The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-16

common interest The Constitution of
the United States vests in Congress
alone the power to regulate commerce
with foreign nations.' The proposal by
this Article XVIII. to vest this power in q
foreign league Is unconstitutional. Fur
thermore. II Ii abhorrent to the self
respect of the United States and a sur
render of our sovereignty.
Article XIX. pledges the United States
to participate In the guardianship Of
Syria. Armenia and various people of
Central Africa In the fulilment of our
obligations under such a trust we would
be called upon inevitably to send armed
vessels and forces into various parts OF
the world at enormous expense and pos
sible loss OF life."
Other Senators endeavored to sum UP
briefly the opinion on the entire docu-
inent I'm a few words The following
may be accepted as giving n fair sur
vey OF the attitude OF the Senate on the
problem:
Senator New (Ind.. Rep.t "One or
the greatest objection of the proposed
constitution OF the League OF Nations to
my mind Is that II affects most adversely
the Monroe Doctrine. which think Is
the very last thing which the American
people will want to surrender. realize
that to gain something In havlns 4
League OF Nations we must surrender
something. but II seems to me tina. the
Monroe Doctrine Is the last thing we
ought to sacrifice. The positive benefits
Of tho proposal I have not discovered
yet"
Senator Hoke Smith tGa.. Dennis II
want more time to study the proposed
constitution. want to hear what the
President has to say. In 4 general way
favor cooperation OF the nations to
maintain peace"
Senator Smith (Mich.. RepJi "The
| responsibility OF the American Govern
ment IL out Of all proportion to the ben
Gifts our country can derive from such
nm arrangement. The American Gov
eminent ie absolutely vital to the sue
cess Of such an enterprise, and fear we
must yield some OF our sovereign rights
II we enter this arrangement in absolute
good faith. Personally I would feel
much less concerned about the future II
our country was attending to its own az
fairs, etoutly maintaining tho Monroe
Doctrine and the balance OF power"
Senator Sherman IN. Repj: at Is
The Hague convention with economic
pressure added. There is no provision
for international police. There Is no
means OF enforcing II. II Is a complete
abandonment Of the Presidents peace
league as proclaimed by him on his de-
parture for France. II an outlaw nation
makes war on a league member the
league will address homily on its un-
ladylike behavior in attacking one OF the
league members. would oppose the
League OF Nations which removed any
mart Of tho soyere,rnty Of the ITnited
states"
Grave Danger in Proposal.
Senator King utah, Dennis THE
American people are never going TO
abandon the Monroe Doctrine. They
never are going to abdicate any OF their
sovereign rights. Even a cursory read
ing of the document reveals many grave
dangers"
Senator Robinson tArk- Dennis The
proposed league Is in the nature OF an
experiment. 1t is natural that existing
nations should approach the subject with
caution. Nevertheless It's purposes are
so far reaching In Importance that surely
no one in sympathy with them will re-
sist the momentum of the influence
now seeking to establish a LeaS,ie Of
Nations. The avoidance in the future
OF wars like that from which hnmari ty
has Just emerged is an end to be desired
by ALL 1t Is hardly to be hoped that a
completely successful plan will be
evolved with the first effort No doubt
the league before It can accomplish all
the purposes desired must undergo some
thing in the nature OF an evolution
Senator RansdeIl Ola. Dennis "The
League OF Nations provided IN thu
charter will proye the Rreatest agAncy