Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1919-02-19
BORAH DECLINES REQUEST
Idaho Senator Asks to Be EX-
cused From Meeting Will
son at Conference.
OTHER MEMBERS TO ATTEND
Remainder Of Foreign Com
mittee viii Hear Presi-
dents Exposition.

WAsHlNGTON. Feb. Opposl-
ton In the senate To tho constitution
OF the league Of nations began today
TO take definite foFm, Senator Bornh
OF Idaho, "A republican menber OF
the foreign relations committee, for
mally declined to ACCEPT President
Wilson's invitation 10 attend the
white ,Nuse dinner February 26, ana
Senator PoindeNtcr OF Washington,
republican, announced that he would
speak In the senate tomorrow In
criticism OF the league pian.
All memberH2of the senate foreign
relations committee except Mr.,
Borah plan to atte,d the presidents
dinner TO discuss with him the con
stltutlon OF the league and II was ex-
pected that they would abide by the
presidents request 10 refrain from
open disc ussion OF the matter until
that time.
General debate L. tne senate. how
ever, may follow Senator Poindex-
ter's address.
Nnrdaman Opposes.
open criticism OF the league con
stitution was voiced today In the
senate by Senator Narda aman OF Mis-
sissppi democrat. He said the con
stitution was unconstitutional and
also criticised President Wilson for
requesting that discussion In congress
he postponed until after he could
confer with the senate and house
foreign relations committees.
SeR5tor Borah pians to speak
Thursday in opposition TO the
league. In his letter TO Secretary
Tumulty declining the Ifrcsdents'in IN
vltation, Mr.. Borah said II was the
custom to hold In cofidenoe any In
formation received nt conferences at
tho white house and that he was not
willing TO he bound to silence on
such an important subject, on which
he and the president disagreed fun
damcntnlly.
After receiving the letter. which
Senator borah made public today.
Secretary Tumulty Immediately
transmitted II by radio TO President
Wilson on the steamer George wash
ington. which is due to reach Boston
next Tuesday.
Borah's Letter.
Senator Borah's letter roNOws.
II greatly appreciate your note
honorlng me with an invitation to
meet thappresIdent February 20 to
discuss the league OF nations II
matter OF most vital concern 10 the
whole country Meeting at the white
house, according 20 long standing
custom, are always regarded as
strictly confidential upon the part
OF the guests. This matter. | take IL.
would be regarded as especially CON
fidential, otherwise the president
would have spoken according to his
custom, TO the open senate. The dit
ferences between the president and
myself on this question are funda-
mental am sure no suggestion or
mine would modify in the slightest
the view OF the president and moth
ing could Induce me TO support this
league as outlined In this proposed
constitution or anything like IT,
II feel, therefore. that 1t would
not he fair TO the president TO ac-
cept his confidence or receive from
him confidential Information CON
cernlnE this subject. Neither In my
view OF the subject could ! accept in
formation which | would not feel
perfectly free 10 transmit TO my coils
leagues or use in public debate. After
much reflection I beg. therefore to
be excused from attending the meet
Ing.
In writing this note and In TAX
Ing this course, ! mean no personal
dIsrespect TO or disregard ~ the
president, simply find myself In
such disagreement with him TO feel
so intensely concerning the matter
that | can not do other than candidly
advise him OF the fact"
II was regarded tonight as highly
probable that attacks on the league
plan In tNeA senate would draw
spirited defense from administration
senator's Some senator's said they
did not regard the presidents re-
quest as precluding replies to criti-
cism, Their view is that the presi-
dent actually meant TO request post
pOncment OF judgment or conviction
on the tentative constitution and not
prevent iis supporters from replying