Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-02-26
Iowa Senator Brands Paris
Covenant ''Most Destructive,
Unjust and ReaCtionary Pro-
p0Sal" Ever Submitted.
HAS SUBSTITUTE PLAN TO
ERASE ALLEGED DEFECTS
Declares Citizens, When They
Grasp the Inevitable Conse-
quences, Will Reject PROPOSE
tion With Storm of Censure.

Washington, Feb. 26.--Popular dis
approval of the proposed league of ma
tions was forecast by Senator Cum
minis Of Iowa, Republican, today in a
speech to the senate. He urged sub
stitute plan which he said is the lin
ternational compact which the Amer-
can people are waiting, hoping and
praying for"
Cummins described the Paris con-
stitution as "the most destructive, un-
just and reactionary proposal which
was ever submitted to patriotic and
intelligent people,"
When the citizens of the United
States thoroughly grasp the meaning
of the proposed agreement and fairly
understand it's inevitable conse-
quences," Cummins declared, ut will
be rejected in a storm of obloquy, the
like of which has never been witnessed
within the borders of the republic"
HAS OWN PROJECT.
He then outlined the following,
which he said would meet the hopes
Of the American people:
First-All nations should agree
to settle justfiable disputes by ar
bitration or adjudication and agree
without reserve to abide by tho
award or Judgment.
Second-AlI nations should agree
that in all other international dis
putes that war should not be made
until some International body in
which every member of the league
Is represented shall have a fair
opportunity to discuss it. Upon
L. L
award and the sanction should be
confined to the moral influences
awakened by free discussion.
Third-Ostracism for any ma
tion refusing to submit contro-
versy properly or perform the
Judgment rendered, or to delay
war until combined powers shall
be given full consideration.
Fourth-The compact should
sustain a program of disarmament.
CONFUSED, COMPLICATED.
Cummins described the Paris draft ,
as confused and complicated"
There Is some good in it," he ad-
mitted, but added, there is more that !
is bad in it. If | were compelled to
vote upon the instrument as a whole,
! would unhesitatingly vote against it,
AHCAS arc pioNiSiOiio III II WHICH
not only degrade the spirit of our peo-
pie, but put it beyond the power of .
the republic to establish justice, in
sure domestic tranquility, provide for
the common defense, promote the gen.
eral welfare and secure the blessings
Of liberty for ourselves and our pos
terity.' And so fulfill the declaration
of the constitution"
"It raunires No cloSa ;na,,;,,,
the sentiment of the American people
to be certain that there is a universal
and passionate desire to do something
to enter into some compact--to pre-
vent war with all its deadly conse-
quences.
1T is this overwhelming conviction
which finds expression in the tumult-
uous applause which thrills every au-
dience as it listens to the glowing ap-
peals for league of nations
AT TOO GREAT PRICE.
Il cannot believe, however, that
very many of these people will insist
that the overthrow of American insti-
tutions is necessary In order to accom-
plish the beneficient purpose they
have in mind ,and to attain the end
they so fervently desire"
Some sections of the constitution
not only neutralze the benefits of a |
peaceful settlement but destroy the
national structure and commit the
United States to n course which must
end In humiliation and disaster, ne
said. 1t is disappointing as regards
disarmaments, Cummins added.
II have some doubt in regard to our
power to enter into the treaty pro-
posed in the Paris constitution, a
doubt arising from the universality
and duration of the obligation we are
asked to assume" he continued. 1--WE
are solemnly asked to guarantee that
the boundaries of nations, as they
now exist. or as they will exist when
the conference has redrawn the map
Of Europe. Asia, Africa and Oceania,
shall remain without change forever"
Cummins attacked provisions re-
garding mandatories as 1.-THE climax
of the surrender"
GROSS VIOLATION.
This article is not only bad in it.
self, but 1t is the grossest violation of
our powers under the constitution
that has ever fallen unde- my obser-
vation."
He illustrated by applying the prin-
ciple to Turkey.
Internationally we have the right
frSnukar,~z