The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-10

agrees there are questions or situations
which never can be considered by the
league, namely, domestic questions and
International disturbances of a revo-
lutionary character. That the relation
ship, for instance, of Ireland to Eng
land is a domestic question has been re-
peatedly stated by British statesmen. II
the question of giving Independence or
self-government to Ireland may be heard
by this League of Nations then 1t could
be logically contended that the question
of Japanese immigration into this coun
try, considered by everybody II domestic
question, could be heard by the league.
II we have a right, and America demands
that right, to define and decide for our
selves what questions properly come
within the designation domestic ques-
tions, Great Britain will and should
have the same right; and certainly no
member here Is so optimistic as TO think
that Great Britain will not avail herself
OF the claim that the Persian. the Hindu,
the Egyptian, the Irfsh and the South
African question are of a domestic char
acter.
Subject Peoples Blocked.
Even II a subject people should sue
coed in getting a member of the league
10 present its case all that the offending
member holding that particular race in
subsection needs to do is to say that
the question is of domestic concern and
the case would Immediately be dropped
THE members of this body need not
be told the elastic and varied meaning
that can be given to the term domestic
concern nor is II necessary to call their
attention to the innumerable acts of in
justice that have been perpetrated in
81, 1f At 10, r,f
Innocent men. women and children
without interference of any outside
nation and merely because of the plea
that the questions were of domestic con-
Germ. This idea has prevented many
nations from interfering in behalf OF
subjected peoples. The words domestic
concern underlined in this League of
Nations, perpetuates and makes perma
nent the oppressors right to shield
himself by submitting the plea of lack
of jurisdiction because the question Is
of domestic concern. Indeed, this league.
in providing that the council must act
unanimously, makes the oppressor sole
Judge and jury of any plea or injunction
which it may advance.
II cannot subscribe to any provision
in this covenant, which will permit any
government to have more votes or more
influence in this league than the United
States of America The least that any
American can accept is equal repre-
sentation for our country with that of
any other.
at is not to differ from my colleagues
on this side of the chamber that | say
these things. Because of my high re-
gard for their views l have steadily
fought against the constantly growing
convictions that l could not, without
violence to my conscience, by voice or
vote support some of the features of this
covenant In parting from them oby
supporting some reservations which
deem necessary. l believe l am pot part
ing from my party principles. To vote
for this covenant without protecting
reservations is, in my opinion, TO legalize
wrongs to endanger the sovereignty OF
America, to deny the downtrodden and
submerged races of the world the right
to enjoy some day the blessing of liberty
the love OF which the Almighty has
planted in every human breast. III
choice must be made between League
of Nations and the Constitution of the
United States, l am first and last with
the Constitution"
Senator Nelson (MinnD spoke early
in the day devoting himself chiefly to
urging the necessity for promptly max
ing peace in order that the world might
be settled He was particularly In
sistent on the need for suppressing Boil
shevism.