Evening star., 1919-02-15
Senator sherman,s Comment.

doctrine and the unpledged balance of
power"
Senator Sherman's Comment.
Senator Sherman of Illinois, repub-
lican, said:
1T is, The Hague convention with
economic pressure added. There is no
provision for international police
mere Is no means of enforcing it. 1t
Is complete abandonment of the
PRESIDENTS peace league as proclaim
ed py him on his departure for France.
II is compound of moral suasion and
economic pressure. II an outlaw ma
ton makes war on a league member,
the league viii address it homily
on its unladylike behavior in attack
ing one of the league members
would oppose league of nations
which removed any part of the SOW
ereignty of the United States, and
will oppose this proposal in so far as
il abandons any of our sovereign
rights. But it appears innocuous in
its present form. 1t is a voluntary
league to exert moral influence on the
public opinion of mankind"
Resolution of Approval.
Senator Lewis of Illinois. democratic
whip of the Senate, said that he ex-
pected the Senate would be called
upon to vote on resolution APPROX
ing the plan for the league of ma
tions, after the President had returned
to the United States and presented the
full terms of and all Information con-
nected with the proposed league. He
expressed the opinion that the plan
for the league would fully cover the
IDEAS of the President
Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia said
that he desired more time to study
the provisions of the proposed constf-
tuition of the league and that there
would be ample time for such study
before the President again leaves this
country to attend the peace confer
ence in Paris.
TN a general way" he said, "I am
in favor of cooperation among the
nations for the maintenance of peace.
Praised by Senator Hitchcock.
Declaring that while the draft OF
the constitution of the league of ma
tions is not final it constitutes the
greatest international document ever
produced" Senator Hitchcock OF Ne
braska, chairman of the foreign rela-
tions committee, issued statement
praising the document He said the
proposed league was not the monster
which some of those who attacked
the plan for a league of nations had
predicted, nor yet was il "the helpless
sewing circle that one sneering critic
predicted it might be"
Senator Hitchcock in his statement
said control of the executive council,
to which would be intrusted the real
power of the league, would always be
in the hands of the United States,
Geat Britain, France, Italy and Japan.
This element of permanency and
strength in the executive council, he
said, is "a highly important feature
In some respects" said the SEN
ator. "the covenants which nations
make when they join the league re-
semble existing arbitration or peace
treaties. They agree never to go to
war without submitting differences to
arbitration, the arbitrators to be
agreed upon, or to an examination by
the executive council, and not even
then for three months after the deci-
sion. This pledge guarantees against
sudden. war and assures cooling
off time.
Provides for Violations.
"A nation violating this pledge even
by threatening war prematurely viii
he considered as making war upon
every member of the league. and then
the executive council is authorized TO
determine and recommend what force
each member of the leaS shall con-
tribute in defense. Before this, how
ever. each nation is also required TO
cut off all financial. commercial. busi-
ness and social relations with the
offending nation. This prospect con-
stituteS most formi0aDie reason
WHY no nation will thus violate its
promise to arb:trate.
Another important covenant mace
by the nations joining the league Is
the agreement to make such reduc-
tions of national ornaments to the
lowest possible point consistent with
national safety as the executive coun-
ell shall determine and recommend
Another covenant in the constftu-
ton which is significant is the agree
ment to respect and preserve against
aggression the territorial integrity
and independence of league members
Significant also is the brief deciara-
tjon that even a threat of war be-
comes at once the concern OF the
league.
Hun Colonies Under Guardianship.
German colonies and dependent
territories are to be under league
one member. however.
being the mandatory to carry out the
league policy. This represents the
highest plan of altruistic service.
"Whfle this particular draft of the
is not final. it constitutes.
he