New-York tribune., 1919-02-16
Wilson Urges
League Debate
Be Postponed
Continued from page 1

debate and assisted materially in the
drafting Of this constitution.
Each article was passed only after
the most careful examination by each
member of the committee There is
good and sufficient reason for the
phrascology and substance of each
article. request that be permitted
to go over with you article by arti-
Gle the constitution before this part
of the work of the conference is
made the subject of debate by Con-
gress. With this in view, | request
that you dine with me at the White
House as soon after I arrive in the
United States as my engagements
permit"
End of Mrnroe Doctrine
The news that the President had
urged silence until his return and of
his promise to explain in detail was
received after day in which virtually
every conversation around the cloak
rooms and corridors of the Capitol
centred on the proposed league of ma
tions. Sentiment for and against the
league, which yesterday was headed
off by the impossibility of quickly
comprehending so involved and com
plicated proposition, to-day began
crystallizing very rapidly, and Sena-
tors were expressing themselves rath-
er freely.
Opposition to the league, judging
from most of the comments made to-
day. is based chiefly on the old Amer
icanism idea. Virtually every one con-
cedes that the new league will bury
for all time the Monroe Doctrine.
Friends of the new proposal admit that
this is true, but say the new league
removes the necessity for the Monroe
Doctrine and relieves the United
States of this duty which it has so
long carried. Opponents of the plan,
however, declare this sacrifice of the
"Amerca for Americans" idea and the
Western Hemisphere from the quar-
rels of the Eastern is far too great
sacrifice to make in return for the
doubtful benefits Of granting this
country and others in this hemisphere
the right to put their fingers in the
quarrels of Europe, Asia and Africa.
Japan Might Police Mexico
A distinguished member of the For
eign Relations Committee, who refused
to be quoted by name, pointed out that
this phase of the situation presented
very grave problems to the American
people which should be considered by
them most carefully.
Eve must face the possibility" he
pointed out, "that at some time, and be-
cause of circumstances which might
arise, Japan might easily be made the
mandatory power of the league of ma
bO, 10
or to bring order out Of chaos in that
country. On another occasion Great
Britain might be made the mandatory
power to intervene in Venezuela and
restore order by the sword in that
country.
at may be that with league of ma
tions established, and with the promise
at least Of ending all war, the people of
the United States might agree to sacri-
flee the Monroe Doctrine, and even be
willing that japan and Great Britain
Western Hemisphere. 1t is matter,
however, on which | would like to hear
from the people. Personally, am not
enamored of it"
Not to Halt Senate Debate
The Presidents decision to talk over
the PROPOSED constitution Of the league
committees of the two houses of Con-
gress probably will not cut off speeches
on the subject in the Senate, though it
will prevent the introduction of resolu-
tiOns by Admins stratiOn Senator's, as
they had planned to do on Monday, in
dorsing the proposed constitution, with
view to forcing the Senate to go on
record in favor of the Presidents ideas.
1t will be the first time in all the
troublesome and ticklish international
times since the outbreak of the Eu
ropean war that the President has
conferred with the membership of
either committee as body. During
the Panama Canal tolls fight, the
President had the members of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee at
the White House one night, but that
was before the outbreak of the Euro
pean war.
Senators tonight commented that
the dinner to be held on the Presi
dents return, reminded them of the
time the President came up to the