New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-20
Fight Begun OH
World League
BY Poindexter

Continued from page l.
at this juncture the great Premier of
France, the man behind whom France
fought her desperate fight for victory
Thank God, the assassins bullet did
not complete its dastardly purpose,
Clemenceau still lives,
THIS attack on the life Of the French
Premier is but the symptom of dis
ease which IS spreading through the
world. and which by reason of this de
lay III framing peace is being rri-
tated and exaggerated to a point where
1t may become chronic"
Senator PoindeXter then proceeded
with his prepared speech. He said, in
part:
at is perhaps not an exaggeraton to
say that the matters contained in the
proposed constitution Of the league of
nations arc the most momentous in
their effect upon the government and
the people of the United States since
the Civil War In adopting or rejecting
TINS constitution, and thereby becoming
or not becoming q member of the
league established under it, the govern
ment and people of the United States
VIII determine whether they are to re-
main great sovereign and indie
pendent nation with the most complete
government ever devised by man
and the highest functions of citizenship
ever enjoyed, or whether they are to
merge their destinies with those Of the
other nations of the world, share their
burdens, participate in their quarrcls
and become party to all Of the in
ternatlonal complications arising from
DIVERSITY OF race and language. and
from conflict of interest of the different
peoples of Asia. Africa and Europe.
Are we to surrender to an interna-
tional council and body Of delegates
those high functions of sovereignty
which heretofore we have exercised for
ourselves, and vest in the jurisdiction
OF an international league the deter
mination of our armaments, the de-
cision of peace or of war. even in the
most vital questions affecting our ma
tional honor, integrity or material well
fare?
Entangling Alliance Looms
"Thc question is now presented
whether we are to adhere to the policy
of Washington and Monroe Of cult
waiting friendly relations with all ma
lions and making entangling alliances
into treaty and adopt a constitution
of league which binds us to a great
number. and possibly to all, of tho
other nations Of the world in the most
entangling alliance that could be con
ceived.
"The question is whether or not this
high sovereign jurisdiction of the
political heirs Of Jefferson, Washing-
ton and Lincoln is to be in part sur
i Il H.,
of strangers and aliens.
Tho basis Of successful republic
i an intelligent public opinion. Put
there can be no intelligent public
opinion without free communication of
news, full Information and unhampered
discussion, both in the press, in the
public councils, and among the people
themselves. Surely if these principles
apply to the ordinary affairs Of gov
eminent they apply to an extraordi-
nary programme by which it is planned
TO establish q new order in the world
The constitution of the league of ma
tons was framed in secret. Until it
was published the world whose future
was to be controlled by its provisions,
was purposely kept in entire ignorance
OF any of its provisions
Too Neighty for Silence
was published to the world request
from the President that its provisions
be not debated in Congress until he
should nave an opportunity in q private
meeting with the mem bers Of the For
elgn Relations Committee of Congress
TO further speak in its advocacy. Be
fore the busy world has had an OPP
portunity to thoroughly read and di-
gest ITS provisions we are requested
rot to make it the subject Of debate in
Congress until the President can again
speak in It's behalf
while the advocates of this super
government Of the world arc making
arguments in its favor VIC are to re
main silent. II is matter, however. of
too much Importance for US to remain
altogether silent. If the proposals con
tanned in the constitution Of the league
arc meritorious they will be strength
ened by debate. If they are unwise or
III advised that fact may be disclosed
BY free discussion.
at is to be determined in the discus
sion of the league of nations what the
language of its constitution imports
and whether or not it VIII promote in
fact the welfare of mankind. There are
many who contend that it will pro
woke and precipitate war and entail un-
told misery upon mankind by the con-
ficts, jealousies and surrenders which
it would bring about 1t is, we are told,
a day of open covenants, openly ar
rived at
"If covenants are to be openly ar
rived at this covenant. of all others,
should be exposed to the light and to
discussion in the open.
THE question arises whether, when
we have once committed ourselves to
its power, we can ever withdraw 1t
no doubt will be contended by its adj
vocates that we can renouncc our al
legiance and abrogate our agreement at
any time. II was so contcnded by many
OF the states which joined the Federal
Union, and some Of them ratified it
upon that express condition. This, how