New-York tribune., 1918-12-05
Williams Tells Senate League
Would Kill Any Offending
Nation Like a Mad Dog
Reed Ridicules Plans
A sDreamer's Dream," He
Says, Since Foreigners
Would Dictate Americas
Policies
By Carter Field

WASHING iCN. Dec. +--W hat is
generally accepted by Senators to might
as an accurate statement of President
Wilson's ideas on the league of nations
was set forth in the Senate to-day by
John Sharp Williams, Of Mississippi, at
the close Of discussion of the sub
ject which had lasted all day.
The Williams version was at once
bitterly assailed by Senator Reed, of
Missouri, whose sarcastic comments
on the league of nations idea. and his
Characterization of the generally ac-
cepted theory as a "dreamer's dream
stung Mr.. Williams to reply.
League as Proposed
Briefly stated, this is the Williams
idea of the league of nations, which is
accepted as the Wilson idea due to the
clCseness of Senator Williams to the
President, especially AS it followed his
apparently inspired statement of yes
terday:
An International agreement binding
all the nations to submit euarrels TO
arbitration. the decision Of which
would be enforced by all the military
and naval power which the members
of the league could bring to bear,
and any offending nation which
should run amuck and bring on war
to be "killed like mag dog. for it
the seas. however, Is to be retained
by Great Britain and the United
States.
Others Might Not Argue
Senator Reed commented that this
sort of league Of nations, absolutely
dominated by England aud America
through control Of sea power, might
be satisfactory to MIR Williams, and
TO Americans and Britishers, but might
not be so satisfactory to the other
countries.
The effect of such a Qualification, he
said, would be to make the interna-
tional laws so clear that a nation vio-
lating them would at once stand out
ewed before the world, at which time
the force of public opinion would be
so strong as TO force the recalcitrant
nation into line,
He wants military preparedness,
however, so that il some such nation
does persist in stepping over the line,
ton to defend its rights. Modifying
this suggestion Of another interna-
tionsl armament race, he proposed that
international agreements might be ne
gotiated for the reduction Of arma-
ments.
Still third view of the League of
Nations was presented to-day by SEN
atOr Kellogg, Of Minnesota, His idea
is in between that of Senators Reed
and Williams. He would have q league
OF nations, the members Of which
should be bound to submit all quarrels
to arbitration, and relying on the force
OF public opinion to compel obedience
TO the decisions of the arbitration com
missions.
All three views as expressed to-day
avoided the international army and
navy idea regarded as the most 1adi-
cal proposal in connection with the
league OF peace plan-and also tho in
ternatlonal court or tribunal, Senator
Reed does not suggest any provision
binding the nations in advance to arbi-
tratlon. but the other two views pro-
vide for this. Mr.. Reeds fear on this
point is that there are too many oues-
tions. such as those involving the Mon
roe Doctrine, which he does not think
this country would agree to haev sub
mltted to arbitration, particularly
questions which might affect the Mon
roe Doctrine.
Wants Purposes Clear
Mr. Reeds own suggestion on the
tional congress should codify all inter
national law adm write some new inter
national law, the effect Of which would
De to make perfectly clear its purposes.
Chairman Hitchcock of the Foreign
Relations Committee, though he did not
speak to-day, tavors the recognition by
any league Of nations which might be
set up of the Monroe Doctrine as fun
damental international law, so that dis
p9tes affecting any country IN either
or the Americas would be considered
WIN que regard to the recognized fact
that the Monroe Doctrine must he OBJ
served. ~ w
Other Views to Come
resides these very divergent views
OF the league Of nations. which will ho
followed, judging from comments to1
night, by many other speeches. evnrecs.
ing views not in harmony with anv ev-
pressed to-day, several Senators took
action or made speeches not eyactiv
IN harmony with the President onneal
TOR the added strength" at the neoca
table Of the united support Of Con-
gress.
Senator Frelinghuysen introduced q
resolution demanding that the Pros
dent furnish to Congress and the conn
try an explanation of just what ia
meant DV MS fourteen peace terms
Before attempting to impose such an.
Interpretation upon" the peace confer.
ence. The introduction of this re-
solution furnished the cause of most
of the speeches, which occupied the
entire day.
Asks Open Session
Snator Borah introduced resolution
providing for open session of the
Senate during the discussion of the
peace treaty when it is submitted to
the Senate for ratification, SO that an
opportunity may be afforded to per
init public opinion to crystalline be-
fore the Senate passes final judgement
on the various provisions Of the treaty.
Senator Cummins. ut hearing given
hlm by the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee. urged the adoption of is
resolution providing for a Senatorial
Committee of eight members, four
Democrats and four Republicans 10
go to Versailles in order to become
thoroughly familiar with the proceed
lngs OF the Peace Conference, and ad-
wise the Senate later when the treaty
comes up for ratification
Reeds Criticism Harsh
While several Republican Senators
spoke to-day, it was Senator Reed,
democrat, who was most harsh in his
Criticisms of what are considered the
RESIDENTS ideas
j., For the first time" said Senator
EKeed, after Senator Williams had out
r.