The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-04
SHERMAN PREDICTS
DEFEAT OF LEAGUE
Says Senate VIII Not Trans.
late Impossible Idealism
Into National Suicide.
M'CUMBER DEFENDS PLAN
Says Tt Provides Tribunal to
Hear international
Disputes.
Special DsspatcA to THn sus.

WARRINGTON, March 0.-DiscussionB
Of the League OF Nations persistently
obtruded In the business OF the con-
GLIDING day OF Congress. While the
speeches Of Senator McCumber IN. d..
mildly supporting the league constitu-
ton while damning It with faint praise.
and Of Senator Sherman tTn), We
hemsntly damning tine documents and
praisins nothing about II, received Sc
rious attention from the galleries. they
were accorded but little from the men,
bers Of the Senate.
Senator MoCumber's speech was the
first utterance from a Republican Sena-
tor In which the document brought home
by President Wilson received even kindly
consideration Senator McCumber criti-
cised his own partisans for having con-
demned the document without coming
forward with q substitute.
He did not tarry long in his praises
Of the Wilson peace plan, but he found
this to say In It's favor, namely that
the document did not compel nations to
submit to arbitration but did offer OPP
portunity for the questions OF interna-
tional dispute to be subjected to a COM
petent tribunal Of inquiry.
Hits Poindexter's stand.
Senator McCumber assailed the po-
sition taken by Senator Poindexter OF
Washington very earnestly.
Suppose controversy between ia
pan and the United States arose with
regard to immigration" suggested Sem
ator Jones Of Washington.
III that should be taken before the
body OF delegates. and they should be
unanimous in their decision against our
contention. what would be the effect?
How could we be compelled to submit
to their flndings?"
I'VE would not submit It to arbitra-
ton" said Senator McCumber. I'VE
could not submit 1t any more than we
could surrender the entire United States
to Japan.
Suppose the Senator from Washing
ton. the Senator from Minnesota and
myself should agree to submit to one
another questions that would affect our
friendly relations. and as result a
| decision should be reached by the other
two that should be executed. l would
say l never agreed to submit my life
that you should help me defend my
life and liberty. Everything in this
document IL based on that principle"
Senator McCumber held that II all the
facts In any controversy are presented
"the people of the world are intelligent
enough 30 that they will not support an
unjust cause"
'T DO not believe" Senator McCumber
| continued, that Germany would have
gone to war II the German people had
understood that this was a war OF op-
| preston and robbery OF France and
Italy. II would have taken the hear,
| out OF the German soldier II he knew
ne was ffShting a war OF oppression and
| injustice instead OF one for the defence
| OF the fatherland, as he believed"
Senator McCumber devoted more than
an hour to discussion of the attitude
OF the Allies. particularly the United
States. toward Russia and condemned
| bitterly the desertion of Russia IN heI
| hour OF stress.
Senator Sherman declared that the
League of Nations sounded the death
knell OF the American republic and &C.
get himself up as the drum major OF
civilization"
He 1.-THE Presidentl,' said Senator
| Sherman. "adro!tly man9uvrss him
| self into the spotlight as the fountain OF
peace perpetual and the guardian OF
mankind. AS he kept us out OF war
| In 1915, 20 he will keep US out OF i'm
pending war conJured Up to serve the
issues Of 1920 and keep us at peace
forever II we accept him again. With
him az the drum major OF civilization
eternal peace betting the earth and
brooding ike a gentle spirit DER a still
| and credulous world. we can proclaim
the millennium here"
Impossible Idealism PeriIous.
81 ~
| Senate stand firm against the tide OF
| "emotionallsm" threatening to sweep the
| country into the League OF Nations.
THE Senate" he asserted, never
| faced a greater task nor n nobler duty.
| He predicted the Senate would reject
the covenant.
1T will not ratify an emotion nor
| translate an impossible idealism into
| weapon Of national suicide" he pro-
claimed.
The Senator challenged the Admin.
istration TO permit the repeal of the
| espionage act 30 as to permit the utmost
| liberty OF speech in the discussions OF
the League OF Nations throughout the
| country.
! This league" said Senator Sherman
sends the angel OF death 90 every
American home. VIII the American peo-
, pile approve this proposal7 On this,
challenge the President and the AID.
| min!stration before the American peo-
Pile. call upon the President to consent
to the repeal of the espionage act so that
the restrictions may be lifted from free
! speech and a free press and full dis
cussion of the details OF this scheme.
%If the resident IL rot a political
and governmental coward. he Will com
ply with this demand"
| EnGEC IApAM To IEAnnE