Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-03-06
SENATE MEASURE
OPPOSES LEAGUE
Resolution introduced by Lodge
Proposes DisapprOval of Char
ter and FavOrs Conclusion of
Peace Treaty
CONSIDERATION DENIED
Measure Goes over Under the Rules
senator Lodge Reads Names of ~
Members of the Next senate who
Favor His Resolution

Washington. March Ex-senator Lodge
of Massachusetts. the republican leader
introduced a resolution late tonight pro-
posing that the Senate go on record as
opposing the approval Of the constitu-
ton of the League of Nations as now
draft and favoring the immediate con-
clusion of peace with Germany without
waiting for the working out of the league
plan
Senator Lodge requested unanimous
consent for immediate consideration of
the resolution. but Senator Martin Of
Virginia the democratic leader, and
Senator Swanson, of the same State,
joined in simultaneous objection and the
resolution went over under the rules.
Unable to secure consideration of his
measure, Senator Lodge read the names
of 81 members of the next Senate. which
will consider the peace treaty, who. the
minority leader said, favor its resolu-
ton. On Senator Lodges list were the
names of Senators Page and Dillingham;
of Vermont
There was no further discussion Of the
matter and debate on the $3.50. OOO,0W rail-
road administration revolving fund was
resumed. The move by the republican
reader came as a surprise to many of the
democratic senators, but some few of
them had been advised of it in advance.
The resolution prepared by Senator
Lodge was the crystalzed result of
many conferences late to-day between re-
publicans-a movement initiated It was
reported, by the republican leaders with
the cooperation of Senator Knox, of
Pennsylvania. 1t also was prepared in
lieu of a more lengthy declaration, which
previously had been circulated, demand
ing amendment Of the league constitution
so as to provide specifically for preserva-
ton of the Monroe doctrine and other
fundamental American principles.
AS result of the republican confer
ences, however, the resolution was re-
duced to a declaration of opposition to
the league charter as now framed and in
favor of Fastening the peace treaty
In the Senate to-day, after Senator
Sherman had spoken for an hour and
made sharp attack on the league and
on President Wilson for proposing it,
Senator McCumber made an address of
more than four hours in which he took
issue with the tenor of recent republican
criticisms, While suggesting amendment
of the tentative charter the North
Dakota senator urged that America join
In world peace agreement.
Senator McCumber's address drew
criticism of the league from Senator
Smith of Michigan. republican member
Of the foreign relations committee who
retires tomorrow. The latter expressed
apprehension over farming out our
rights and criticised the proposed league
as "A constitution of internationalism.
A brief address also was made by
Senator Spencer of Missouri, republican,
who urged specific amendment of the
league constitution so as to exclude any
thing that implies REIMBURSEMENT of
American policies, including the Monroe
doctrine.
Democratic leaders criticised the re-
publcans for occupying much time
with discussion of the league while APP
preparation bills were being pressed
Minority spokesman replied that the sub
ject was of paramount importance and
that President Wilson had only recently
presented the league plan and, also, had
requested that debate be deferred until
a few days ago.