The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-02-19
LEAGUE Of NATIONS BITTERLY
ATTACKED TODAY BY POINDExTER

tionaiity and the getting W OF a cen
tralixrd dcspotlsm. II must ha a dos.
potism. because no government In
whose direction ~ conferred the uiu.
mate control OF affairs OF the world
can b. free.
This movement IL backed with
great resources and ampl. funds
Such organizations as the Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace.
endowed by subject OF Great Brit
ain with resources acquired In the
United States. IL one Of it's most
powerful supporters.
These organizations are able to
employ. at high prices. influential
lecturers. including even an cx.prcsi-
dent OF the United States The
founder OF tn. society referred 10 IL
an open advocate Of the reunion OF
the United States with Great britain
and of the amairAnation OF our gov.
eminent in the British empire. The
organization for lcaw~ to enforce
peace Is but an enlargement of this
conception"
Poindexter said there are five
principal objections 10 the league Of
nations plan. These he set forth;
First--the surrender by the sever.
nj nations to the league OF power
and discretion OF determining the
rules. method and degree OF disarna.
nent and tho relative and absolute
size Of the army and navy which
any member OF the league may main.
tain.
Second--Compulsory arbitration Of
all questions. even those which here
tofore have been regarded IA non.
justiciable. affecting the vital inter.
est. honor. and even tho independ
ence of the nations.
Third-The commitment OF each
member Of the league. including tho
United States II II should become n
member. TO participate In the wars
and controversies of every other ma
ton. and to assume the general
guardianship Of various peoples" In
Europe. Asia and Africa.
Fourth--The participation by the
league. thru an international bu
reau OF labor. In the domestic. social.
economic and Industrial problems.
both in their own countries and In
all countries TO which their com
mercial and Industrial relations eS
tend
F1fth-The surrender by the Unit.
cd States to the other members OF
the league OF the power vested in
congress By the constitution to reRu
late commerce with foreign nations
I'm arms and ammunition.
Vague and loosely drawn" was
Polndexter's criticism Of various pro
visions. He said that with the
leagues executive council subject TO
ton could tell what Interpretation
might be made of provisions
Poindexter exercised great care in
preparation OF the speech which he
delivered. regardless OF President
Wilson's wish that discussion In
congress be refrained from until his
arrival.
Senator Hitchcock. chairman OF
the foreign relations committee In.
dicated today Poindexter's refusal to
abide by tho presidents wish. prob
ably would force him TO enter the
discussion.
In their present temper. senators
were believed likely to display In.
tense bitterness II the debate be
came general and prolonged. and II
they gave rein TO thoughts they
have expressed privately.
The senate foreign relations and
the house foreign affairs committees
held a joint session today. at which
the league was discussed. The pur.
pose of the meeting, however. was
TO decide whether to send n delega-
ton To Paris in March to attend
the parliamentary union. at the
Invitation Of France.