Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-02-18
Senator Declines Invitation
to Conference on
Nation League.
DECLINES TO ENTER
SECRET MEETING
Refuses to Be Bound by Silence on
Important Subject on Which Hs
Differs So Radically With Mr.. Will
son-President Enjoying Rest on
Board Ship, Enforced by Physician
Ship Runs Into Warm Weather.

Washington, Feb. Ex-senator Borah.
| of Idaho. has asked to be excused
/! from attending the dinner at the
! White House at which President Will
son will discuss with members OF the
] foreign relations committee of con-
gress the constitution of the proposed
league OF nations.
| In a letter to Secretary Tumulty
Senator Borah said it was the custom
| to hold in confidence any information
received at such gathering. and that
he was not willing to be bound by
silence on such an important subject,
on %hch he and the president dis
agreed fundamentally. He added that
nothing could make him agree with
the constitution Of the league as IL
now stood.
White House officials said no other
member Of the committee had declin-
ed the presidents invitation. and that
| il was understood all the others. would
accept.
On receiving the Idaho senator's let
ter today, Secretary Tumulty imme-
diately transmitted by wireless to
President Wilson, on board the George
washington on his way home from
France.
Others Accept Reluctantly.
Senator Borah is one Of a group or
| senators. which includes some demo-
| Gratis as we'll as republicans, who op-
y - 80 ;rfo inna liZAtlOn
and whose opposition to the league as
proposed has been regarded as 2 Tore
gone conclusion.
( Several republican members OF the
senate committee stated privately to-
day that they would not regard them-
selves bound by confidence and tnat
they would accept the presidents IN
vitation with reluctance. senator
Fall Of New Mexico. is the only minor
ity member who is not in Washing
ton.
The dinner has been arranged for
Wednesday evening. Feb. 26. day or
two after the president lands at
Boston.
Debate in the senate, which has
been expected to break out. at any
moment in spite Of the presidents re-
quest that it be withheld until after
his meeting with the committeeman,
will begin tomorrow.
Senator PoindeXter Of Washington,
republican, gave formal notice that ne
would speak tomorrow, and Senator
Borah and several others are prepar-
ing to speak. Senator Borah plans to
speak Thursday.
Rorah Gives RAasons
Senator Borah's letter follows:
II greatly appreciate your note
honoring me with an invitation to
! meet the president Feb 2e to discuss
the league Of nations-a matter OF
most vital concern to the whole coun-
try. Meetings atthe White House, ac-
,cording to Song standing custom, are
always regarded as Sstrictly conn
Dental upon the part Of the guests.
"This meeting, take 1t, would he
regarded as especially confidential.
Otherwise the president would have
! spoken according to his custom to the
open senate. The differences between
the president and myself on this
question are fundamental. am sure
no suggestion Of mine would modify
in the slightest the view Of the presi-
dent and nothing could induce me to
support this league as outlined in this
proposed constitution or anything
like 1t.
II feel, therefore, that 1t would not
be fair to the president to accept his
confidence or receive from him conh-
Dental information concerning this
subject. Neither in my view Of the
subject, could accept information
which I would not feel perfectly free
to transmit to my colleagues or use in
public debate. After much reflection
I beg, therefore, to be excused from
attending the meeting.
TN writing this note and taking this
course ! mean no personal disrespect
or disregard Of the president. i simply
| And myself in such disagreement with
him and feel so intensely concerning
the matter that can not do otherwise
than candidly advise him Of the fact
Discussion Breaks in Senate.
Discussion Of the league Of nations
developed unexpectedly in the senate
today. Senator Vardaman, OF Missis-
sippi, democrat, declared the league
was unconstitutional, and criticised
President Wilson for asking congress
to remain silent on the subject until
he returned to Washington. Senator
lvardaman spoke only few minutes
and there was no further discussion OF
the subject.
j NAss0 ~ 4 81