The sun., 1919-02-18
IGNORE WILSON,;
DISCUSS LEAGUE
Senator's Decide Not to Await
Presidents Return to
Protest Treaty.
4 LEADERS SERVE NOTICE
Lodge and Knox Silent
WadswOrth Points to Perils
in Present Pact.
4 LEADERS SERVE NOTICE
Special Despatch 10 TIE SUI.

WASHINGTON. Feb. II. - The first
the question of the proposed League of
Nations have been heard by Congress
in the form Of letters from home.
These echoes are adverse and critical.
and in the arguments which they pre-
sent are frankly against the entrance
Of America into a world league for
peace upon the terms set forth in the
constitution.
It is this fact more than any inter-
nal reaction in Washington that pre-
disposes the Senators, who consider
themselves equally important factors
with the President in the adjustment
OF Americas relations with the outside
world to proceed with open discussion
ot the league constitution. This will
)e done, as stated in THE Sun, not
alone in authorized interviews and
comment for the press but in addresses
delivered on the floor of the Senate.
Four Leaders VIII Act.
Already four Senate leaders-Sena-
tors Borah Qda), Kellogg (Minn.) and
Poindexter (Wash). Republicans, and
Reed (Mo), Democrat. have deter
mined they will express themselves ad-
versely on the league constitution in
the interval which must elapse before
President Wilson's return in defiance
of what they consider as the Presi-
dents unwarranted attempt to silence
them through his plea to maintain si-
lence until his arrival In Washington.
Thus far no Republican has said that
he approves unquestioningly OF the
league constitution. Even from among
the two or three Republicans who In past
discussions have admitted leanings
toward the general idea OF a League OF
Nations there is yet to be heard word
of approval for the scheme OF world
reorganization as outlined by the con-
stitution made public last Friday.
Democrats Ready to Attack.
On the other hand there is no una
nimity of favorable opinion among the
Democrats. Half a score of the Demo-
| Gratis of prominence in the Senate are
ready to attack the league plan even in
advance OF President Wilson's promised
explanation. Although repeated efforts
to obtain a poll of the Senate nave failed
to fructify, by reason of the noncommittal
character OF many of the replies and the
unwillingness OF many Senators to ex-
press hasty judgment 1t Is apparent that
to-day a bare majority vote approving
the document would be impossible to
obtain in the Senate.
With this apparent Il Is pointed out
by the leaders how much OF a task lies
before the President II he hopes to OBJ
tain from so inimical a legislative body
a two-thirds vote in the Senate TO ratify
an actual instrument making effective
Americas participation and membership
in a League OF Nations.
Lodge and Knox Not Talking.
From Senator Lodge (Mass) }. the Re-
publican leader. and Senator Knox (Pa)
formerly Secretary OF State In the Taft
Cabinet, not a word has yet been per-
mitted to become public in regard to
their attitude on the league constitution.
Both Senators are regarded as highest
authorities in the Senate on the question
OF foreign policy.
Their silence thus far cannot be ac-
cepted as tacit admission that the
league constitution. as published and
proposed to be promulgated. has their
approval in any particular. Roth are
known to be reserving their judgmex
and the expression OF their opinions
pending more complete information In
regard to the document itself. Both have
spoken against the principles which have
been incorporated in certain articles of
! the league constitution. Neither is ex-
pected to keep silent much longer al
| though there is a possibility that Sena-
tor Lodge may not formally address
| the Senate unless the coming discussion
| by others should involve points on which
his onoJneements w-eei -prove~.eces'
sary.
In to-day's proceedings. Senator vii,
I llams (Miss) had inserted into the
mi.