The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-02-26
tUMMINS FLAyS
'SoME FEATURES
I OF PEACE PLAN
Iowa Senator Cites Alleged
Weak Points,

WASHINGTON. Feb. 26-While
declaring his full sympathy with the
purpose TO form an international
peace tribunal, Senator Cummins o'
Iowa, republican. declared ~ an adj
dress today in the senate that he was
opposed to the proposed constitution
Of the league Of nations because he
be- eyed some Of its provisions would
strike at American sovereignty
Presenting the outline OF the agree
ments he would favor, Senator Cum
Minis said the league draft as pre-.
sen,ed at Paris would form world
nation" with "polyRlot and inherent
powers" which would submerge the
American republic. In the course OF
his address he urged speedy conclu-
sion OF a peace treaty with Germany
and immediate inauguration OF re
construction work TO avert unrest.
The Iowa senator expressed ap-
ptoyal Of many Of the provisions OF
the tentative charter Of the world
league. Those he attacked deal with
Submission OF national questions, dis
armamen, and a provision ipr man
da,ories and for reciprocal territorial
guarantee.
"Therc is some good in !, (,he pro-
posed con,'iiu,ion)," said Senator
Cummins There is more that is bad
in it. As now proposed ! would TN
hesi,a,ingly vote against II.
Substitute Proposals.
In presenting definite proposals for
n league which he declared can be
formed wi,hou, any surrender OF
American sovereignty, Senator Cum
minis said: -.
"First. we ought to agree, and all
other nations ought to agree. that JUS
ticiable disputes-those issues which
can he determined by the application
Of recognized law TO established facts
should be settled either by arbltra-
tion or by adjudication and VIC ought
10 agree and all other nations ought
10 agree. without cquiyocation or re-
serve. that we will abide by and per-
form the award or judgment
"Sccond. we ought to agree, and all
other nations ought 10 agree, that with
respect TO other national disputes war
shall not he made until some perma-
nent. regular, international body shall
have fair opportunity to discuss and
examine il. Upon such question there
should be no award. no judgment, and
the sanction should he confined to
moral influences which time. thought
and free discussion viii awaken.
"Third. il any nation should refuse
20 submit proper controversy Ia
Judgment or refuse 70 perform the
iudpmen, when rendered. or refuse &c
DELAY war, | am willing to agree that
ostracism shall be the penalty IN
flicied.
Fourth. the compact should CON
tain a program of disarmament, and,
alter all, in disarmament lies the
hope OF permanent peace. The eonSti-
tuition proposed is most disappointing
in this regard Tor careful study
gives us little right TO believe there
will be any disarmament among the
strong powers
The Iowa senator said that the pro-
posed constitution would "neutrallre
all the benefits of a peaceful settle
ment Of disputes between nations, al
firmatively destroy the national
structure and commi, the United
States TO course which might end In
humiliation and disaster Some oi
the provisions, he asserted, were IN dl-
rect conflict with the United States
constitution and under the charter this
nation would cease TO he distinct"
Analyzing the principal provisions
of the leagues constitution. Senator
Cummins said Article Ten providing
guarantees against aggression for po-
litioal and territorial independence
among states. il the most destructive
unjust and revolutionary proposal ever
submitted
1T will he rejected with storm OF
obloQuy," he declared. we are sol
emnly asked TO guarantee that the
boundaries OF nations, as they now
exist or when the peace conference
has redrawn the map Of Europe, Asia
Africa and Oceanica, shall remain
without change forever"
The leagues provision for manda
tories wa, attacked by Mr.. Cummin'
as "the grossest violation OF our pow
ers under the constitution"