The sun., 1919-07-30
LEAGUE WILL
NOT END WAR,
SAYS THOMAS
Democratic Senator Warns
That Covenant Runs
Counter to Trade.
TREATIES SOON BROKEN
Supposed Ardent supporter
Says Pact and Peace Terms
Conflict.
Special Despatch to Tun SUI.

(Colo.), without attacking the League
OF Nations covenant but by an analy-
sis Of the proposed league in the light
Of history and the present situation
throughout the world, delivered one
Of the most paralyzing blows yet suf-
fered by the Presidents followers in
this fight.
Until yesterday Mr.. Thomas conf
IDENTIFY was counted among the faithful
Democratic adherents Of the league
scheme. Following his conference
then with President Wilson 1t became
apparent that his own convictions and
scruples would guide him rather than
any thought Of party fealty or politi-
ical expediency. This impression was
more than justified to-day when the
Senator summed up his views in these
words:
WARS cannot be averted by any
plans, leagues, or precautions, unless
the minds Of men become averse to
war; and / am unable to accept the
theory that men can be made merci-
full. wise. and moderate; that their
ambitions can be stified and their jeal-
ousies curbed by treaty regulation"
French Speech Abridged.
Senator Thomas was not the only
speaker on the league to-day. Sem
ator Gay tLa.) delivered a typical de-
Tense at some length, and Senator
France (Md.) charged that the espion-
age law was being made use OF in
some parts of the country to prevent
free discussion Of the league scheme
and the peace treaty provisions.
'Tt IL the apparent purpose Of the
Administration" he said. "to foist this
scheme upon the people by a well
thought out campaign. cleverly com
bining Propaganda with repression
In certain cities It is impossible to
hold a public meeting without the
permission Of the police"
Senator France submitted a copy Of n
permi granted by Superintendent Rob-
inson sf the Philadelphia police for a
meeting against the league. The per-
init was granted, It was stated. on the
condition that the utterance of all the
speeches would conform to the. procia-
mations issued by the President prohib-
iting reasonable or seditious utterances.
The Senator from Maryland also pre-
scented a statement from the Reviep, a
publication In New York, of July &c
that the Century Company had been in
formed by a representative of the De-
partment Of Justice that action would 20
brought to prevent the further printing
and distribution of Thomas F. Millard's
Democracy and the Eastern Question"
because of confidential matter 1t con-
tanned.
'If the purposes of this treaty are
compatible with our national traditions
and purposes. why must its proponents
use methods which are out Of harmony
with the spirit of free institutions and
violate the specific provisions written
into the Constitution Of our country by
the fathers?' asked Senator France.
Trade Skaters Peace Dreams.
Senator Thomas told the Senate that
the dream of permanent peace had been
striven for since the emergence of men
from tribal life and thar every war had
closed with treaties bristling with rigid
guarantees designed to make peace per-
manent, but that invariably nations
again had absorbed themselves in the
more prosaic and profitable pursuits OF
Of trade. industry and politics.
Rivalries and commercial competition
soon reappear. he said, and the pathway
of history els strewn with a dreary pro-
cession Of treaties and alliances evolved
from the bitter experiences of war and
suffering. christened with a benedictio.i
OF their authors, but foredoomed to fall
ure by the operation OF the causes which
made their negotiation imperative"
The Senator warned his colleagues OF
the magnitude and serious nature OF the
task confronting them In dealing with
the peace treaty with the League en-
bodied IN II, and added
I'VE are confronted at the threshold
with the inquiry whether the grateful
assumption so confidently and constantly
made and SO widely accepted that this
treaty is a practical guarantee Of per-
manent peace Is justified. II 1t may be
sustained, even with some qualifications.
our task would be Hghtened materially
by the balancing of results with cove
nants OF dubious expediency. II 1t will
not bear the scrutiny of analysis we still
may conclude to accept the treaty. but
freed from the influence of sentiment
which may prove iliusory and disap-
pointing. We are legislating, II is said
for all time and we cannot bow to pre-
diction how exalted SO ever It's source
unless we be very sure Of its basic value. y
Doubts wisdom of Punishment.
Turning to history as the best prophet
Of the future. Senator Thomas demon
strated that neither morals nor religion
had kept the world at peace that the
benign influences of Christianity were at
noodtide when the world war started.
He seriously doubted, also, II the pun
ishment of those responsible for the war
would have the benefit claimed for IL
He cited the mistake of Great Britain in
banishing Napoleon which resulted in
GROWING him with the Immortality OF
martyrdom.
II would not mitigate II could the
crimes OF Wilhelm H." said Senator
Thomas me human tribunal can exact
adequate expiation for them, but / be-
lieve that his trial. conviction and pun
iehment will accomplish only what Eng
land accomplished with Bonaparte.
ssrhe influence OF a martyred Kaiser