Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-08-14
LODGES ADDRESS
PL-EASES GALLERIES
Decorum of Senate Is Upset by
Plaudits from Galleries as
Mass. Senator Assails Cove
nant of League of Nations

Washington. Aug. 1.-THE traditional
decorum of Senate procedure was upset
to-day by an unusual demonstration of
approval from the galleries following an
address by Senator Lodge of Massa-
chusetts chairman Of the foreign rela-
tons committee, assniling provisions of
the. League of Nations covenant.
For more than minute the gallery
spectators applaudod and cheercd in
violation Ct Gepato rules, and then when
order had been restored they interrupted
with lowls and Kisses speech by Sena-
Tor Williams, democrat, of Mississippi,
n reply TO Mr.. Lodge. In spite of sharp
admonition from the chair there were
more Kisses mingled with applause when
Senator Hitchcock, democrat, of Nebraska
seconded Senator Williams speech.
Senator Lodges address. itself uninter-
rupted, was aimed chiefly against league
provisions which he said would make the
United States "a subject nation and
ended with an appeal for the preserva-
ton of Amcricanism. The covenant in
its present form, he asserted, would not
establish league of peace, but would
destroy the Monroe Doctrine and give
other nations the power to decide domes-
tic American questions and to order
American troops into foreign service.
Senator Williams bitterly assailed the
foreign relations chairman, declaring
that in three months of preparation he
had worded his address to serve republi-
can political ends and to play to the
galleries.
There was no appeal in Senator Lodges
address for rejection of the league alto
Eether nor was there any mention of
the program of reservations proposed by
seven republican senators as basis OF
it's acceptance.
1t was understood the reservation group
felt they had good ground for believing
that their proposal would be accepted by
Mr.. Lodge and that enough republicans
then could be lined up to insure success
Of the movement should the democratic
leaders give their assent.
The uproar in the Senate chamber fol-
lowed an equally tumultuous session OF
the foreign relations committee at which
David Hunter Miller. legal adviser to the
League OF Nations commission at Yer
sailles was vigorously questioned by re-
publican senators about the genesis OF
the league covenant and the meaning OF
some of its provisions.
Mr.. Miller said he never had seen the
lions until it was in printed form ready
for submission to the commission, ant
that later the basis of discussion by the
commission was a composite plan framed
, from the drafts of the various nations
by himself and C. j. p. Hurst, a lega
attache of the British foreign office
/ Under questioning the witness said h,
/ was Il law partner of Gordon Auchincloss
son-in-law of Col. e. NJ. House, and never
had any experience in internationa
negotiations until he was given an ap
pointment in the state department II
1917.
IT was the opinion of committee mem.
bers that Mr. Miller would not be re.
called and that no further witness would
be asked to come before the committee
in its consideration of the treaty. Some
members want to ask that Colone
House, who stlll is in Europe, be called
to answer questions about the league
but the general expectation is that the
proposal will be abandoned because toe
great delay would result.
The republican senators who have
agreed on a reservation program ar,
anxious that the treaty he disposed of n
the earliest possible moment and it i.
believed they will try to impress tina
/ sentiment at the forthcoming conference!
with Senator Lodge and others.
!
When a merchant, through enterprise
and organization, is able to offer 20,
goods at a ce-concession-isn't tina
fnn frrI,I