The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-02-26
Plan
DISCUSSION
CON INUED
IN SENATE
Debates Pro and Con on VIII
sons Proposal for League
Covenant Owen to Speak
in Support. -.
CUMMINs HAS A PLAN
tBy Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, Feb. Z6-While de-
claring his full sympathy with the
purpose to form an international peace
tribunal, Senator Cummins. Of Iowa.
declared in an address to-
day in the senate that he was opposed
to the proposed constitution Of the
league of nations because he believed
some Of its provisions would strike
at American sovereignty.
Presenting the outline Of agree
ments he would favor. Senator Cum
minis said the league draft a. present
ed at Paris would for q world ma
ton" with "polyglot and incoherent
power" which would submerge tho
American republic.
In the course Of his address. he
urged speedy conclusion Of peace
treaty with Germany and immediate
Inauguration Of reconstruction work
to avert unrest.
The Iowa senator expressed APPROX
al of many of the provisions of the
tentative charter Of the world league.
Those he attacked deal with suDmis-
sion Of national questions. disarma-
ment, and provisions for mandatories
and for reciprocal territorial guar
antees.
"There is some good in it (the pro-
posed constitution" said the sena-
tor. There is more that is bad In 1t.
As now proposed, I would unhesitat-
ingly vote against 1T.
Presents New League Plan
In presenting definite proposals for
a league which he declared could be
formed without any surrender Of
American sovereignty, Senator Cum
minis said:
First, we ought to agree, and al
tifiablo disputes those issues which
can b. ds4ermina6 BY the application
|of reCoguiBod 3aW to ostab1ish6d facts
|-should ~ 0et1lod either BY arbitrar
tfon or ad1pdicatipn: and ye -onght to
|6krse. and IN other nations ought to
agree, without eQuiyocation or reserve
that we with abide by and perform the
award or judgment.
Second, we ought to agree and all
other nations ought to agree. that
with respect to other international dis
putes war shall not be made until
some permanent, regular and inter-
national body shall have a fair oppor-
tunity to discuss and examine 1t.
Upon such questions there should be
no award. no judgment, and the sane
ton should be confined to moral In
fluences which time, thought and free
discussion will awaken.
Third. II any nation should refuse
to submit q proper controversy to
Judgment, or refuse to perform the
Judgment when rendered, or refuse to
delay war, am willing to agree that
ostracism shall be the penalty in
flicted.
Disarmament Program.
Fourth. the compact should obtain
q program Of disarmament, and, after
all, in disarmament lies the hope Of
permanent peace. The constitution
proposed is most disappointing In this
regard, for a careful study gives us
little right to believe that there will
be any disarmament among the strong
| powers"
The Iowa senator said the proposed
| constitution would "neutraliza all the
benefits Of q peaceful settlement Of
disputes between nations, Affirmative
| " destroy the national structure ana
commit the United States to q pro-
gram which must end in humiliation
| and disaster"
Some of the provisions. he asserted.
were in direct conflict with the United
States constitution and under the
charter this nation would cease ''to
| be exist"
| Analysing the principal provisions
Of the leagues constitution. Senator
Cummins said article 10. providing
guarantees against aggression and for
territorial and political Independence
of states, Is ''the most destructive. un.
just and reactionary proposal ever
submitted"
Tt will be rejected with a storm Of
obloquy," he declared. I'VE are col.
EMMY asked to guarantee that the
boundaries Of nations as they now
exist, or when the peace conference
has re-drawn the map of Europe
Asia, Africa and Oceanica, shall re
main without change forever"
The leagues provision for manda
/ rContinued On PAGE Eleven.l