The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-21
INJECT RELIGIOUS
ISSUE INTO DEBATE
On NATIONS LEAGUE
Initiative Taken by Sher-
man, of Illinois, Leads
to Bitter Discussion.
ACTION DEPLORED
Demonstrates Destltu-
ton of Opponents for
Arguments Against it,
Ayers Ashurst.

Ayers AShurSt.
Washington, June 20--The religious
t~~ue was in iected into the debate on
the league of nations in the sena'e
by Senator Sherman. OF Illinois, To-Day
II led TO a bitter discussion. In WHICH
the Illinois senator was Sharply an
swered hy Senator Ashurst, OF Arr
soma
Senator Sherman spoke on the &c
clesiastical power In the league oi
nations." He asserted that by reason
OF the fact that the Catholic nations
outnumber those of the protestan.
faith. the influence of the Vatican
will dominate and control the league
He said that OF the original thirty
two members Of the league, twenty
eight are Christian nations and that
other four are of other faiths. Oi
the twenty-eight Christian nations, ne
said, sevenkeen ara GatEoiic anu
eleven are Protestant.
Including the other nations which
are invited to join the league, Sena-
tor Sherman said that twenty-four OF
the forty votes of the Christian
nations are spiritually dom mated by
the Vatican" Although there has
been separation of church and state.
he said. the divorce of the spiritual
affairs of mankind from the tenn
poral has never met with the approba-
ton Of papal authority.
TT must be admitted thai the In
duencos and control of papai authority
are much stronger and more absolute
over those who accept the head OF
that organization as infaflible and
sacred than among the great protcs-
tan, divisions of the Christian
church
EXERCISE OF POWER
The senator continued: in the
event OF a definite exercise of power
~ tho Vatican over the members Of
~ church how Tar y would sway
their conduct. II Il were sought 70 re-
sumo the exercise of temporal author
ity as part OF the spiritual jurisdic-
ton lie uncertain"
Senator Sherman added that the
temptation to enforce the belief in
temporal power might break down
every barrier built UP by centuries
OF struggle and sacrifice" He de-
clared that for this reason the cove
nAnt OF the league bears within it's
folds a reactionary power more fatal
and insidious than a Prussian helmet.
more dangerous than future war"
luC StHAtoT dPoiOkiEtd tt A4It SNfl~
ate for bringing the religious ques-
ton into the debate. He declared he
was a member of no church and had
no personal feeling in the matter. He
asserted, however, that he felt he
would be derelict in his duty II he
did not present his convictions on this
phase OF the subject
II have somewhat. reluctantly come
! 70 the conclusion. against the advice
OF many personal friends. to say what
! have decided Ii TO be my duty to say
on this question" Senator Sherman
said. II have no ambitions for
further political preferment. l ask
no return and care only to be a citi-
zen"
The visit OF President Wilson to the
Pope and the statement issued from
the Vatican praising the league OF ma
tions after the presidents visit was
referred to by the Senator as having
been for preconceived purpose. :"
The Fiume controversy in the Sena-
tors opinion. showed that the vau-
can was not in sympathy with the
civil government OF Italy and tended
Ito connect President Wilson with IN
fuence unfriendly to the temporal
power of Italy and inimical to the flu
ture welfare OF the United States''
REPLIES TO SHERMAN.
Senator Ashurst. rising to reply to
Senator Sherman. declared that he
was ashamed OF the Illinois Senator
and regretted that at the end OF his
term he would 60 out OF the Senate
With the memory OF such speech
hanging over him. He added.
II am tired OF these appeals to
RELIGIOUS prejudice. They do not he
come statesmen OF the time In which
We are living. / urge upon Senators
In discussing this great question to let
patriotism speak and not prejudice OF
anykind. least OF all religious preju-
dice. 1t Is not In keeping with the
high plane Of argument that should
be made on this great question"
IT was stated by Ashurst that the
bringing in the religious issue demon
strated the "destitution of the league
opponents for arguments against IL. :"
Senator Thomas of Colorado. inter-
iected the remark that the injection
Of the religious issue would be very
unfortunate for America and the
world" He said that all races and
sects had acted as unit In support
Of the war.
Senator Ashurst continued by say
ing that returning soldiers told him
that a league for peace Is necessary.
This brought an interruption for Sena-
tor Reed, OF Missouri. who asked: !.
How many OF them told you they
ere willing to go back to police Eu-
roper"
Half a dozen told me they would
like to 60 back replied Senator
Ashurst, and Senator Reed retorted:
Thus does the league of nations
bear it's perfect fruit. thus we see the
sweet flower in full blossom"
Senator Ashurst replied by assert
ing that Washington. Lafayette, Ro-
chambeau and Kosciuske did not
firht for themselves, but to make ma
lions free He added that the talk Of
ssspolicing Europe" betokened mar
yoW and selfish policy.
sHut It il one thing for man to
svoluntoer his services and hin own
2Yf}Sf ~ these men did, Senator Reed
n ~ "a make a. engagement btndine
\ lae md ~ pei sFity ~ AGAt -