Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-02-19
REFUSES TO Dine
WITH PRESIDENT
Senator Borah Declines Invita-
ton to Attend White
House Conference.
DIFFERENCES FUNDAMENTAL
Feels He Should Not Accept Exc
cutive's Condolences as to
League Of Nations.
DIFFERENCES FUNDAMENTAL
tRy Associated Prcsg :


WASIiINGTON. Feb ls-Sonator
Sorai. OF Idaho. has asked to be ox-
.rsed from attending ;hc dinner az the
White House At which Presiden, Will
fon Will discuss with members Of the
Foreign Relations Committees OF Con-
Grcss the constitution Of the proposed
league Of nations.
In a lette. to Secretary Tumuity
Senator Borah said it was the custom
to hold II confidence any information
received at auch Il gathering, and ;hat
he was not willing 20 be bound 10
silence On such an importan: subject
on which he and the President dis
agreed fundarncr:aiiy.
He added that nothing could make
him agree with the constitution OF the
league as /; now stood
IS ONLY MEMBER TO
DECLINE INVITATION
White House officials said no other
member OF tac committees had de-
ciined the rres!dcntB Invitation. and
that Il VAS understood all the others
On. receiving the Idaho Senator'S s
letter today. SECRETARY Tumui:y i'm
president Wilson aboard tho transport
george Washington. OH his wa" aor:c
Senator Boral Is one of a sroup OF
Senators. which includes some Demo
Gratis as veil as Repnoiicana. who op
pose @ H Any sort .! in:ernat!ona lisat tion.
proposed has been regarded as =. fore
gone conclusion.
There have been hints tina; several
Of the Republican members OF the COM
.niitee ;niSn: refuse to attend the
Presidents dinner: to whlci the mem
dealing with foreign affairs were in
vted by wireless to go over the pro
posed posed constitution ar,ielc by article.
Gay. however. that others would to.-
low Mr.. Borai,'s example.
WILL FOLLOW QUICKLY
HIS RETURN TO WASHINGTON
The dinner, has hesn arranged for
neH. "Wednesday evening, February 20
a day o. two after the president lands
senator Borah's letter follows:
h9nor:ns n2s vita an invitation 70
DISCUSS tic league OF nations matter
g Sa sasseFn tS %ss sas oess Tass
are always regarded AS strsctiNes esas
ttdsntiEi upon the parss OF the guests,
otherwise tie Prssidsn, would nave
oPeness open seasss Ee 70 a custom 9 the
the President; and myself on this ques-
ton are fuIdamental ] am sure no
ssSSsssst:SSn sSs o' mine wouid ilnodiit:' in
de1t. and nothing could induce me TO
supper: this league as outlined in this
like Il.
WOULD NOT BE FAIR
TO ACCEPT CONFIDENCE
4 feel. therefore. that /, would not
DC fai. 20 ,he President TO accept his
confidence or receive from him con-
idsn;;ai iSsf;. tntornation concerning. this
subject. could | accept information
which would not feel PERFECTLY free
20 transmit TO my colleagues or use in
public debate. After much reelection.
j beg. therefore to be excused from
attending, the meeting.
In writing this note and in taking
this course | mean no personal dis
respect, 20 or disregard OF the Presi-
dent. simply lind myself in such dis
agree nleat w:;h him and feel so in
tensely concerning the matter that I
canno; do other. than candidly advise
him OF the fact" -,
Several Republican members OF the
Senate committee stated privately 60
ds day that they would not regard them
they would accept the Presidents in
Vitntlon With reluctance. Senator Fall
OF New Mexico, is the only minority
member who is not in Washington