Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-07-01
LEAGUE FEASIBLE
Protection For U. S.
Rights Says Gerry

NeTso fNUeTiSaU sovereignty VT
Polieiss-says Europe 10 Pinnins
Main Hope On Us-Attaeks Roots
Suggestions
Washington. June 30-Describing
the League of Nations as a workable
plan to marshal the civilized ma
tons against such acts Of aggression
as Germany and Austria perpetrated
in. this war;" Senator Gerry. Demo-
crat, Rhode Island. told the Senate
today that: acceptance of the League
covenant was an absolute necessity
to protect American rights and pre-
serve civilization during the recon-
struction period.
Predicating his argument upon OBJ
servations during a visit to England,
France and Belgium, he said the
people of Europe were pinning hope
of better era upon a faith that the
United States would take the lead in
a league to prevent war. He an.
alyzed the league covenant and de-
clared It contained nothing ,subvert-
ing American sovereisntxs. nor de-
stroying American policies.
'"The real question" he@said, sis
whether we believe that it is better
from the United States to have a
say in European matters and thus
try to prevent another horrible war
or to keep our hands off and wait
until the world is afiame and then
endeavor to assert our might to pro-
tect our rights.
I'm one case we have a hand in
shaping the destinies of mankind.
In the other we suffer the conse-
quences which are likely to come
from an uncomfortable situation in
Europe.
For four years Europe has passed
through an era of hoArors, depriva-
tons and bfoodshed that has shaken
the very foundations of our civiliza-
ton. All nations have enormous war
debts and heavy taxes to pay, and
many of the necessities Of life are
procured with difficulty. America is
looked to as the main hope. The
people of western Europe went
through all this terrible period and
kept their heads, because they be-
lieved that there was a better time
coming to them. 1t is this spirit
kthat is the foundation, in my judy
nfe1lt@o the support that President
Wilson has received for his League
of Nations"
Deploring PARTISAN consideration OF
the league proposal, Mr.. Gerry said:
MANY prominent Republicans in my
state have expressed the hope that
might be able to lend my support q
the adoption Of this covenant"
The recommendations of Elihu RSot
for Incorporation of reservations in the
ratification were based, the Rhode Isl.
and senator asserted. on a misconcep-
ton. Referring TO Mr.. Roots asser-
ton that withdrawal from league men,
bership was handicapped by the pro-
vision that all obligations must be full
filled before withdrawal, he aid
ut is inconceivablsf hat thu United
States would think oks,VtthdQ Efns
less It SelAfulfilled il AoDhkae %.
S The provision for limitation aef a.
tents. he asserted. imposed no. moral
obligation on any nation to adopt the
suggestions of the league council re-
garding armament. He declared article
10 was only an agreement to prevent
external aggression such as Germany
was guilty of. and added: ,et.s;as..
zone cannot forget tts3ttw have
never been forced into war under the
Monroe Doctrine. which is practically
an assertion Of similar condition limited
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