Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-06-11
Walsh Tries to Show League
Opponents in Incon-
sistent Light.
ADMITS COVENANT
is COUNTER TO LAW
Defends Violation Of Constitution, Has
Presidents in Oanam and Other
Treaties and in Monroe Doctrine
Doctrine Held to Be Equivalent to
Declaration Of War Upon Those Who
Attack America.


opponents of the league of nations
have trumped up many unsupportable
objections to play upon popular sem
sitiveness, Senator Walsh, democrat,
of Montana, defended the league coven-
ant in the senate today against charges
that it submerged the American con-
stitution. ..
Answering Senator Lodge. repub-
lican, Of Pennsylvania. and others who
urged constitutional objections, the
Montana senator declared their argu-
ments founded on theories long since
disproved.
Charges that the league would be
'superstnte" he declared &c he mere
defamation since the organism in
most of the provisions complained OF
could only advise" or recommend"
The celebrated article X, he continued,
certainly would bind the United States
to make war in certain instances, but
added that the same obligation had
been assumed by various treaties made
by this government in the past.
The people" said Mr.. Walsh. have
an intense pride in and a just rever-
ence for their national constitution. Ii
a well founded apprehension that any
policy runs counter to the commands
of the organic law can be excited, it
serves often as well as complete
demonstration to accomplish its rejec-
ton.
Admits Constitution Is Violated.
t"ln an address delivered In the SEN
ate Oh Dec. IL, last. by the junior sena-
tor from Pennsylvania (Senator Knox.
a question was raised by the following
inquiry and comment:
How could the president, by neso-
tiatipG a treaty, and the senate by
consenting to it's ratification, bind this
country to declare war? A declaration
Of war is. under the constitution. a pre-
rogative of the congress.
The ~covelent dOes undoubtedly.
should the treaty be signed. oblignte
this country to make war. But we have
not hesitated heretofore to assume a
like obligation. We entered into a.
treaty with the republic Of Panama, the
first article Of which Is as follows:
'Article 1.-The United States guar
antees and will maintain the indie
pendence. Of the republic of Panama
NO one can doubt the Significance
OF that undertaking. We go to war
with any country that attempts to re-
duce the republic thru whose conces-
sion we built the Panama canal. That
treaty was entered into in the year
1914, the late Theodore Roosevelt be-
ing president of the United States and
Philander G. Knox. now senator from
the state OF Pennsylvania. his attorney
general and official legal advisor.
& Among those voting to ratify il
were the following, still members of
the senate: Senators Lodge, McCum-
Der. Nelson, Penrose, Simmons. Smoot
and Warren.
Monroe Doctrine Spells War.
What is the Monroe doctrine but
voluntary obligation assumed. by the
United States to; respect and preserve
as against external aggression lex
ternal In this case signifying trans
oceanic) the republics Of South and
Central America?
The theory that the treaty making
power does not extend to any subject
with reference to which power is rest
ed In congress-" continued the senator,
If 1t ever was seriously maintained,
was long ago exploded" . -. t
Referring to assertions that the lea
que would be a super government"
the senator quoted from the covenant
at length and continued: .a,
1T is idle to, assert that an organiza-
ton thus equipped Is a government at
all. It has no army and no treasury,
and no means Of securing either. Tho
it may render decisions, it can not
make laws, neither can it levy taxes"
4 Senator Walsh said no one contended
the league covenant was perfect, but it
was a mere subterfuge." he declared,
to talk OF amending it.s"What the SEN
ate may:do" he continued. lis to pro-
pose amendments, which in substance
Is a iretection OF the treaty with the
condition. The whole subject is thus
opened up and negotiations must be
resumed. Doubtless other nations will
propose amendments, the stupendous
la ahnra Of the past six months are ali
undone and peace Is as far away as
it was last December"
~ y E & "a. ~ . +,