The sun., 1919-02-20
FATAL LEAGUE
PLAN ATTACKED
BY POINDEXTER
Senator Warns That Wilson
Project Surrenders Ma
tons Sovereignty.
IS AKIN TO SOVIETS
Imperative That People Vote
on It-Fess Terms 1t
"MOnstrOus."
Special Despatch TO THE suS.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 19.-If America
becomes member of the proposed
League OF Nations on the basis Of its
constitution as cabled to this country
1t will lose its entity and its indepen-
dence and will cease to be a country OF
people governing their own destiny.
This in brief was the purport Of a
carefully prepared speech delivered in
tho Senate to-day by Senator Poindex-
ter (Wash.).
While the Senator was addressing
the upper chamber Representative
Tess COhIo) in a short speech in the
House carefully took the proposed
league constitution to pieces to show
where 1t was in conflict with American
ideas and ideals and how 1t would con-
fct with the Constitution Of the United
states.
Crowds storm Galleries.
Senator Poindexter's speech was sched-
uled for to-day and the galleries were
packed. Hundreds OF disappointed per-
sons sought admittance. Soldiers an6
SdlIOTS preuOtnlHateu dHiohS bic hich
who came to hear the speech. No such
crowd has been attracted to the Senate
on the occasion of any other utterance
in opposition to the League OF Nations.
The explanation generally offered was
that the public crowded into the Capitol
rather to see and hear defiance OF the
demand from the President that the Sem
ate refrain from discussion OF the league
until his temporary return TO his duties
here,
Senator Reed (Mo.). interrupted Sem
ator Polndexter to ask II it would not be
possible that in the future Germany
might hold control of the proposed league.
and this was answered in the affirmative.
Further questions from Senator Reed
developed that acceptance by the United
States of the league constitution pro-
posed in Paris would deprive the United
Safes of its right to defend Itself and
would make IN eight to one voting force
against this country. Developments IN
the future might be such as TO make this
to / tribunal composed for the most
part of envious. jealous or even enemy
nations
The most startling comparison made
by Senator Poindexter was that Of the
proposed workings of the proposed
league to tht Soviets in Russia.
Its body of delegates and executive
council and permanent secretariat' are
very largely a duplication of the frame
work Of the Soviets," he declared.
This fatal coyenant" Senator Potn-
dexter called It toward the close Of an
address which essayed to rend the
oaN nc
would tear apart sheet OF paper
AnaIyzing the document from the stand
points OF lawyer and statesman, Senator
poindexter made the downright assertion
that its provisions, applied to the sover-
eighty Of the United States were wholly
Incompatible with the Constitution ano
thoroughly dangerous to American ma
uonality. "A frightful compact" he
termed the covenant. one that threat
ened the United States with immediate
war snould the United States fail tt
obey the DEGREES of the league.
People VIII Fix own Fate.
The Government and people Of the
United States will determine" he said
whether they are to remain the grea'
sovereign and independent nation will
tho most -cOhplete seif-EoeSi'nment e. 81
dal lised by man and the highest functions
~ citizenship ever enjoyed. a people
controlling their own destiny. determin
Ing for themselves through their con
Sntuted Government the extent of theii
military preparations. the size of theil
armies and navies, establishing fol
themselves their international relations
or whether they are to merge theil
destines with those OF the other nations
~ the world, sharing their burdens. par
icipatng in their quarrels and becom
ing party to all OF the internationa
complications arising out of diversity o
race and language and from conflict o
interests OF the various peoples Of Asia
Africa and Europe.
Are We to surrender to an inter
national council and body OF delegate
'hoso high functions of sovereignt,
which heretofore we have exercised 70
ourselves and vest in the jurisdiction
~ an International league the deter
'nlnation Of our armaments, the decision
oi peace and OF war even In the mos
vital questions affecting our nationa
honor, integrity or material welfare
lhere Is this further question involved
ot whether we would be promoting tn
cause OF peace in the world by tn
adoption Of this constitution. or on tn
other hand would be plunging the worl
into new set or controversies, and b
requiring every nation TO NEEDLE wit
every other nations business would b
bringing about an indefinite series Q
armed conflicts"
The Senator said that mind you
own business Is a good motto for a
Individual and that hitherto II has bee
me fundamental principle Of our foreie
policy as nation, saving us from wa
ana giving US long erag of peace for I'll
development OF our industrial life
bringing US happiness, greatness an