself. and it will be determined by the interpretations. presumably. of men versed in international law. and it is no answer either to this criticism. or any other. that President Wilson says it is not so. Article 17 deals with nonmember States. and in case of disputes provides for membership in the league for the purpose of such disputes.
Keywords matched
immigration immigrants