The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-06
PUBLIC OPINION
TO RULE WORLD,
SAYS SEN. LEWIS

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.--Public opin-
ion and not military force. should and
will be the chief factor In enforcing
DEGREES of a league OF nations, Senator
Lewis, of Illinois. Democrat, declared
today In an address In the senate, It
brought about the defeat Of Germany
and 1t is to public opinion that the
world must look In the future to pre-
serve peace.
Senator Lewis said that because of
the demands that may be made by
some nations as against others, the
successful operation of the league may
furnish greater cause for apprehension
than its failure to function, illustrating,
he said:
IN Asia, Japan, taking China in
her guardianship, will solicit Britain
and France to, demand OF us, as
faithful ally, the abolishment Of ex-
clusion Of the Asiatic from our citizen
ship. And II these European allies de-
cline they become the victims of Ja-
pans natural Discrimination In trade.
II they consent and successfully pre-
vail upon US, promptly will they expect
Of Japan and her associates to com,
Of obstruction to Europe In South and
Central America--called the Monroe
doctrine. From all these our tomor-
rows are filled with perils and cur
tOQaYS WI n WaTnllk.
Must Be Firm.
1--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 use
to the same extent any nation extends
70 its 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
making our Panama canal and Manila
bay free to these nations From these
demands we will run counter to self
people as their policy Of commercial
preservation. For US to demand the
abandonment OF these means confusion
and embarrassment, from which can
follow what has followed from similar
situations in past years-conflict.
II may not live TO see the develop
nnent Of this anticipated danger, and
II may never arise, On the other hand,
there are those in my country who feel
that II these dangers which ! appre-
hend should arise, that the conceding
OF the demands which may be sought
TO AVOID these dangers would be small
in their loss compared to the great
gains which through all the time pre-
ceding we would enjoy from the policy
inaugurated and established by this
league"
Referring to President Wilson's mis-
sion abroad, Senator Lewis quoted a
Biblical passage In which Noses was
warned against making "a covenant
with the inhabitants Of the land whith-
or thou goest. Lent II be for snare
in the midst OF thee"
81 put before the country this warn
ing said Senator Lewis, that in the
past the great wars OF the world have
been conducted between those who pre-
vlously were allies, and grew from the
execution OF compacts OF peace, So
called. Of those who were called the
allies.
Il will not be blind to this prospect
even as between ourselves and those
we now call the allies. 1t Ia because
OF this that l speak TO provide q meth
cd in the hope that when these things
do arise the consequences may be min
imized to where war may be avoided" !"