Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-06-11
.FL0UTS IDEA
LEAGUE WILL
U. S.
Senator Walsh Explodes
Theory Covenant Weak
ems the Constitution.

Wasingtonton, June 11.-Assert-
| ing that opponents of the league
of nations have trumped up many
unSupportable objections to play
upon popular sensitiveness, Sena-
| tor Walsh, Democrat, of Montana
defended the league covenant In
| the senate today against charges
that it subverts the. American con-
stitution.
Answering Senators Lodge, Re
publican, of Massachusetts,, Knox
Republican, of Pennsylvania, and
others who urged constitutional OBJ
jections, the Montana senator de-
clared their arguments were
founded on theories long since dis
proved
"Super-State" Mere Talk.
Charges that the league would
be a "super-state" he declared to
be mere defamation" since the
organization in most of the prov
inces complained of could only
advise" or recommend" The
celebrated article 10, he said, GER
tainly would bind the United States
to make war in certain instances,
but added that the same obliga-
tions had been assumed by various
treaties made by this government
in the past.
1.-THE people," said Mr.. Walsh,
"have an intense pride in and a
just reverence for their national
constitution. If a well-founded ap-
prehension that any policy runs
c6Tnrer % me commands of the
organic law can be excited, it
serves often as well as complete
demonstration to accomplish its
rejection.
Refers To Knox Address.
In an address delivered in the
senate on Dec. 1S, last, by the
junior senator from Pennsylvania
(Senator Knox. a question was
raised by the following inquiry and
comment.
"'How could the president, by
negotiating a treaty and the SEN
ate by consenting to its ratification,
bind this country to declare war?
A declaration of war is, under the
constitution, a prerogative of the
congress-
"The covenant does undoubtedly,
should the treaty be signed, obli-
gate this country to make war. But
we have not hesitated heretofore
to assume a like obligation. We
entered into a treaty with the re-
public of Panama, the first article
of which is as follows:
"'Article l. The United States
guarantees and will maintain the
independence of the Republic of
Panama
League Foes Backed Treaty.
mo one can doubt the signifi-
cance of that understanding. We
go to war with any country that
attempts to reduce the republic
through which concessions, we
built the Panama canal. That
treaty was entered into in the year
1904, the late Theodore Roosevelt
being president of the United
States and Philander c. Knox, now
a senator from the state of Penn
sylvania, his attorney general and
official legal adviser.
Among those voting to ratify it
were the following, still members
of the senate: Senators Lodge,
Nelson, Penrose, Sim
mons, Smoot and Warren.
What is the Monroe doctrine
but a voluntary obligation assumed
by the United States to respect
and preserve as against external
external in this case
trans-oceanic) the re-
-
ica?"
Old Theory Exploded.
The theory that the treaty max
ing power does not extend to any
subject with reference to which
power is vested in congress" con-
tinued the senator, eff it ever was
seriously maintained, was long ago
Referring to assertions that the
league would be a "super-govern- |
ment' the senator quoted from the !
covenant at length and continued: !
"It is idle to assert that an or
ganization thus equipped is a gov
ernment at all. 1t has no army |
and no treasury and no means of |
sec uring either. Though 1t may |
render decisions, it can not make |
laws, neither can it levy taxes"
Sees Peace Work UndOne.
Senator Walsh said no one con-
tended the league covenant was |
perfect. But it was a mere sub
terfuge," he declared, to talk of |
it. What the senate |
may do" he continued, "is to pro-
pose amendment, which in sub !
stance, is a rejection of the treaty |
with a condition. The whole sub
ject is thus opened up and nego-
Liation must be resumed. Doubt |
less other nations will propose
The stupendous la
bors of the past six months are all !
peace is as far away as it /
was last December.