Omaha daily bee., 1919-03-19
SENATOR FROM
MISSOURI HITS
NATION LEAGUE
Reed Criticizes Proposed Plan
to Enforce Peace Before
Joint Session of Mis- "a
souri, Legislature.

Jefferson City, Mo-, March 49,
The Missouri legislature, in joint
session, today heard an address by
United States Senator Reed ofIMiss-
souri,, i'll criticism Of the league OF
nations constitution.
Reiterating contentious that the
league would abrogate the Monroe
doctrine, violate the American con-
stitution, create "super-govern-
ment of the world" and force the
United States into worldwide diff
ficulties and policing obligations,
Senator Reed challenged assertions
OF its advocates that the leagues
DEGREES and powers would be mere
ly advisory. He insisted that its
action would be mandatory and in
volve Command of the world"
Entangle America.
IF, however" he argued, 1T is
contended that the obligation is
morally binding, then, indeed, we
are worse off, because the United
States will keep its moral obliga-
tions, whereas some other nations
might not
"All these contentious were utter
ly destroyed by the president, who,
when he presented the league consti-
tuition to the peace council, expressly
stated Armed force is in the back
ground of this program. =.
And if the moral force of the world
will not suffice, the physical force
of the world shall. ;" =
British Origin.
Declaring that the tentative con-
stitution was of British origin, Sem
ator Reed asserted that America
would be directly entangled in
European alliances. H..
Asserting that the league charter
contains no provision for withdraw
al of nations from the league, Sen
ator Reed continued:
Those who conceived its struc-
ture did not intend to allow the
United States to escape, once it
should fatefully step within the en-
tangling web.
"The American people were told
that the constitution of the league
had been conceived by American
representatives and was being forced
on reluctant Europe. 1t now trans
pires that ..le entire scheme from
first to last, with some slight modi-
fications, is the product of British
craftsmanship"
The executive council feature of
the plan was attacked especially by
the senator.
Create Oligarchy.
1--WE thus create an oligarchy
clothed with more arbitrary powers
than we're ever yielded by any des-
POT on earth" he said. Here rs
tribunal of five men, without any
limitations whatsoever upon their
authority. against whose decision.
once rendered, there is no appeal
save to armed forces. If this be
not a creation of the very command
of the world, then the language Of
agi eements can not create powers"
Citing the questions which he said
would be brought before the league,
Senator Reed said that among them
might be a grant by Mexico of land
to Japan, or sale by Colombia of
land to some foreign power which
could erect fortress to command
the Panama canal.
The disarmament provisions of
the league charter, the Missouri sem
ator asserted, would give the execu-
tive council absolute power to limit
American armament. He added:
1--WE may be beleaguered by en-
emies. All the enemies of destruc-
ton may be gathering about us.
Yet, unless we can gain the consent
of the five masters of the world (the
executive counciD, we must remain
unprepared and meet our fate with
naked hands"