Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-02-20
WORLD LEAGUES
CONSTITUTION IS
PARTISAN TARGET.
Senator E'o;ad.xtcr and Con-
gressman Fcss Make
Vigorous Attacks.
DECLARE IT DERIVES
NATION OF SOVEREIGNTY
Republican Speakers Predict All
Manner Of Evil From So
ciety Of Naticrs.
TO RESUME CRITICISMS TO-DAY
Scnators Borah and Cunlmins Are
Scheduled to Spca;. on Sub
lcct in Upper House.
TO RESUME CRITICISMS TO-DAY
my q gsociatea rrcas.l

iI:y hDsociatoc Prc#s.i
WASlllHGToN, Feb. io.--Tisorous
criticism OF :ic proposed consti,u-
lion ot tho league Of nations was
voiced today IN both housea q, Goa
Srcss.
Speaking for t,irco hours before
crowded galleries, Senator Po.ndeA,cr
or Washing tor. Republican, prcc.al-
iated 4 discussion in the senate. which
embraced other subjects. and coz
sumcd practically the entire session.
However, there "as no formal reply 10
the Washington Senator from the Dem.
ocrat'c side.
Discussion In The House was unez-
pected, and was not general. Just az
iiiRht sess!on, Representative F'cSs. Of
Ohio, chairman %! the Republican Con-
.reYsiona Compaign Committee. del!y-
cred carefully prepared address. In
which nc too,I up the constitution Sec
zion by section, and denounced the
whole as atrid.!nr tho soYcro:Enty OF
thc United States, and containing wi
ciour possibilities
GENERAL. DISCUSSION
FOLLOW POTSDENTEF's SPEECH
Whom Mr. Fcsa concluded there was
but dur.u. senator Poindcxtcr'S ad-
drccs, senator Hitchcock. ot Nebraska,
Eepuhlican Lesdsr Lodge and senators
Knox, .; Fcnns%lvania. and BTandcGec,
Of Conncciicu,. AL members OF the
Forei:n seia,ionn Commits briefly
uass seaa,er r Re Reed. st Missouri. Demo
c.at sroke IN criticism or The pro;
delay in demob.liz!nE American troops.
senator shas.oi;i. of Coloradp' Dsmo-
mont after MT i.csds as;sei.. spoke
.sr dce!ar,nE q would eiop nine !,
'eRas Rssumn,,dn o.. enesTe ot ;,at wsF t ;he ea=e
tomorrow in the senate ~ in prospect
Senator Borah Is ready 70 apehk: ser
also is preparing an address. and SEN
stor Reed gave notice he would dis
cuss the league on Saturday. Senator
Hitchcock aiso is planning an early
reply to the critics OF the league
LODGE SAYS MhNDATOnIIS
WOULD HE COMPULSORY
In his nrst public comment on the
League charter. Senator Lodge do
ciared lie convinced the provisions
for ma nda,ories WOULD be eoupulsor.
upon siXnatory nations.
pisputins. Senator Foinde1:er,
any attempt had been made 10 -estric;
congressional! power, Senator Hitch
cock cited the Canadian boundary
naval forccs in boundary waters. as
precedent OF direct restriction" O.
congressional powers over armament.
senator Knox declared the precedent
applied only TO boundary matters,
while Senator Brandcsea said the
Lreaty vaiida,ins the league could not
case OF other treaties.
In Prcfacing his address. Senator
PoindextcT referred 10 an Associated
Press dispatch from Paris. stating that
the peace delegates were anxious TO
take up the peace treaty and end the
worlds war status. Pointing out tina:
ihe mrs; armi.t!cc was signed three
nonths sSo, Senator Poindc1ter de-
p!orefl the delay in concluding a peace
treaty.
PRAISES ATTITUDE SHOWN
BY .TJGEN OF FRANCE"
The Senator referred to the attempt
upon Premier Clemenceau's life at
Paris, and praised the French states
man, declaring that tho world could
III afford TO lose his services"
assassination is the weapon of the
lnternationale," he said. "of those who
are taking up The cause OF interna-
tional revolution
Tho Washington member said there
are two divisions Of PUBLIC or!nion OF
those who believe the world should be
restorted as speedily as possible TO
peace basis, and OF those who th!nk
plans for permanent, future peace
he said, believed that mot only should
we ignore and neglect the duty OF max
ing present peace. but also that We
must cast aside as refuse the principles
of American liberty.
DEMOCRATS TAKE NOTES
As PoINDEXTER sPEAks
While Senator Poinde1ter spoke
Chairman Hitchcock. of the Foreign
Relations Committee. and Senator
Isws, of Illinois, Democratic whip,
took many notes.
In the first prepared address on the
league OF nations delivered in the SEN
ate since tho constitution OF the pro-
posed league was made public, Sena-
tor PoindeXter. OF Washington. Repub-
lican. today declared entrance Of tho
United States into the league would
mean surrender of American rights.
dony1cnt OF tho Monroe Doctrine and
violation of the Constitution. Tho
constitution OF the league. he asserted.
Vas conflicting, Indefinite and uncer-
tain, and the machinery which IL pro-
poses 10 set up similar to the Sove.
government OF Russia"
NO such colossal burden or en-
,angling alliance was ever before con-
ceiyed In the world" the Senator said.
"lnstead OF being an instrument Of
peace II is the fertile seed OF war--the
dragon's tcnth from which. when sowu,
armed soldier: Will spring"
WILL sTt;AS DlSAPPEARANCE
,OF FREEDOM. HE EECLAItES
Through participation in the draft
ns OF the lea sue,s constitution, Sena.
.we are now facing an abyss. IF tho
senate should ratify the proposed con-
stitution and sanction the entrance of
tho United States into league OF ma
lions without submission OF the ques-
ton ito the American people in a no.
.!tical campaign whore 1t shall have
been made the Issue aud upon which
they viii have an opportunity TO rem
der Judgment In an election" no de-
clarod. then sclr-gorernment In Amer
lea will have disappeared"
"Int adopting or rejecting this con-
stitutton," said Mr.. Poindexter. "and
! thereby becoming. or not becoming. a