The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-31
Commoner Tells Why Cove nant Should Be Adopted. Resolution Instructing Congressman to Vote for Measure Is Adopted

Following the address made by William Jennings Bryan or the league of nations last night, as many persons as could bel packed into the First Baptist church stood up on a vote in Gorsing the league and instruct ing their congressman to vote in its favor. Dr. c: W. Saleeby, who is one of the party with Mir. Bryan, said that the ad- dress of the great commoner was the most memorable one he had ever heard.
 Before o'clock, the time set for the beginning of the programme, the church was filled with people. On account of bad weather it was impossible to hold the meeting in Woodrow Wilson park | and hundreds were turned away from | the church.
 Commissioner John R. Hornady pre- sided. Those who made short talks were Commissioner Hornady, Judge William c. Davis of Gadsden. Dr. C. w. SaleebE | of London Rev. R. B. S. Hammond ol Sidney, Australia, and E. R. Sinclair of 1 Bellville, Canada. | THREE PROVISIONS l Mir. Bryan pointed out three provisions | Of I pa of Nati urbio ax l protective against war and which will | enable nations to live peaceably among | themselves. They were that the nations | will be required to wait three months be- ] fore taking up arms in case of a dispute that the nations will disarm themselves, | and that secret treaties will be abolished. | The address was full of humor, yet firm and convincing. The audience was | quiet and attentive, except at times when they cheered the Nebraskan long | and loudly.
 T have been like a balloonist' said MT. Bryan. "He attaches himself to the | ropes and merely holds on while the balloon ascends. I attribute my success to having caught on to great causes and having merely had sense enough to hold on while they go up
 BACKED INTO IT
 "The truth that is back of the league | is that some of our public men have backed into it. It is a shame that na- tions have been prepared to go to wal on moments notice, and that there has been absolutely no machinery for peace The United States on August s, 1913 made the treaty that was the first tc provide a regular machinery for peace l Since that time we entered similar Urea ties with most of the great nations O the world. The President took oul treaties as a corner stone and laid th' foundation for the league of nations.
 "'We will not have to send armies t, help any country keep down domestic troubles. It has been stated specifcall, l that the matter must be an internationa
 one, if other countries support wtl I troops. The Monroe doctrine has bee
 protected. There can be no misunder
 standing about that. And any nation ca
 withdraw in two years.
 | WILL PASS SENATE q have no doubt but that it will pas
 the Senate of the United States by
 large majority. I know the senator!
 They want to do what the America
 people want done, especially those who's
 terms expire next year. And thos
 whose terms expire in 1921 have thei
 ears to the ground and are complanin $, because the Lord did not make them S
 that they could put both ears to tr . ground at the same time.
 We have to choose between two alte ! natives-the league of nations, whic ' might, and, l believe, will, save us fro | war, and the old plan, which certainl
 will take us back to war. It is not tc
 much to expect that the machinery thu
 furnished will make this the last war | stain this old world.
 PEOPLE FAVORABLE
 ''The people favor the covenant. If u Y Senate does not ratify, those senate who oppose it will have to answer \ their constituency for embezzlement ! power All laws are compromises.