New-York tribune., 1919-03-05

the power to make and declare war
is not reserved wholly and completely
to our government. In my opinion no
league which attempts to givo to any
organization majority of which is
composed Of foreigners the power to
declare war will ever be ratified.
"Thc Senate would ratfy a treaty
which provided for arbitration of ius,
ticiablc questions and which provided
for actual disarmament, but does not
give up the sovereign powers Of the
Republic
I'VE accept the responsibility" said
Senator Sherman, after reading the
Presidents statement, "if the consti-
tuition of the league Of nations is a
result Of the Presidents attendance
at the Paris peace conference; and if
his administration Of the railroads is
result OF his constant attendance
upon Congress then both Paris and
Washington would be better off with
out HIM: He is a superfuous luxury
anyhow"
Epithets Not Arguments
There are at any rate not so many
abusive cpithets in this statement"
said Senator Poindexter, of Washing
Democratic National Committee
luncheon for those attempting to
bring peace to the world, which now
has been delayed three months since
the signing Of the armistice. They
arc attempting also to save the in
dependence and liberty of the United
States, which the President proposes
to surrender to central world gov
eminent.
"Epithcts are not arguments, and
thing much more persuasive and
illuminating will have to be pre-
scnted by the President before the
matter can be intelligently Judged by
the American people.
have the advantage Of being a group
instead of single individuals and com
posed probably majority of the Sen
ate whereas the Constitution requires
two~thlrds to give validity to the
Presidents proposal.
CAS- to the legislation the President
refers to, the Democratic majority in
the Senate, which is in control, is
we'll known to be subject to the
Presidents wishes and must, of
course, be responsible for the result
OF the session of Congress.
Shows Hardness of Bills
he sundry civil appropriation bill,
carrying 1851 III 900, was never even
reported to the Senate for action. The
third deficiency bill, carrying $S42, ,OOO,-
600, including the railroad fund re-
tered to by the President, was not re-
ported to the Senate until late in the
day of March |. The navy bill, ap-
Proprlatlng $S24,7o8,o0O under the
Presidents plan for universal peace
for action in the Senate until March
3, the day before adjournment. The
same was true Of the army bill, an
propriating $I238, ,7S2,00O. OF course.
under these circumstances it would
have been impossible for the Senate to
give intelligent or even decent con
sideration to these vast expenditures
of the peoples moneys, and the Re
publican party rendered great ser
vice to the country in withholding ap-
proval until an effort could be given
Tor consideration and amendment.
As to the Pres sidcnts action in 20
Legislation for II world government
which cannot possibly be ratified by
the Senate. and the consequences
which he says it will have upon tho
government business with neither the
executive nor Legislative branches of
the government present in Wnshng-
ton, he himself, Of course, must be re-
Sponslblc.
Puts Blame on Wilson
"As to the embarrassment of the
government, it was the government it.
self or that pact Of tho government
which under tho constitution is cx-
c'usively authorized to deal with these
matters. which did tho net OF which the
President complains. There seems to
bc quite apprehension what
tho government conelsts Of. In tho
view or 'aomc, tho President himself
has greatly embarrassed the govern
mcnt."