Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-24
ALL BANKERS DON'T
AGREE on LEAGUE

A poil in the banking district at
league of nations revealed a majority
of opinions against the league as now
proposed.
Out Of a total of fifty votes, fifteen
against it and fifteen were either too in
dfferent tn eren6ss or not & well enough Informed
Henry g. Brengle. president of the
Philadelphia Trust Company, said: "I
believe we are all agreed rnat the prin-
ciple of league of nations is a good
thing. but the draft Of the league which
has been presented to the Peace Confer
ence does, l believe. take away \from
the power and sovereignty Of the United
States.
we cannot give up any of the p, snci.
enough to fight for in 1875. 1t is this
fear which has prompted men like Lodge.
Knox, Harvey. our own Mr.. Pepper and
others to oppose it in its present form.
''If universal confidence and trust ex-
listed among men and nations today the
league might be all right as it is. But
we haven't reached that stage in human
development just yet. 1t is sad, but It
is true. You have heard the story about
the lion who agreed with other animals
were out all Of his former friends
jumped on him and devoured him"
F. NJ. Hardt. the vice president of the
same organization, said: "If you mean
do / favor league of nations I would
answer yes. but If you ask me whether
I favor the league of nations then
must say that the answer to that would
lead into most involved discussion. I
do not desire to see the present covenant
embodied in the peace treaty. but, on
the other hand. if it is not included in
the treaty the league may never be
formed at all.
II believe that peace should have
been concluded months, ago and by this
time We might have had a more salts
factory draft Of an international agree
ment to prevent wars
Some Kind Of League Needed
Duncan Whelen. of Townsend: whelen
& Co.. bankers. sos Chestnut street. said
II really hardly feel capable of discuss
ing the league 1t takes an international
to be that. I have no doubt that the
league is a desirable thing. If We do not
have some kind of league 1 fear the
war may have been fought in vain, for
what would there be to prevent Ger
many's obtaining complete power over
Russia, with all the dangerous pos
sibilities for the future peace of the
world that occurrence might bring
about.
"I feel that the covenant should be
amended. The President has failed to
give US sufficient information concerning
its working details TO enable us to form
really worthwhile opinion"
Levi L. Rue, president of the Philadel-
pha National Bank. said: II can't ex-
press any opinion about it. Nobody can
without the most careful and complete
study. A poll of public opinion in the
manner now being conducted doesn't
mean anything, anyhow"
William A. Law, president of the First
National Bank, said: 1T is too big a
it."
n. W. Corson, cashier OF the Corn Ex-
change National Bank, said: II don't
want to express any opin on about it."
George X. Reilly, of Reilly Brock &
Co., bankers, 306 Chestnut street, said
he was sorry, but that he could not dis
cuss the matter.
The chief ground of opposition to the
league in the poll on the street was that
it would take away American rights.
Among characteristic comments were:
1--WE need little more Roosevelt in it,;
"I wish we had Roosevelt in the White
House today; THANK God we have
some Senators who will protect the coun-
try; "The man who doesn't consult
the people, who, are the ones to make
peace. hasn't the right to go'over there
and boss things"
Some comments of those favoring the
league were: II believe we should have
peace first, but the whole matter should
be given careful consideration; "yes,
I'm for it., there's too much nonsense
about 1t going on in the Senate; 'I
favor 1t If it means eternal peace, but
I don't know whether it does or not"