The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-03-29
CONTROVERSY ON
LEAGUE SHOWING
CHANGE VIEWS
Wilson's Acceptance Of Taft
Amendments Proves Pleas
ing to Republicans Who
Have Opposed Plan Offered.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE,
The News seimltar's Special CORE
epondent.

WASHINGTON, March 2s.-some-
thing Of a change has come into the
atmosphere Of the league Of nations
controversy President Wilson's ae-
ceptance Of amendments offered by
former President Taft, announced from
the White House, is distinctly felt from
the impression of incorporating OPP
position to any amendments which
some senators say they observed when
Wilson last visited the capitol. Any
way, many of the Republicans are
pleased. They are beginning to feel
that~the league Of nations plan is be-
ing treated not only in a nonpartlsan
basis, but that their own suggestions
have been the means of strengthening
the document and Safeguarding Amer
icanism.
Indeed two or three Republican SEN
ators, who would prefer not to have
their names mentioned, but who orig
inally signed the famous Round Rob
In" and have been visiting the people
in their respective states since, say
privately that the masses look upon
the league of nations as a p%reventa-
tive OF war and favor Its adoption. n
Of these senators went so far as to
say that when the revised covenant
was laid before the senate, not more
than three or four would be found
voting against, It. Possibly he had in
mind men like Senators Borah, Poin-
dexter and Reed. They did not take
the am view as Senator Lodge and
Knox, who stated their desire for
amendments in specific terms and who
declared themselves in favor Of the
basic principles Of an international con-
cert. 1t has developed, just an predict
ed, that the speeches Of Messrs. Lodge
and Knox were found useful by the
American delegation and have been
carefully examined in Paris for con-
structive suggestions.
On top Of this comes the statement
OF the president himself from Paris
In which he speaks of the meetings
of the league of nations commission
held, ito take advantage Of the criti-
cisms> which the publication Of the COW
enant has fortunately drawn out" This
Is taken as an admission that the Re-
publican criticism was useful after all,
Notwithstanding that some OF 1t was
bitterly denunciated.
The American mission has evidently
separated the wheat from the chaff
and taken advantage Of constructive
suggestions. Over night cable reports
that the Monroe doctrine amendment
was meeting with obstacles are not
considered disturbing because of a SUI
preme confidence and the American
mission IL strong enough in the con-
ference to win its point. If, indeed, the
league extends the Monroe doctrine and
strengthens it, as Lord Robert Cecil
has claimed, then an explicit state
ment repeating in so many terms the
principle underlying the doctrine will
not ~jeopardize interests of any nation
but will make public opinion in the
United States feel more secure.
Undoubtedly any such special reser-
walton, as was made by the American
delegation to the second Hague confer
once when fhe Monroe doctrine was not
specially defined, will hardly be asked
for by the president, but instead Of
amendment. absolutely forbidding the
peaceful acquisition or conquest by
forces Of any territory on the western
hemisphere by any European or Ash
attic powers will be proposed.
Perhaps the neutrals In Central and