Evening star., 1919-02-20
MR.. .FESSSCORES
LEAGUE ADVOCATES
Hostile to Spirit of U. S. In
stitutions, Ohio Repre-
sentative Says.
CITES HIS OBJECTIONS

Advocates OF the league OF nations
are hostile to the spirit of United States
institutions, according to Representa-
tive Fess of Ohio. He said that "as
soon as the American people grasp the
vicious possibilities included there will
be revolution of sentiment against any
one who thus proposes TO surrender the
future OF this republic to a vote of foreign
nations He added that one of the
principal objections to the league plan
was that it made possible five votes for
the United Kingdom against one for
the United States.
The executive council" said Rep
resentative Fess, .is to be limited to
United States. France. Great Britain,
Italy and Japan, and one each from
four other states to be selected by
the body of delegates. The decisions
of each body, delegates or executive
| council are by majority vote.
Alleges Power Above o. S.
NO matter how much the people of
the United States may wish to avoid
mixing in European or Asiatic politics
any FIVE of the nine members can fix
| the responsibility upon this country.
| Moreover, any group of five of the
nine can fix the character of our de-
fensive program in the question of
! the size of armament"
''Most Dangerous Feature"
! Mr.. Fess said the most dangerous
| feature OF the proposed constitution
| was the provision which would make
! the United States a constituent part
| of a league which would exercise
| supreme authority through a body of
| dele gates, without name or number,
! each of whom would have equal
authority in all matters which would
come before it affecting this country.
This nation should never under any
circumstances surrender it's sover
eighty on any questions which pertain
to it's future welfare to vote of a
| league made up of an indeterminate
number of countries whose major in
! terests cannot be expected to be iden-
/ tical with our own.
| Mr.. Fess declared that once the
United States had agreed to the pro
posed league it would not have the
! power to compel changes in the con-
| stitution for its benefit.
/ Criticises Treaty Abrogation.
| Mr.. Fess criticised articles of the
| league constitution, which, he said.
required abrogation Of existing trea-
ties inconsistent with the league
| charter.
This means IL a treaty now exists
| between US and Japan, inconsistent
with the iudgent of the, league, as
expressed by any five of the nine. it
must be abrogated" said Mr.. Fess.
'The question of European immigra-
| tion also will fall under this author
| ity. and our laws of limita ton incon-
sistent with what q ma ajoriAy of this
/ league shall find must be abrogat ted
| Fears for Merchant Marine.
| can we be sure that questions of
! an American merchant marine will
I not fall under q vote of European
countries which, quite naturally, will
prefer to keep the monopoly of this
particular activity?
| Mr. Fess also objected to article q
! of the constitution, which, he said.
would give the league certain powers
over the commerce of the nations
which composed 1t.
! The moment this authority is
granted we will hear democratic free
| trade politicians demand that all pro-
tective legislation be repealed, on the
| standard not reached by Europe is
ton, because by this covenant we have
may have had to the findings of the
responsible party"