Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1919-05-29
ARKANSAS SENATOR
HOLDS LEAGUE IS
CONSISTENT
Declares Opponents Wage
Campaign of Misrepre-
SentatiOn.

of nations was supported as logical
and practical organism, entirely con-
sistent with the American constltu-
ton, by Senator Robinson, democrat,
of Arkansas, in speech today in the
senate. Opponents of the league, the
senator charged, are making cam
paign of misrepresentation setting
up flimsy objections that the propos-
ed covenant violates American tradi
tions. The covenant, he asserted in no
way impaired national sovereignty
or subverts American constitutional
principles.
1.-The objection that the league of
nations treaty creates super-gov-
eminent is without foundation" said
Mr.. Robinson. at can take no action
in any important controversy with
out the consent Of the United States.
It's powers are advisory. BY the
treaty it becomes the common agent
of the signatory powers to promote
cooperation and peace.
1t is our agent, not our master"
Replying directly to the constitu-
tional objections raised by Senator
Sherman, republican, of Illinois, and
other league opponents, the Arkan-
sas senator said the same objections
applied with equal force to many
treaties entered into by the nation in
the past, and which had been sound,
practical and beneficial.
Not Unconstitutional.
"A treaty is not unconstitutional"
he asserted, "merely because it con-
tains agreements the execution of
which requires the exercise of pow
ers vested by the constitution exclu-
sively in the executive and legislative
branches of the government. To de-
clare that no treaty can be made
which requires legislative action to
execute it, or which pledges the gov
eminent to do something exclusively
within the power of the executive,
would nullify a large majority of the
treaties heretofore entered into by
the United States and render the
government powerless to maintain
foreign relations.
"Under the constitution the sole
power to appropriate moneys is in
vested in congress. Nevertheless, we
have made many treaties obligating
the government to the payment of
sums agreed in the treaties, due for
eign nations or their citizens.
''The sole power to levy taxes is
vested in congress. Many treaties
have been made obligating the gov
eminent to impose certain rates on
exports and to collect specified rates
on imports. Treaties of reciprocity
have been negotiated with foreign
nations involving mutual rates to be
levied on commerce. Such treaties re-
quire legislation by congress to put
them into operation, but they are not
for that reason.
Has Made Pledges.
"The United States has already en-
tered into many treaties pledging
itself not to engage in war against
certain foreign nations until the ex-
piration of a definite period, and it
has also agreed by treaty to settle
many disputes by arbitration. Not
withstanding such agreements, con-
gress still has the power to declare
war.
with respect to the allegation
that the mandatory provision is in
conflict with the constitution, the
only question of constitutional ma
ture arising, is whether the United
States is forbidden to govern or
assist in the government of other
countries. There is no question under
the revised draft of compelling the
United States to act as mandate.
The language clearly and expressly
makes it optional.
GAS early as 1916 the United
States gained the sovereignty of New
Granada over the Isthmus of Panama.
BY the treaty of 1903 we agreed to
maintain the independence of the re-
public of Panama. In 1916 the United
States by treaty gained the independ-
enee of Santo Domingo and agreed to
assist in the administration of it's
affairs. The declaration often made
that article 10 authorizes the execu-
tive council to involve the world in
war in its execution is absurd. The