Evening star., 1919-02-23

una Two TepuDllCS--aHieflSa oil"
France. Interests of the European
countries are closely knit, he contin-
ded, and may even be antagonistic''
to the United States, while Japan, he
declared. is bound by secret treaty TO
England and at the same time
in a state of irritation against us so
acute as to cause grave fears of war"
'Tt thus appears" Mr.. Reed con-
tinued, that in any controversy there
viii be votes of four aliens against the
single vote of the United States. It
IS from the first at disadvantage
THE provision for admission of Brit
ish colonies, said the senator, ''is most
significant and indicates Great Britain
is on the job
Vital American Questions.
Among the vital American questions
(which, Mr. Reed asserted. would be
absolutely controlled by the eight-to-
one council are: The Monroe doctrine,
border disputes, immigration, slaugh-
ter of American citizens on the border
destruction of American ships. seizure
and search of American vessels, i'm
prfsonment OF American seamen. de-
fsnse of the Panama canal and seizure
of the canal.
sIt is highly conceivable" he added,
~that such tribunal might conclude
that a simple tariff levied upon i'm
portation might become cause for
war and assume the right to command
a state not to levy the tariff duty"
American labor vas warned by
Senator Reed against article 20 of the
league, obligating the signatory ma
tions to establish permanent labor
bureau.
Il warn them" he said. that it is
over the labor of other countries -
and this agreement will embrace la
Dor of this country. l warn American
labor to beware lest they shall be
drawn from their place of advantage
tSfthe level of other lands"
Tree public discussion of the league
was urged by Senator Reed, who said
that mo paddock should be put on the
tongue of any man in discussing
this most remarkable and obscure in
strument."
Senator Reed occasionally digress-
ed from his prepared remarks, but
was not interrupted, and delivered his
address with characteristic emphasis
In speech and gesture. He said the
league constitution would create an
International smelling committee"
designed to learn what the various
nations were doing.
Referring to a provision which, he
said, would outlaw nations that re-
fused to join the league, the senator
said he wanted everybody in this
country to read it.
Even Taft ought to be made to
read it every day to his audiences"
he declared
THUS do we set ourselves up" he
continued. ''as masters of the world.
Well thrust rselyes into every dis
pute and make ourselves masters over
every nation that does not come into
thfs league"
II. Sherman Attacks Taft Position
ormer& President Tafts support of
THE league was criticised by Senator
Sherman of Illinois. republican. i'm a
ffyfxxsep the Seuate.sfi floor before Sen
xt6FassReed spoke Senator Sherman
presented letter from constituent
In which Mr.. Taft's position was as
sailed and his political record ridi-
culed, to the manifest amusement of
senators and the oyerfiowing galleries.
Senator Ashurst of Arizona, demo-
crat. sharply criticised the reading of
the letter. declaring it made Mr. Taft
an object of ridicule"
!: This. is no way to conduct debate
on this league of nations" said Mr.
Ashurst although I never agreed
with Mr.. Taft politically, for four
years he was President of the United
States-an honest, patriotic gentleman.
1 believe that when the years go by
and we see this league in action the
senator from Illinois will be as
ashamed of his conduct as 1 am.
MI Taft is entitled to fair treat
United States"
Explains His Reasons.
would not have presented his cons,i-
tuents letter but for Mr.. Tafts recent
statements that he would not trust
senators overnight" opposing the
league.
Senator McKenar of Tennessee
democrat interrupted to declare that
MI Taft had repudiated the state
ment referred to, and Senator Thomas
read MI. Tafts statement of denial
published yesterday.
In reply Senator Sherman said he
1ndorsed his constituents criticism of
Mr.. Taft, adding:
regard the conduct Of the ex-
President as not only undtgnified. but
as grossly partisan and unfair"
senator Sherman said that Presid ent
wilson had at one time asked a
pension as a retired college president
OF the same Institution which, he said.
~ now paying the expenses of Presi-
dent Tafts tour in support of the
league of nations. At this point
senator Pittman called for regular
order and shut out further remarks
by the Illinois senator.
Suggestion that international oues-
tions affecting nations of the western
hemisphere should be left to the Pan
American Union for settlement, in
stead OF the proposed league OF ma
tbus. was made by John Barrett
director general of the union. sneak
ing here today at a luncheon given
by civic organizations. He said the
union was a working limited official
league of the American nations that
has stood steaafastly for the solidarity
OF the American republics and the
maintenance OF the Monroe doctrine.
Mr.. Barrett declared that a pan
American league need not interfere
with the workings of a world league.
but might bear the same relation TO
the latter as state Legislature to
the Congress