New-York tribune., 1918-12-07
Senator Declares Public
Opinion, MOI Police
Force. Will Prevent War
Borah Derides the Plan
Secs Ii as Failure and
Brands British Scheme
Old Lady's Quilting Party

WASHINGTON, Dec 6. There was
general discussion in the Senate to-day
on the proposed league of nations,
with Senator's Lewis, Of Illinois; Walsh,
Of Montana, and Williams of Missis-
sippi, Democrats, supporting such an
organization, and Senators Borah, or
Idaho, Republican, and Reed. of Mis-
souri,. Democrat, opposing it. Few
Senator's followed the discussion, the
average attendance during the day
being about thirty.
The resolution of Senator Cummins,
of Iowa, Republican, proposing ap-
pointment of a Senate committee to
so to Paris and keep the Senate in
formed on events at the peace con-
ference was not brought up to-day be-
cause of the absence of its author. The
Senate adjourned tonight until next
Tuesday, when the war revenue bill
will be taken up, with right Of way
gwen IT. Peace discussion, however
is expected to continue during the de-
bate on this measure
Menace in Leagues Success
Senator Lewis opened the debate to-
he asserted that public opinion rather
than armed force must be relied upon
20 enforce the DEGREES of the league
of nations, and said that the successful
operation of the league may give
greater cause for apprehension than it's
failure because OF the demands that
may be made by one group Of nations
on another. He said, however that ne
believed the benefits to be derived by
all nations from the league would com
pensate for any sacrifices that might
have to be made.
Sees Perils Ahead
Senator Lewis said:
IN Asia, Japan, taking China in her
guardianship, will solicit Britain and
France to demand of US, as faithful
ally. the abolishment Of exclusion of
the ASlatlc from our citizenship. And
II these European Allies decline, they
become the victims of Japsn's national
discrimination in trade. If they con-
sent and successfully prevail upon US,
promptly will they exact of Japan and
her associates to command US to take
down the barriers of obstruction to
Europe in South and Central America
called the Monroe Doctrine From
all these our to-morrows are filled with
perlls and our to-days with a warning
We must insist now on unrestricted
freedom of the seas. | define this for
the United States to be an open sea,
free ports, free harbors, to US to the
same extent any nation extends to it's
own people and as extended by the
United States to other nations | feel
that to us free Suez Canal as to
Britain and free Mediterranean as to
France is due in exchange for our max
ing our Panama Canal and Manila Bav
Zee to these nations From these de-
mands we will run counter to a self
serving interest long preserved bv
these people as their policy of com
nerclal preservation. For US to de
mand the abandonment of these means
confusion and embarras ssment from
which can follow what has followed
from similar situations in past years
conflict
Fears Future Trouble
Referring to President Wilson's mis-
sion abroad, Senator Lewis quoted :.
Biblical passage in which Moses was
warned against making "a covenant
with the inhabitants of the land
whittier thou goest, lest it be for a
snare in the midst of thee"
h u put before the country this warn
|f ing, said Senator Lewis, that in the
~ past the great wars of the world have
been conducted between those who pre-
viously were Allies and grew from the
execution of compacts of peace. So
called, of those who were called Allies
Il will not be blind to this prospect
even as between ourselves and those