New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1919-02-26
CUMMINS OPPOSES
PLANS FOR LEAGUE
Iowa Senator Sees American
Sovereignty ASsailed in Provisions
FAVORS GENERAL PURPOSES
Republican Asserts His Sympathy
With Purpose to Form Intcrnation-
al Peace Tribunal-Makcs Several
Suggestions for Disarmament.

Suggestions for Disarmament.
Washington, Feb. 26.-While de-
claring his full sympathy with the
purpose to form an international
peace tribunal, Senator Cummins nt
Iowa, republican, declared in an Ad-
dress today in the senate that he was
opposed to the proposed constitution
of the league of nations because ne
believed some of its provisions Woulo
strike at American sovereignty
Sees America Submerged.
Presenting the outline or arsu-
ments he would favor, Senator Cum
minis said the league draft as present
ed at Paris would form a world ma
tion with "Polyglot and incoherent
mower" which would Suhmerge me
American republic. He urged SPEEDY
conclusion of a peace treaty Win
Germany and immediate inauguration
of reconstruction work to avert un-
rest
The Iowa senator expressed approx
al of many of the provisions or the
tentative charter of the world league.
Those he attacked deal with suomlS-
sion of national questions, dlsarhla-
ment and provision for manufactures
and for reciprocal territorial guaran-
tees
Would Vote Against Measure.
"There is some good in it, (DroDOs-
ed constitution), said Senator Cum
minis. "There is more that is bad IN
st. AS now proposed ] would unheSl-
tatingly vote against it.
In presenting definite proposals for
q league which he declared could be
framed without any surrender OF AM
erican sovereignty, the senator SAID:
First, we ought to agree, and all
other nations ought to agree that
-iusticiable disputes-those issues
which can be determined by the ap-
plicatiOn of recognized law to estaD-
lished facts-should be settled either
by arbitration or adjudication; and we
ought to agree, and all other nations
ought to agree, without equlVocauon
or reserve, that we will abide by and
perform the award or judgment.
War Shonld Not Be Made
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, interna-
tional body shall have fair oppor-
tunity to discuss and examine 1t.
Upon such questions there should be
no award, no Judgment. and the
sanction should be confined to moral
influences which time, thought and
free discussion will awaken.
Third if any nation should refuse
TO submit proper controversy TO
s. 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
ficted.
In Favor of Disarmament
Fourth, the compact should con-
tain a program of disarmament; ana
after all, in disarmament lies the
hope Of permanent peace. The con-
stitution proposed is most dSappolnt-
ing in this regard, for care1ul Stuoy
gives us little right to believe that
there will be disarmament among the
strong powers.
The Iowa senator said the proposed
constitution would "neutralize all the
benefits of a peaceful settlement or
disputes between nations Affirmative
ly, destroy the national structure, and
commit the United States to course
which must end in humiliation and
disaster"
Some Provisions Unconstitutional.
"Some of the provisions" he as
serted were in direct conflict with the
United States constitution and under
the charter this nation would cease
to be distinct
Analyzing the principal provisions
of the leagues constitution, Senator
Cummins said Article *, providing
guarantees against aggression and for
territorial and political independence
of states, is the most destructive, un-
lust and reactionary proposal ever
submitted"
1T will be rejected with storm of
obloquy," he declared. we arc
solemIy asked to guarantee that the
bound diaries 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
Attacks Mandatorics Provisions.
The leagues provision for manda-
tories was attacked by Mr.. Cummins
as 1.-The grossest violation OF our
powers under the constitution
SIT is all too absurd to contemplate,
he said. When the American people
reflect upon such a proposal they will
reject it with all the emphasis OF
unanimity."
Article XIV. of the charter, Senator
Cummins said would require submis-
sion of dom estic questions to the
league, which, he added, is Incredible
He cited, as an example, the Ameri-
can policy of Chinese and Japanese
exclusion as a question which would
be left to the league council
Calls Taft Unfair.
Referring to recent statements on
the league by former President Taft,
the senator said Mr.. Taft had been
"conspicuously unfair and uncandid."
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