The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-05-29
ARKANSAS SENATOR
| &FENDS LEAGUE OF
/ NATIONS COVENANT 7
ROBINSON DECLARES REPUBLIC
ANS SEEK TO MAKE TREATY
A PARTISAN MATTER.

Washington, May 2G.-The league OF
nations was supported as n logical and
practical organism, entirely consistent
with the American constitution, by Sen
ator Robinson. democrat, of Arkansas,
IN speech today in the senate. Op'
ponents of the league. the senator
charged, are making campaign of
Misrepresentation setting up flimsy OBJ
Jectlons that the proposal violates
American traditions. The covenant, he
asserted in no way impaired national
sovereignty or subverts American con.
sttutlonal principles.
THE objection that the league OF ma
tlons treaty creates a supergovernment
Is without foundation" said Mr.. Robin.
son. 1T can take no action in any inn
portant controversy without the con.
sent Of the United States. Its powers
are advisory. BY the treaty 1t becomes
the common agent Of the signatory pow.
ers to promote international co-opera.
ton ana peace. 1t is our agent. not
our master"
Replying directly to the constitution
al objections raised by Senator Sher.
man, republican, Of Illinois, and other
,eague opponents, the Arkansas senator
id the same objections applied with
II force to many treaties entered
il/o 10y the nation in the past. and
Z Which had been sound, practicable and
\ beneficiaL
h "A TIRE, Is not unconstitutional" he
D asserted lercly because it contains
agreements the execution OF which re
quires the exercise OF powers vested by
the constitution exclusively in the cN-
ecutive and legislative branches of the
government. To declare that no treaty
can BE- made which requires logisla.
tive action to execute it, or which
pledges the government to do some.
thing exclusively within the power of
the executive, would nullfy large ma.
jority of the treaties heretofore entered
into by the United States and render
the government powerless to maintain
foreign relations.
Under the constitution the sole pow
err to appropriate moneys is vested in .
congress. Nevertheless, we have made /
many treaties obligating the govern .
ment to the payment of sums agreed .
in he treaties of foreign nations and .
their citizens.
The sole power to levy taxes is vest
ed in congress. Many treaties have been .
made obligating the government to i'm
pose certain rates on exports ana to
collect specified rates on imports. Trea'
ties of reciprocity have been negotiated
with foreign nations involving mutual
rates to be levied on commerce. Such
treaties require Legislation by congress
;,,t hut
mot unconstitutional for that reason.
The United states has already en-
erred into many treaties pledging itself
OF to engage i'm war against certain
Aeign nations until the expiration of
/definite period, and it has also agreed
Wy treaty to settle many disputes by
arbitration. Notwithstanding such
agreements. congress still has the power
to declare war
"Vith respect to the allegation that
the mandatory provision is in conflict
with the constitution, the only ques-
tion of a constitutional nature arising
is whether the United States is forbid
den to govern or assist in the govern
ment of other countries. There is no
question under the revised draft of com
pelling the United States to act as a
mandate The language clearly and
expressly makes it optional.
Refers 10 Past Treaties.
"As early as 1916, the United States
gained the sovereignty Of New Granada
over the Isthmus Of Panama. BY the
treaty of 1903 we agreed to maintain the
of the republic of Panama.
In 1916 the United States by treaty,