The Washington times., 1919-02-26
CUMMINS OFFERS
NEW LEAGUE PACT
CONTINUED from First Page.)

Continued from First Page.)
OF Nations, Cummins proposed a sub
stitute plan which he says he believes
the nation could accept with honor
and without surrender of any part Of
its sovereignty
His plan is as follows:
FiTst-All nations should agree to
settle justiciable disputes by arbitra-
ton, or adjudication, and agree with
out reserve to abide by the award or
Judgment.
Second-All nations should agree
that in all other international dis
putes that war should not be made
until some international body, in
which every member of the league is
represented, shall have had a fair op-
portunity to discuss it. Upon such
questions there should be no award
and the sanction should be confined
to the moral influences awakened by
free discussion.
Third-Ostracism for any nation
refusing to submit a proper contro-
versy to judgment or to perform the
judgment rendered or to delay war
until combined powers have given full
consideration.
Fourth-The compact should con-
tain a program of disarmament.
Paris Covenant "COnfusing"
Senator CGmmins described the
Paris draft as confused and COM
plicated."
There is some good in it," he ad-
mitted, but added, there is more that
is bad in it. If 1 were compelled to
vote upon the instrument as a whole
1 would unhesitatingly vote against
Il nj
the sentiment of the American people
to be certain that there is a universal
and passionate desire to do some
thing-to enter into some compact
to prevent war with all its deadly and
destructive consequences.
'There are provisions in it which
not only degrade the spirit of our
people, but put it beyond the power
of the republic to establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide
for the common defense, promote the
general welfare and secure the bless
ings of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity, and so fulfill the initial dec
Iaration of the constitution
at is this overwhelming conviction
which finds expression in the tumul-
tuous applause which thrills every
audience as it listens to the glowing
/
81 cannot believe, however, that
very many of these people will insist
that the overthrow Of American in
stitutions is necessary in order to ac-
complish the beneficent purpose they
have in mind and to attain the end
| they so fervently desire"
Some sections Of the proposed con-
stitutiOn not only neutralize the ben
efits OF a peaceful settlement, but "af-
! frmatively destroy the national
structure and commit the United
States to a course which must end in
humiliation and disaster" he said.
DIsapPOInts As to Armament.
1t is disappointing as regards dis
| armament, Cummins added.
81 have some doubt with regard to
our power to enter into the treaty
| proposed in the Paris constitution, a
doubt arising from the universally
and duration Of the obligation We are
asked to assume" he continued.
1--WE are soIemnly asked to guaran-
| tee that the boundaries OF nations as
! they now exist, or as they will exist
when the Peace Conference has re-
drawn the map OF Europe, Asia, Afrt-
| ca and Oceania shall remain without
! change forever"
! Attacks nandatOries.
He also attacked provisions re-
garding mandatories as 'the climax
! of the surrender"
This article Is not only bad in
itself but it is the grossest violation
! of our powers under the Constitution
that has ever fallen under my OBJ
| servation."
He illustrated by applying the
| principle to Turkey.
| "CnquestiOnably, we have the right
to acquire territory by conquest, and
| il is just as clear that we have the
right to acquire it by purchase, but
we have not conquered the Turkish
territory, nor have we paid for foot
of its soil.
! at is to be assumed that il the
| mandate for the government. oc
tuteIage. Of Turkey is given to the
! United States we will perform oul
mission with our own men and our
own money. Anyone who has even
! casual knowledge of the condition
prevailing in the Turkish empire
knows that the maintenance of order
and the enforcement of the laws and
! for the tutelage which will accom-
| pany the endeavor will require ar
! army of more than 100000 men foI
/ MANY years to come. The civil serv'
ice employees in COnstantinople viii
outnumber our employees in Wash
ington IT is safe to assume that The
annual cost Of this enterprise will ex.
coed a billion dollars. 1t is all TO.
absurd TO contemplate. When thj
American people reflect upon such :
proposal they will reject it with al
the emphasis of unanimity.'
The japanese Question.
Japan, Cummins. explained, would
lhave the right to refer TO the execu.
tive council regarding Discrimination
against her citizens by the Un:tct
States.
| Ultimately. the league would make
nations rs unimportant AS states il
our Federal Government, Senator
iCumminS said.
81 am no advocate OF isolation
Don't forget TINT victory must b'
paid for nud that our war expense
did not cease when actual fiEhIinG
ceased. Keep your War SnVinEi
pledge and buy more w. =. :.