The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-03-28
FIGHT ON LEAGUE:
| SEEMS TO WEAKEN
Changes in Covenant Cause
Shift in Senatorial
Opinion
SAFEGUARDING OF
| MONROE DOCTRINE
Likely to Remove Opposition of Sever
al Standardization Made That
Final Covenant Will Receive Rati-
fication in Spite of Opponents.

WASHINGTON, March 23,-An appre-
ciable shift of sentiment among senator's
who have voiced disapproval of the league
Of nations has been in evidence during the
last few days. Cabled reports of changes
made in the draft of the league 'constitu-
ton have had the effect of dissipating a
considerable part OF the opposition,
One thing that has affected the attitude
of those who have stood out against the
league as being lnimical to the sovereign
! ty of the United States has been the re-
| ported agreement among the peace con-
1erees to insert a clause protecting the
integrity of the Monroe Doctrine DEM
ocratic senators like King of Utah, Tn.
derwood of Alabama and Banllhead of
| Alabama, who have opposed any league
that does not safeguard the Monroe Doe
trine, will be able to support it, if the
Paris eonferees put through the program
outlined in the dispatches.
/ Senator King has expressed himself as
/ gratiied at the changes made in the league
i constitution, saying they would make it
4 possible for him to withdraw the opposi-
tion he had felt impelled to undertake
against the league,
THE amendments made at Paris in the
last few days remove the principal OBJ
jections of the opponents of the league
of nations, said Senator King IF the
amendments as drawn up are accepted,
shall vote for the league project when it
comes up in the senate. | could not have
done so with the, league constitution in
its original form.
To my mind, the chief obstacle against
accepting the league has been removed
by the clause to protect the Monroe Doc
trine. The fear that the Monroe Doctrine
would be upset by the league was in the
minds of the people of this country, and
do not believe they would have couu
tenanced any league that would endangeI
it. The integrity of the Monroe Doctrine
will be guaranteed by the amendment of
fered by the American delegates, and, a.
exported, accepted by the delegates iron
the other nations.
j Another important amendment is thai
which provides that there shall be no ees
I sion or sale of territory in the Unitet
States TO any non-American state Tina
runs in with the Monroe doctrine AM
tends to strengthen it Guarantees ar
4 given also, in the control OF nations do
mestic affairs. This is a vitally importan
amendment. 1t will affect the immigra
ton question and other matters of pure
" domestic import.
Altogether the amendments pu
through within the last few days. as til
ieabled reports outlined them, appear t
: meet the fundamental opposition to til
| league as expressed in this country. Pres
ident Wilson evidently has impressed III
Paris delegates with the justice of tn
claims put forth by the critics OF tn
league here
d As a result of the amendments to tn
league covenant the senator's at the cap
: itol voiced the belief that the leagu
would be accepted by the senate as
part of the peace treaty if it should com
Il in that form. The Paris conferees. i
! was stated, have met the chief objection
4 of Senator Lodge and the IS others wht
signed the resolution placed before tht
senate the night of adjournment Will
Z the resolution expressed the sentiment o
thc senator's signing it that the leagu
ought to be considered apart from tn
n treaty Of peace, it is felt that, with tll
amendments now made or about to b
3 made, removing the basic features tina
! aroused opposition, there will not be an!
4 great difficulty in getting the sneeessar.
two-thirds vote. That is the talk at tn
& capitol.
Senator Boral and certain other lie
publieans will oppose the league in an
form, and it is expected that Senator
Reed. Gore. and others aligned with then
& on the Democratic side will also Bu
3 less bitter opponents. such as Spencer Q
Missouri, Kellogg of Minnesota, Nelson 0
Minnesota. and AIcCunber Of North Da
kota. are expected to swing into line 70
il the lnanlle