Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-01-02
LEWIS BARES
G.0.P.AIM To
FOIL WILSON
Charges Repubs Conspire
Against President for
Political Gain.

Washington, Jan. 2.-Senator
Lewis OF Illinois speaking today in
the senate, charged Republican
eaders with coDspiring Tor poll
teal purposes. TO discredit Presi-
Il aent Wilson abroad, TO thwart his
Il purposes by giving European ne
sotlators the impression that the
4 senate opposed his plans, and by
deceiving the American public
4 Their object. he declared, IS 20
prevent the president from ac-
Complishing anything"
The speech was in reply to ut
terances of Senators Lodge of Mas
sachusetts, and Knox OF Pennsyl-
ania. both Republicans, criticizing
q certain of the presidents fourteen
q prin ciples of peace, and urging that
Il consideration of league of nations.
Freedom of the seas and other QueS-
lions be deferred until after the
III peace conference.
n. Shows Republican Conspiracy.
Eli The concurring assaults by GER
Ell #faiaN4aders of the Republican side
III upon Everything that President
III Wilson has attempted in Europe"
#said Senator Lewis, ''discloses as
charge, a conspiracy to discredir
II ilim aud to defeat any design he en-
tiers upon by giving the European
#negotiators to understand that the
#aenate is opposed to the president.
FL that it objects to his measures and
that it is speaking with the power
q revise, reverse and repudIate
#him."
III Senator Lewis declared the SEN
late had nothing whatever TO do
with what the president is now do
ing in presenting the protocol for
Hpeace and the adjustment of the
III disposition of the armies"
W5,son Not Bound By Law.
Il inform the European negotia.-
Ell .ors and the world" he said, thai
# here is no law of America. by con-
E5titution, statute or custom by
(which the president is under any
# obligation 70 submit what he is nov
# ioing to the senate OF to any other
55ranch OF the Legislative or execu-
Ell i've body.
II inform the negotiatOTs as |
IL all those interested, that present
AtYhited States are as command
stkhief of the American armies.
itains such full power as
A1der in chief until the full
tasS or compact of peace has
Fl II finally accepted and peace de
I'll A1ared and the armies withdraw
IS a result of that acceptance.
Drawing a distinction between
IL 10 hy- hn
# cad of the civil government and
# lfter the war has ended and the
&haking of peace by protocol or
greements, the senator said, under
Ell ne latter condition the president
eryes as commander in chief agree
Ell ng upon terms of peace for the
purpose of Withdrawing the armies,
# nd in doing so. executes the au-
Fiji bority of the law and OF the people
# ested in him as executive ana
#thoIIy apart from the interference,
ne opposition, the approval or re
ri udiation of the senate
G. O. p. Plan Means New War.
Senators Lodge and Knox we're
harged with being inconsistent in
#heir views The Illinois senator
- a league of nations and freedom ,
Mseas would mean that the war
cen fought in vain and would
about a repetition of the
gle.
Each nation with claims and
III rinciples at stake he continued.
having no method existing through .
#khich it can secure peace and OF .
- Ef-fI to hn n-Ix
hethod left and which has just been
Seek TO Show Chief Failed.
Ell In Justice to the distinguished
Ell hnators they do not mean that
smerica should enter upon sucn a
# #bwardly course. They are only
uxious TO secure the abandonment
L the demand for the present, that
might BE charged against Wilson
& nat he failed in securing the only
#hiug of material worth for which
# he nation fought and her children
led. Then as a political cry 20
#jme forth proclaiming that the Re
Ell hbIican senate to be constituted
fter the December session will un-
# sartake the remedyiug of this
Ell rong. and make the presidential
sue upon the charge of perfidy
xainst our president and infamy
Ell gainst oCr party.
Al Inl closing. Senator Lewis said
# le country must see the emptiness
- kese protests, the want of sub
rs in the criticisms and urged
support for the president
e is on foreign soil, con
for the supremacy OF the
Tilted States"