The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-02
A BIG WAR TRUST
Thus Senator johnson AsSaiIs
the League of Nations.
Californian Declares "0pen
Diplomacy" Now a Joke.
U. S. IN BANKRUPT" FIRM
Says One Going Concern I'm
perils Her Financial Position.
Declares Monroe Doctrine VIII
Be Administered by League.
U. S. IN BANKRUPT" FIRM

Washington, June 2.-Assailing the
league of nations as a combination
of armed powers lin a gigantic war
trust" Senator Johnson, Republican,
of California, told the senate today
that the Paris conference dared not
amend the league covenants so that
the declaration of future wars would
be decided, not by established rulers,
but by a popular vote of the peoples
concerned.
1T is not league of nations to
prevent war" he asserted In its very
creation, it has been stripped of every
idealistic purpose it ever had. 1t con-
ta1ns within itself the germs of many
wars, and worse than that, it riyets,
as in the Shantung decision, the
chains of tyranny upon millions of
people and cements for all time IN
just and wicked annexations 1t is a
great world economic trust wherein
few men, sitting in secret, may con-
troll the economic destinies of peoples.
1t is not league of peoples. nor does
1t anywhere concern itself with peo-
pies.
People Have No Voice.
INSTEAD of coming closer to those
most concerned. the men and women
for whom government should exist,
the league goes a step farther from
powers sit far away in secret. II those
who wrote this document really want
ed to prevent war, they would have
permitted the men and women who
must bear the burdens of war to de-
termine by their votes whether or not
there should be war
The answer is that this is not
league to promote peace but to pro-
tect power. Those who advocate it
dare not amend it so that the issue
OF war shall be made by the men and
women who must fight and die for it,
Urging adoption of his resolution
asking the state department for the
full text of the peace treaty. Senator
johnson read into the record the oft
quoted utterances of President Wilson
regarding open diplomacy"
Open Covenants a Joke.
open covenants openly arrived at"
continued the senator, ARE now a by
word and a joke. Their mention
brings but cynical smile.
When you remember that England
frankly says her treaties are yet in ex-
| istence, her offensive and defensive
alliance with Japan yet controlling,
and then you observe the United
States making some sort of engage
present We are denied. you will have
| some conception of what the league of
| nations is intended to do"
The revised covenant Mr.. johnson
continued, lar from preserving the
| Monroe doctrine, would means its de-
struction. He declared the league
| would be a partnership between the
| worlds one great going concern" and
| bankrupt nations. and charged that
| government propaganda was discred-
| iting league opponents By the Paris
! negotiations, he said. the United States
has made many powerful enemies.
| 1t is rare indeed. he asserted, that
| any speech is made in favor of the
| league which does not bitterly con-
! denim Americans who think of their
| own country first. For the first time
in our history the jealous guarding of
| our own, the love of our traditions and
our institutions. the passion for our
land and our liberty have become ven
| ial sins.
| Attitude Toward c. S.
ION the 18th of November, America,
as no nation on earth ever had been
before, was respected, revered and be-
| loved. After six months of meddling
| and muddling in European and Asiatic
| controversies and contests over terri
| tory. the end OF the peace conference
finds Italy detesting US. France Sc
cretly despising us, England using us,
and Japan bluffing US.
They are all willing and anxious
| that we should have our league of
| nations, and willing and anxious be-
| cause of the same spirit which has
| ruled them in the peace conference.
The one going solvent concern ma
tionally is about to enter into partner
| ship with certain national bankrupts.
We give of our assets, both moral and