Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-02-21
Warns Senate People Will
Speak Own Mind Later if Not
Given Chance for Express
sion at This Time.
SAYS CONGRESS HAS NO
POWER TO MAKE TREATY
Charges Taft's Claim That the
Monroe Doctrine Not In
v0lved "N0t Founded on
Fact";; Statement MisIeads.

Washington. Feb. 21--Senator Borah
today delivered to the senate and the
country an appeal to let America
first" remain the dominant national
doctrine In speech in the senate
Borah. discussing the league of ma
tions plan. said:
That before ii is ratified by tho
senate it should be submitted to
vote Of all the people.
That it marks the end Of the
Monroe doctrine and Washing
toms teachings against embroiI-
ment in European affairs.
That it puts England far ahead
Of the United States as a world
power by giving her and her
colonial possessions six votes to
Americas one in the leagues
council.
That the league constitution was
the biggest triumph of British
diplomacy in 800 years.
That it is the first step In
Civilization Of nationalism. and
the birth of internationaIism."
FOR AMERICANISM
Let us inscribe loyalty to Ameri-
cans upon our banner" said Borah,
In an impassioned plea for American
ism.
Let us be true to ourselves first OF
Ill and 1t follows then we can not be
false to any one"
In his speech Borah warned that IL
the people are not afforded this op-
portunity to express their unclouded
opinion on the leagues constitution,
"they will take the opportunity later
20 speak their mind"
"This plan involves in my
opinion" Borah continued, "a
change in our constitution. That
kind of question should be sub
mittsd directly to the people. We,
their agents, have no authority to
decide it for them. If we do do
eide it, we will assume a greater
responsibility than we ought.
PUBLiC'S o. X. NEEDED.
"A referendum involves difficulties,
] know, but they are not insurmount-
able and by no means comparable
with the Importance of being right
and in harmony with the people. The
league can not succeed unless it has
behind 1t the intelligent and sustained
public opinion of the people of this ma
tion.
Il concede the right of the people
to make such changes as they see fit,
upon full information as to the facts
But when radical departure from es-
tablished policy is proposed, am
sure even the advocates of this plan
will agree that the peoples voice
should be heard
SAYS TAFT MISTAKEN.
L, Il
former President Taft's statement that
adoption Of tin league constitution in
no way interfered with the principles
of Washington or the doctrine of Mon
roe.
'That statement" said Borah, sis
not founded on fact. 1t is to the ut
most degree misleading"
Referring to Taft's use of the word
"reactionary" to describe opponents OF
the league, Borah said Taft formerly
did not have that word in his vocab-
ulary.
Il think he used it by mistake" said
Borah.
Borah declared the league of nations
would be controlled by European
states.
In the proposed league an execu-
tive council is provided for which is
to dominate and control it's action
composed Of three European nations
one Asiatic and one American Borah
said. If controversy arises involv-
ing conflict between European sys-
TENS and the American system, shall
we not have to quit our ground tc
stand upon foreign ground?"
CITES WASHINGToN's PLEA.
Borah read from Washis@ton's fare
well address warning entangling al
liances.
why interweaye our destiny with
European destinies? Are we not doing
this when we Join league that gives
q majority vote to European powers In
every instance in which we could be
called into action?" Borah inquired.
Does the president pretend to say
that 1t is not departure from the
plain terms of Washington's farewell
address? Maybe the American people
will want to do it, but inveigh against
q misleading statement that we do moi
propose to do 1t with this league of ma
tions.
"Washington's policy against entang-
ling alliances and the Monroe doctrine
which Is simply the principle of self
defense applied to nation. will depart
II this league constitution is adopted.
"Mr. Taft says the league extends