Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-06-18
Senator Shows Perils to
Nation in Linking Peace
Treaty and League.
PEOPLE ALONE MUST
DECIDE DESTINY
Tactics Of President Wilson in HIS
Efforts to Force Plan Upon Nation
Without pelibsration Severely Crit
icixed-pefends Resolution as Not
Calling For Expression For or
Against League.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., June 1s.-ln an
impressive plea for the separation oil
the league Of nations covenant from
the peace treaty. in order to give the
American people opportunity for ma
ture deliberation on one OF the most
momentous steps they ever have been
called upon to take, Senator Knox OF
PENNSYLVANIA opened the fight in the
senate on the tactics Of President VIII
son to force immediate acceptance Oh
his entire peace plan.
While reiterating his belief that the
league of nations covenant wouid
breed war and would be destructive q.
the Monroe doctrine. national contr2l
of domestic questions, and the tradi-
tional policies which have made Amer
lea great. the senator directed his arr
sument mainly to the wisdom or per-
mitting the people to pass upon the
merits of the covenant alone instead OF
being compelled to accept II as a par.
of the treaty under pain otherwise OF
continuing at war with Germany.
Senate and Galleries Filled.
It was before nearly the entire MEM
bership of the senate, giving the clos
est attention to his argument. and be-
fore crow ded galleries. that the former
secretary of state and attorney gem
eral spoke in support OF his resolution
proposing reservation OF action on the
league covenant. There was prolonged
applause in the galleries when Senator
Knox closed:
I'VE saved the liberties of Europe,
and in order to insure them for the
future We have acquiesced Incur as
sociates absorbing the gigantic SPOTS
Of the common victory.
Perhaps we may be willing to guar
antee their perpetual possession OF
those spoils, as is proposed In article
10 Of the covenant. Perhaps we may
he willing to surrender our liberties TO
foreign dominion. But let us think
1t over and know the full import OF
our, act.
4. Only An Appeal For Light.
"This resolution asks no more than
,o request the peace conference. while
the negotiations are still open and suo-
iect tn change by single line, TO con-
cede our right to consider what we are
asked to do without delaying.
J what senator can JUSTIFY mega
tive vote? Beware Of the possipie
consenuences of haste. God foroio
that .the war that was to end all war
shall conclude with a peace that may
end all peace. ., who
set out to filibuster against his reso.u'
tion. senator Knox demanded the rea
son FOR ..undue haste" in ratifying the
covenant. declared that "if this coven-
ont ,s good thing. surely It's merry
,y,l, he the better appreciated aftel
careful study, and warned them that a
denial of a hearing would conflrm the
already prevalent suspicion that our
allies are seeking to foist the league
plan upon us against our Will.
Knox Points Peril to Y. S.
"One point I must make at the out
set" Senator Knox said, for 1t It's VIA
and fundamental. not only to all that
shall say, but likewise to all that any
oiher nator has snid or shall say dur
ing this debate:
.The resolution before us does not
call for vote for or against the league
of nations; 1t does not call for even an
expression Of an opinion, either FOR OF
against-the league On these points
this resolution is wholly colorless.
"rhis resolution asks merely ano
solely that the treaty embodying the
league shall be In words so framed
that the senate may advise and con-
sent to that part of 1t which shall
bring us peace, and that 1t may re-
serve for further consideration that
part OF it by which it is proposed te
make US part OF projected league
Of nations; and this Is done In orde,
that the sovereign people Of the United
in the treaty making power of the
United States, may have time to con
slider the league In all its aspects. and
that the sobereign people of the Unltet
States, whose agents ,and representa-
tfyes the executive and ourselves are
shall have opportunity maturely to do
liberate upon 1t before by our votes
we fasten 1t upon them.
=. 8. Destiny con.=o....ssda. -. ~
"For, whether good or bad. this
league. once entered upon and per-
retuated. will. under tho compellinl
force or the combined armies ane
navles OF the whole world. control oul
destiny from now down thru the full
remaining perid OF recorded time.
ut cannot be- this mere request by
tho senate for an opportunity FULLY tc
stand and consider this trenlendou.
question lis unreasonable, nor can II
he that request that the sovereign
people Of the United States shall hav,
full ind equal opportunity. calmly, L
deliberate and decide upon this mea-
sure, is unreasonable
This Ii the whole question. N You
may take 1t, senator's. and mako the
most Of II. % ,-
RsSsts to partnsrship charas.
!. 's.ls..sOne word moro before I begin my