The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-26
NEW SEES VOTE
FOR LEAGUE AS
ACT OF TREASON
Traitor to Country II He
Backed Present Plan,
He Tells Senate.
BRITISH GAIN is Barred
johnson Amendment Endorsed
as Necessary to Protect
United States.
Special Despatch to THE SUI.

Special Despatch 10 The Sun.
WASHINGTON, Sept. Ex-senator
Harry 8. New Ind.) took up to-day
the task Of assailing the League Of
Nations Covenant in the general de-
bate now proceeding in the Senate.
In an extended speech he analysed
the shortcomings of the document, and
ended up with the announcement Of
his belief that, holding the views he
does of the covenant he would commit
treason by casting a vote In favor Of
It in the form demanded by President
Wilson.
Senator New left It to the magma
ton of his hearers as to whether he
thought the advocates Of the ratifica-
ton without amendment were In con-
sequence traitors. He was speaking
only for himself.
Along with the serious analysis Of
the covenant, Senator New expressed
the opinion that the Presidents
dreamy altruism regarding the GER
tain success of his League Of Nations
was only degree less visionary than
the. Authorizations of Don Quixote.
He compared the league to a fetch
and told of acquaintance back in
Hoosierdom who religiously 'toted' raw
potatoes in their pockets as a preven-
tive of rheumatism or wore a silken
thread about their necks to stave OF
sore throat.
Balance of Power shown.
Principally Senator New devoted him.
self to a contradiction of the Presidents
assertion that the provisions of the
Britain and her overseas possessions
have six votes in the assembly of the
league to one for the United States
would not create a balance Of power
In the assembly against this country.
Senator New held the Johnson amend
ment to the covenant was absolutely
essential to the preservation Of Ameri-
can rights and announced his intention
to support the amendment In the Senate.
The Senator's speech received grave
attention from we'll filled galleries, and
there was excellent attendance on the
floor. He was followed by Senator
Smith (Md.). who announced his in
tsntion of supporting the treaty and
covenant although admitting that both
seriously needed revision.
It was Senator Smiths argument that
the percentage of satisfaction in all ma
lions could not possibly be 100 and that
the pact as drawn doubtless represented
the best obtainable compromise.
Mr.. New said In part:
"Mr. President, have been curious to
know just what objection could be legiti-
mately urged to the adoption of the
amendment offered by the Senator from
California, which provides that the
voting strength of the United States in
the league shall equal that of Great
Britain. The claim that the voting SUI
periority of Great Britain is apparent
rather than real Is not warranted by
the facts as l see them. Recently a
League of Nations organization ad.
dressed a number OF inquiries to Presi.
dent Wilson, and on September IS, un-
der San Francisco date line. he an.
swered one. in which he was asked
about the six votes of Great Britain, by
saying 1T Is not true that the British
Empire can outvote us in the League
Of Nations. and therefore control tn,
action of the league, because in every
matter except the admission Of new
members to the league no action car
be taken without the concurrence of
unanimous vote of the representative
Of the States which are members of thu
council SO that in all matters of actor
the Affirmative vote OF tine United StateI
Is necessary and equivalent to the uniteC
vote of the representatives of the sew
eral parts of the British Empire
vital Fact Is Overlooked.
-Surely the President overlooks tn,
fact that in those disputes In whicl
America is so concerned we have NJ
vote at all. He also overlooks the fac
that under Article XIV il a dispute b,
referred to the assembly there may b.
q report made public by a majority o
the assembly, in which majority Grea
Britain would have six votes to our one
And even more important Is the Presi
dents failure to remember that unde
Article ~. the assembly has the RICH
to choose four members of the council
and there appears to be no doubt tina
the assembly may elect by a majorit,
vote When II comes to electing thes
four members of the council Grea
Britain would start with six votes &C
credited TO the home Government ant
the colonies, in addition to which sh
would control the vote of Persia ant
Hedjaz.
'If there is any provision in the cove
nant which forbids elections to tn
council to be other than by the usua
majority vote, l can not find II an
would be pleased to have some Senate
point 1t out. / therefore charge tina
whom the President states that Grea
Britain can not cast more votes thai
the United States in the election of tn
four elective members of the council h
either misunderstands or misrepresent
the provisions OF the covenant, and Is L
that extent misleading the America
people. His new mathematical theoreH