American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1919-02-21
RORAH DECLINES
WILSON'S DINNER
Idaho Senator Unwilling TO Pledge
silence ON League Disclosures
Every Other Member OF Foreign
Committees to Accept Invitation.

silence ON League Disclosures
Every Other Member Of Foreign
Committees to Accept Invitation.
Opposition in the senate TO the con-
stitution of the league of nations be-
gan Tuesday to take definite form
| Senator Borah of Idaho. Republican
member of the foreign relations COM
! mittee, declined to accept President
| wilson's invitation to attend the
| White House dinner February rs and
| Senator Poindexter of Washington,
Republican. announced he would
| speak in the senate Wednesday IN
criticism of the league plan.
An members of the senate foreign
relations committee except Mr. 30
rah, plan to attend the dinner to dis
cuss with the president the consu-
tuition and il was expected they would
abide by the presidents request TO
refrein from open discussion until
after that time. General debate in
the senate, however, may follow Sen
ator Poindexter's address.
open criticism of the league con-
stithtion was voiced Tuesday in the
senate by Senator Vardaman of MIS-
/ sissippi Democrat He said the con-
stitution was unconstitutional and
; also criticized President Wilson for
> requesting that discussion in congress
| be postponed.
J Senator Borah plans to speak on
e Thursday in opposition to the league
e In his letter to Secretary Tumuity
= declining the presidents Invitation
Mr.. Borah said it was the custom to
| mold in confidence any information
| received at conferences at the White
| House and he was not willing to be
] bound to silence on such an impor-
| tant subject, on which he and the
| president disagreed fundamentally
! Aner receiving the letter, whics
| Senator Borah made public TUESDAY
| Secretary Tumulty Immediately trans
4 mitted it by radio to President WI
1 son on the steamer George Washing
i ton. due to reach Boston Tuesday
Il next.
II senator Borah is one of group O
II senators, which includes some Demo
i Gratis as well as Repubiis 'u7, la
Il oppose any sort Of internationaliza
Il ton and whose opposition to IN
league as proposed has been regarde
as a foregone conclusion.
There have been hints that severa
of the, Republican members of tn
cornmjttee might refuse to attend ID
lhrhnideni's dinner TO which the men
III har the committees of both house
healing with foreign affairs were II
lSfteds by wireless 10 go over the PR
VI posed constitution, article by articl
There we're no surface indication
Tuesday, however, that others wou
- follow Mr. BoraRs example.
on Senator Borah's letter follows:
OF Il greatly appreciate your note no.
He oring me with an invitation TO me
'ge the president February rs to discu
in the league of nations-a matter
ere most vital concern to the whole cou
'ed try. Meetings at the White Hou'
lis according to a long-standing custo
ne. are always regarded as strictly co
out fidential upon the part of the CUES
ige This meeting, ! take 1t, would oe
An garded as especially confldentl
,an otherwise the president would ma
ap, spoken, according to his CUSTOM
ast the open senate. The differences
tween the president and myseu
his this matter are fundamental
de- sure no suggestion OF mine Wo'
oss modify in the slightest the view
test the president and nothing could
all duce me TO support this league
we outlined in this proposed consul
oIr ton or anything like II.
"I feel, therefore, that It would
5. be fair to the president to accept
!. f. confidence or receive from MN c
} ridential information concerning
- subject Neither In my view OF
ttee subject could /. accept informal
ON which | would not feel perfectly
air TO transmit to my colleagues OF
= of in public debate. After much ref
nent tion. beg therefore to be excu
fiom attending the meeting
sued "In writing this note and IN taf
It OF This course, | mean no personai
ac- respect to or disregard OF the pr
dent. | simply find myself IN
am disagreement with him and reel
april intensely concerning the matter
'eas- cannot do other than candidly
e H. wise him of that fact" Senator
aign. rah said he planned to address
'ities senate Thursday.
ined. Several Republican members of
IS, 1T senate stated privately Tuesday
the they would not regard themse
ribu- bound by condolences and that
essi- would accept the presidents IN
arac- ,ion with reluctance. Senator Fa
past New Mexico Is the only min'
Loan member who is not in Washingtt
dyed "