New-York tribune., 1919-02-15
n6sials Are Reluctant TO
s.scslss Plan, Processing
Doubt of Its Meaning
Crucial Points Outlined
Hitchcock Calls Agreement
the Greatest International
Document Ever Produced
BY Carter Field
NcU York Tribune
LII . L l., 1, -. H....1..... =.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Surprise
a. the teeth" OF the league of ma
tons constitution, as reported in Paris
n the peace conference for approval
was expressed on every hand here
to-day.
Senator's and officials generally had
begun to believe the plan would be
much more innocuous than they now
believe it to be. The points which
cause the most surprise and interest
roughly in the order named are:
I The compulsory arbitration feat
ure. 1t had been expected that
leeway would be left which might
hermit a private war" between two
nations if those nations considered
their differences unadiustable.
y The strength OF the measures to
=, be taken against any nation re-
fusing to abide by the arbitra-
ton-either OF the appointed arbi-
traitors or the executive council.
- The limitation of ornaments. 1t
y had not been expected that the
British delegates would agree to any
proposal which might limit their sea
power. There is a loophole here in
the words "having special regard to
the geographical situation and cir
camstances of each state"
A The method of government of the
-fe league, whereby the five major
powers in the alliance against Ger
many shall dominate the league
through majority of votes in the
executive council, while all other
members together select only four
nations 10 represent them. This
disposes of the hitherto unanswered
question as to how representation
IS to be determined, with its per
picking problem of how the small
nations can - represented.
Official ,lnions Reluctant
These ideas, however, while quite
generally felt, so far as diligent in
quiry could determine, did not bubbl,
to the surface without diligent search
ing.
Never in the long line of "stat
papers" which have flowed in one con
tnual stream since the world war dis
turbed Americas isolation in interna
tonal affairs has there been such al
unwillingness on the part of Senators
Representatives and officials general.
to give for publication their views
Many of them refused to-day even t,
talk about the questions involved a
ali, declaring they would have to thinl
the thing out before attempting tt
decide even whether they liked it Of
not.
81 have read Section u, which I be
lieye is the most important, and Sec.
tion l6, also apparently very important
three times so far" said one North
western Senator who established ar
International reputation as great
lawyer before he was elected to the
Senate, "and so far l am not clear
what they mean. I must have time te
study this thing further"
Republicans Delay Comment
As matter of fact, the Republican
Senators reached a virtual agreement
that none of them would give out any
interviews on the question tonight
Such ou.-andout opponents of the
whole league Of nations scheme as Sen
ss'or Borah, Of Idaho, while admitting
.rankly they would oppose any plan il
\ was merely the name League of Ma
"cns' and nothing more, refused tc
comment until they had studied the
1ext carefully or until final action wa.
'ak'T III Paris, or both.
Even such strong Administration
senator's as Lewis, of Illinois, Demo
cratic whip, and Thomas, of Colorado
salisbury, Of Delaware; Pomerene,- ot
Vnio, and Plttman, of Nevada, all mem.
oerS OF the Foreign Relations Commit
zee, refused to make any comment.
"of course, this is not the fna
lrait; said Senator Lewis, "and
you'd prefer waiting to see that before
expressing myself. -
=. AVery Senator on the Foreign Rela
,, IONS Committee, from Chairma,
thi,chcock and Ranking Minority Mem
De' Lodge down, was asked to commen
" " tne league constitution, and, will
hs single exception Of Mr.. Hitchcock
= ardent supporter Of the league plan
al Of them declined.
Senate Objections Evaded
g. As reported to the peace conference
s', G 'ext hts IN remarkably with tn
rsn' senator Hitchcock has been max
~ agalnst attacks on the general idea
-. .,.s league is like nothing which ha
* ~ attacked in the Senate. It resem
I.sa - IN virtually no degree the sort O
aYoe winch Senator Borah, of Idaho
saN senator Reed, Of Missouri, hav
s.r nolding up for the countrys dis
me ne question is, Does the leaeu
i'.o !, al OF their objections and doe
- i, . avoiding some Of them becom
~ sewing circle" which has beel
ae target of those assuming tn
sfus would not have the points at
,seo .Ac'eo by Reed and Borah. This ques
49,, "es not being answered satisfac
'i.siy here to-day.
-. "o articleS OF the league Of ma
.'.as covenant, those dealing with ar
."stion and disarmament, were rea
~ 'ne moor by Representative Harri
enn , oi Misslssippi, Democrat, in tn
sssc r,;a.s of tebate on the army appro
s.@s'on sa.a pr. They were greeted wit
II applause, bu. were xat taken u
9. ,samIn'stration leaders predicted a
~ tsspI1Itonity would be given the senat
,s ascuss the matter thoroughly a
reI"..s a a. the final text Of the leagu
r.'otion r.ss. was agreed on by In
~ conference. A. that time. the
a. ana before the conclusion Of tn
Jss,. conference. a resolution will b
s<ny.auced in the Senate declaring III
q .ss approval Of the text. Debat
u.. mat resolution viii reveal to th
as conference the ideag Of the Ger
s,ss ~ .ne questions involved, IN tn
esa., VIZ d'selose the extent Of III