The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-30
REED IN ATTACK
ON WORLDLEAGUE
CALLS It FAILURE
Senator Says Idea Is Thou
sands of Years Old and Has
Always Proved No Good in
Various Trials.

NEW YORK, Dec. 30.-The theory Of
a league Of nations is no new discovery,
but Is thousands Of years old, having
appeared at various times and failed OF
its purpose in successive ages declared
Senator James A. Reed, OF Missouri. IN
an address at a dinner OF the Society
Of Arts and Sciences here last night,
He predicted the plan would not
stand the acid test of reason and eXpe-
rience,' and in explaining what he be-
lieyed was meant by a league OF ma
tons, said generally the proposal em-
braced every sort Of intellectual vagary
and poetic fancy. -.
ut Is referred to as a parliament OF
man and confederation Of the world,
he continued, (which, as ! understand
1t, is a sort Of International mutual ad-
miration society with the sermon on
the mount for a constitution and the
apostolic creed for a guide. In that
seraphic congregation all men are to
be good and all women fair, all thoughts
holy, all songs inspired Il gentle love
with golden scepter is TO rule with the
human heart. The chief trouble with
the vision is that 1t a only be realized
In heaven" ,
Senator Reed attacked the proposed
league as a surrender OF the rights Tor
which the American revolutionists
fought and q violation Of the warning
OF "thc fathers Of the republic against
NAAAaAA AAhAE hLlAAhA'NRH ~
the league, he asserted, would mean tho
transfer TO European governments OF
the powers Of the congress of the Unit
ed States to declare war, maintain IT'S
armies and nayies, suppress revolutions
and repel invasions,
A feature that stands in the way OF
a league of nations, he said, was how
representation would be allotted,
Shall representation lie In accord
anoe with the populations Of the IA
tons he asked, India has "A popu-
lation of 3l5, 900, 600. II she is given tho
right Of self-determinatiun. then India,
China and Russia could out-vOte all OF
Europe and the United States
In the league, he maintained, would
be nations Of many and varied Ideals
different in languages and customs ant
among which disagreemcnts were bount
to arise sooner or later. Pointing tt
Americas civil war he asserted tina
two sections OF the United States, con
nected by many bonds, had wade
through blood over SO miserable a ques'
ton as the enslavement Of II few
blacks"
Asserting that he would never con
sent that American citizens shall h'
ordered TO battle by the majority vot,
OF an international league OF congress
composed Of the representatives Of for
eign governments, many Of which ar
laggards in the march Of civilization
and opponents OF autocracy and tyran
NY" Mr.. Reed said he would not cvel
ALLOW our great and pursuant allie
and friends, England and France, L
share in the control of our nationa
destiny" Serbia. Rumania, Italy
Montenegro and Greece he said
while our allies for the day, are di
vlded from us In language, history
aspirations and forms Of government
and should not be allowed to make dc
cisions affecting interests of this gov
eminent.
'Who. looking at laggard Spain an
benighted Portugal, Is willing they sha
sit as our equals In q congress OF ma
tons and vote upon your destiny h
asked,