n two American Republics. Such authority would be
a serious menace to the Monroe Doctrine and a greater menace to the
Pan-American Doctrine.

"It appears to me that, if the first idea of the League can be worked
out in a practical way and an international body constituted to
determine when steps should be taken to enforce compliance, the use
of force might be avoided by outlawing the offending nation. No
nation to-day can live unto itself. The industrial and commercial
activities of the world are too closely interwoven for a nation
isolated from the other nations to thrive and prosper. A tremendous
economic pressure could be imposed on the outlawed nation by all
other nations denying it intercourse of every nature, even
communication, in a word make that nation a pariah, and so to remain
until it was willing to perform its obligations.

"I am not at all sure that this means is entirely feasible. I see
many difficulties which would have to be met under certain
conditions. But I do think that it is more practical in operation and
less objectionable from the standpoint of national rights and
interests than the one proposed by the League. It does not appear to
me that the use of physical force is in any way practical or
advisable.

"I presume that you are far more familiar than I am with the details
of the plans of the League and that it may be presumptuous on my part
to write you as I have. I nevertheless felt it my duty to frankly
give you my views on the subject and I have done so.

"Faithfully yours

"ROBERT LANSING

"THE PRESIDENT

"_The White House_"

The President, thus early advised of my unqualified opposition to any
plan which was similar in principle to the one advocated by the League
to Enforce Peace, naturally concluded that I would look with disfavor on
an international guaranty which by implication, if not by declaration,
compelled the use of force to give it effect. Doubtless he felt that I
would not be disposed to aid in perfecting a plan which had as its
central idea a guaranty of that nature. Disliking opposition to a plan
or policy which he had originated or made his own by adoption, he
preferred to consult those who without debate accepted his judgment and
were in sympathy with his ideas. Undoubtedly the President by refraining
from asking my advice spared himself from listening to arguments against
the guaran