The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-30
Launch Attack in Senate on
President Wilson's Speech.
Sees Flag ''Leading March
Straight to He'll of War;"
APPROVES WORLD COURT IDEA
Urges President to Stop Europe
War il He Can.
Senator Lewis Denies Plan ViO-
IateS Monroe Doctrine.

Washington, Jan. 3O.-Opening de-
bate in the senate today on President
Wilson's world peace proposal, Sena-
tor Cummins, Republican, declared
that to do what the president sug-
gests would involve the United States
in almost constant world war or con-
slant rebellion against the authority
Of world sovereignty the president
proposes.
Asserting that he stood with the
president in every moral effort posi-
bic to exert to bring an end to the
present war, Senator CumminS said he
refused to follow him when he leads
the way toward the world sovereignty
which he has proposed.
Before Senator CumminS began
speaking, Senator Lewis, Democratic
whip, most prominent senate defender
of the presidents peace moves, intro
duced a resolution which he tenn
porarily had laid on the table. declar-
ing that the address which the Iowa
senator criticised did not suggest
abolition or limitation of the Monroe
doctrine or military aggression by the
United States in foreign countries.
Wants Time Set for Debate.
Senator Cummins spoke directly to
his resolution, which would set aside
time for exclusive debate of the pres
ident's recent peace address, but he
its merits that had aroused thought
and debate turnout the civilized
world. Declaring that the message
'overflows with just and beautiful
sentiments so eternally right that
thev instantly command the approval
of all lovers of humanity" Senator
Cummins said it was easy to raise a
banner of humanitarianism but that.
lit is a sad spectacle however, to see
a flag raised in devotion to the heaven
of peace leading a march straight 10
the hell of war;
Il affirm as my belief said SEN
ator Cummins. that if this country
shall do what the president proposes.
we will be involved. either in almost
continuous war waged all over the
world, or we will be engaged in al
most constant rebellion against the
authority which he proposes to set up
/ over us. No man shall accuse me of
questioning the sincerity of the presl-
dent in his attachment to the doctrine
he advocates nor must it be insisted
that I doubt the honesty of his con-
viction that the new world power will
fairly re-divide the earth among ma
lions and will be able to preserve
/ peace among them. If l did not think
that he is honest in this delusion i
would not be interested in the discus
sion. If he stood alone as prepayment
of a new theory in human affairs. it
might not be necessary to make it the
subject of grave consideration.
Approves of World Court.
But the truth is that the proposal
has been before the world for cen
turtles; has been at one time or anOth-
er the dream of sageS and philosoph-
ers and in our country was being
urged by men of the highest prom
/ inence long before it attracted the at
tention of the chief executive. These
facts make the action about to be TAX
en- by the president serious and for
midable and the suggestion that the
president calls upon US who believe
that the plan can end in nothing but
disaster to utter a note of warning.
! THE movement to reorganize a
world court and to broaden to its ex-
/ IRENE limit the field of arbitration
has always had my cordial approval
| and I have never ceased to hope that
/ in the progress of time war would be-
come infrequent, if not impossible and
| it is only when it is contemplated tic
i confer upon such a tribunal or league
or sovereignty, it matters not how it is
described the power to use armies
and navies to enforce its DEGREES or to
make contracts to fight in a quarrel
not our own that my opposition be-
lrvf,,