The sun., 1919-03-15
CUMMINGS ATTACKS
LEAGUE OPPONENTS
Democratic Chairman Says L,
s. Already Is Member Of
Friendship Compact.
DELAYS FORMAL KEYNOTE
Daniels Argues Naval Bill Of
1916 Has Committed
Nation to Policy.

Democrats who gathered at the National
Democratic Club last night 400 strong to
hear the much heralded 1920 Keynote
speech" from Homer s. Cummings Of
Connecticut, the recently elected chair
man OF the National Committee. were
disappointed. He made no reference to
the next Presidential campaign. but de-
voted himself to defence OF the League
| of Nations. More in sorrow than in
anger" he chided tho Republicans for
their opposition and predicted that they
| had made a mistake.
Josephus Daniels, Secretary OF the
| Navy. apparently came nearer to what
the Democrats have in mind when he
| declared:
with the document the chairman has
spoken OF (the league covenant and
with the Issues already raised by the
new Congress and with the round robin
signed by the Senators, the Republicans
| have already presented us with a Presi-
dent and Congress two years from to-
day"
HyIan Not Among Elect.
The occasion was a reception given by
| the club TO Chairman Cummings. 1t was
preceded by a dinner attended by about
! fifty prominent members of the party.
Gov. Smith was kept away by an en-
| sagement in Brooklyn. Charles T. Muir
ply is on his way back from French
| Lick Springs. but the absence OF Mayor
| Hylan was unexplained
Speaking about possible changes in
the League OF Nations covenant Chair
man Cummings said that the Constitu-
| ton of the United States had been
amended several times and referring to
the recent prohibition amendment de-
clared:
Il am not so sure, in spite of the
presence OF my friend Josephus Daniels
| on the platform that 1t has improved
| the document
Vigorous laughter greeted this state
ment and one man shouted: You're all
| right"
Secretary Daniels said that not only
| was the Democratic party pledged to the
League Of Nations In its platform but
that the nation was committed to its
| support by the provision in the naval
appropriation bill OF 1916 authorizing
and requesting" the President to call a
conference OF representatives OF all the
great nations of the world to formulate
| plan for a court OF arbitration.
Chairman Cummings persisted in the
| Democratic declaration that the election
| OF a member OF that faith to Congress
| in the special election in the Twenty
second Pennsylvania district indicated
that the people OF the country were
back of the League of Nations.
When Congress adjourned. the chair
man continued. the Republicans were en-
gagged In denouncing the League of Ma
lions instead Of attending to their duties
| in the legislative halls.
Admits Covenant Is Vague.
THE argument that the covenant is
! vague can be advanced against all the
great documents OF history" pleaded Mr.,
| Cummings, The same assertion could
be made with reference 10 Magma
Charta, the Petition OF Rights, the Bill Of
Rights. the Declaration OF Independence
| and the Constitution OF the United
| States. II President Wilson should
suggest that we ought to obey the Ten
| Commandments and the Golden Rule,
there would be learned Senators who
| would argue that the doctrines are too
vague TO be understood and are certain
| to lead America into trouble. And I
! tremble to think what would happen TO
the Lords Prayer II II were submitted
TO the Senate for ratification.
| The United States and the Allies
| have in fact been operating since Amer
! Tea entered the war under a sort OF
! league OF friendship born OF war and
held together by the necessity OF real
| izinG common hopes and mutual ideals.
! This association OF nations, held to-
gether by common purpose, fought the
war to a victorious conclusion, and II
is this same league OF friendship which
dictated the terms OF the armistice and
| is about TO dictate the terms OF the
world peace. II such result can be
achieved by an informal and temporary
association OF this character. why
| should IL NOT he continued in mora