New-York tribune., 1919-04-30
the contemplated contest IN the Sen.
ate to amend the revised draft.
Borah AssaiIs Draft

the contemplated contest IN the Sen.
ate to amend the revised draft.
Borah AssaiIs Draft
Senator Borah, after conference to-
day with Senator Lodge, declared that
the more he studied the new league
covenant the more infamous some of
its provisions appeared to him.
From my standpoint,' said Senator
Borah, 81 would regard the acceptance
of the league y,any representative of
the United States, with Article X in
cluded in the covenant, as nothing
short of treason"
The Idaho Senator directed equally
as caustic criticism at Artile XI of
the covenant, declaring that under this
provision almost any controversial ques-
tion between nations could be made
proper subject matter for league action.
The Monroe Doctrine, he stated, or the
question of immigration regulation or
any one of a multitude Of questions
over which the United States cannot
afford to waive it's rights of ndepen-
dent action could be Submitted to the
decision Of the league under this pro-
vision rs involving "a threat Of war;"
and the United States would be COM
PEELED to accept the decision of an
alien tribunal in which we are out
voted nine to one.
Article XXI, tho new section inserted
In the revised draft to meet the de-
mand in this country for safeguard
for the Monroe Doctrine, ID considered d
by Senator Bornh and other interna-
tional lawyers here as practically
worthless guarantee. It rs pointed
out that by the specific provision Of
Ia! AL Hal. t...I
would have the right to pass on any
question involving tho Monroe Doctrine
II IT wnH considered necessary for the
'mhlntcnance Of peace"
Article XIV Criticised
Article XIV viii De another ground
for warm criticism when the Senate
debates the covenant. Senator Moses,
Of New hampshire, pointed out to-day
that under the provisions of this sec
tion If the United States became
involved for example, in an immigra-
tion dispute with Japan, and refused to
submit it to arbitration, Japan could
bring the matter before the league for
action and the United States would be
bound to accept decision of the ma
jority. of the council. A vote Of five to
four in the council, Senator Moses de-
United States, would compel this
country in such q case tc accept the
claims of the other party in the dis
pute.
Senator Lodges letter regarding
Fiume was addressed to officers of the
Italian societies of Boston. The letter
follows:
81 have received your telegram. In
the discussion Of the terms of peace
| have always declared that the region
known as Italia irredenta and all
adjoining regions where Italian culture
and Italian population are dominant
should be returned to Italy, and that
Italy should have military and naval
control OF the Adriatic, not only for her
own protection, but as an essential bar
rier against any future attempt Of Ger
many to attack the rest Of the world
as she did in the recent war. I have
also said repeatedly that the Jugo-
Slavs ought to have access to the Adri-
attic, which I .egard as economically
essential to their independence. To
both these opinions | adhere, and
can see no reason why the matter could
not have been arranged.
From information given me by an
|-itafian t}eputation which I saw last
spring IN Washington a.sshf.ilns.g to- was as""~"d
that Italy was entirely willing to give
portions of the Dalmatan coast con
tanning good ports to the Slav nopu
lation of that region. If this is true
as have no doubt it is, l cannot see
why this arrangement should not have
been made. The pact of London
according to the Presidents statement
provided for the return of Fiume tx
Croatia, but the dissolution of thu
Austrian Empire has vitality changed
the situation contemplated by tn,
secret treaty of London and to tina
secret treaty the United States wa.
not q party.
"I repeat that T think Italy shoult
make arrangements to secure an access
to the Adriatic to tie Slavic popula
tions which | hope will form unitet
Flume, if Italy is Of opinion that i
is necessary to her safety and fo,
her protection that she should hol,
Fiumc, | am clearly Of the opinion
that it should be hers, especially a,
the people. of Fume, understand, hav,
voted to join with Italy.
Rests on Safety Grounds
"Italy regards Fiume as the founder
OF our own Republic regarded tn
mouth of the Mississippi when it wa
said that any other nation holding tn
mouth Of the Mississippi was of neces
sity an enemy of the United States
That which we desire to do for tn
Slavs is purely commercial and eco
nomic.
"ltaly's demand for Fiume rests o.
the ground of national safety and pro
lection. Italy has fought side by sid
with France, England and the Unite
States, and has helped enormously i,
r9DeillnN tho (,nrrnan I.
sacrificed half-million of her people
She has burdened herself with hsav
debts. She has suffered grievously Ii
ner n industries and in her food supply
She has taken possession of Fiume
which was part Of the enemy territor,
by her victory in the war. do no
sec how the United States and tn
other nations with whom she wa VA
allied can properly refuse her re qunst
j earnestly hope that Fiumc may be
come an italian possession so ms t.
| give her that security to which he
armiss and her sacrifice entitle her"