The sun., 1919-02-28
WAR OR A LEAGUE Is
HITCHCOCK WARNING
Senator Tells Colleagues the
Worlds Safety Lies With
Wilson's Peace Plan.
SPEECH ALMOST THREAT
Shocks 0ldtimcrs When He
Admits the Charge of In
ternatiOnallsm.
SpeciaL DtspdtcA TO THE srN.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.--Fresh from
the remarkable interchange Of views and
interpretations Of the League Of Nations
constitution to which he had listened at
the White House last evening, Senator
Hitchcock (Neb.), Democrat and chair
man OF tho Committee on Foreign Re-
lations, gave the Senate to-day a sum-
mary Of his overnight reflections It
was the second speech In cordial support
or the League OF Nations project to
which the Senate thus far has had OPP
portunity to listen. The other was de-
livered by Senator James Hamilton Lewis
on the day of the Presidents arrival in
Boston. Senator Hitchcocks address
opened with rhetorical question which
carried with IL a threat
Which shall II be--war and prepara-
tlon for war, or League of Nations?"
Senator Hitchcock asked. Those arc
the alternatives" he continued
The Nebraskan followed up In an ar
gument which disclosed an almost COM
plete acceptance OF the Presidents pro-
sramme as outlined to the visiting legis-
lators and the conviction apparently en-
tertained by him that the League Of
Nations constitution must bc ratified BY
all the signatory nations II the future
history OF the world is to be free from
the crimson chronicles of war.
Continuing Senator Hitchcock said:
Calls Colleagues Narrow.
Senators who critlclse the
League OF Nations and who mag
Nifty its difficulties and dangers
seem disposed to Ignore the alterna-
tlves. What II we have no League
be signed becomes like other peaces
that have been entered into
merely a truce when each nation OF
the world proceeds 10 prepare IT.
self for the next war;
That Inevitably means re-
sumption OF war preparations on an
increased scale"
Senator Hitchcock admitted that the
proposal for such a league OF nations
az that provided by the recently suh-
mitted constitution was the first step
toward internatlonal'sm. He met the
Republican charge that participation in
such a league was the reltnauishment
OF Americanism as the guiding spirit
or the nation in favor OF International
ism with the frank admission that this
was decentralization.
The admission profoundly shocked the
senate. Older war horses of the De-
mocracy raised their brows in surprise
as the admission was pronounced. Sem
ator Hitchcock said:
Il have observed as far as this
discussion has gone that most Sena-
tors who oppose this League OF Ma
lions would oppose any League OF
Nations. They bubble and split
hairs. enormously masnifying the
sacrifices OF the United states In
tpf IA
United States were giving I'm every
thing and getting nothing from its
benefits.
Sees Interna ttonaiism on Way.
Two OF my eloquent colleagues
attack II as form OF International
ism. They object to International
ism. They are too late 1nterna-
tionalisn has come or IL coming,
and we must choose between the In
ternationalism OF Justice and honor
ana peace and mutual support be-
tween the nations OF tho world and
the in;ernationalism OF the socialist.
the anarchist, the Bolshevist
Humanity will not long tolerate
condition OF international wars
over questions between governments
that oan he settled by peaceful
methods along the lines OF justice
ana reason"
The material benefits Of such an as
sured permanency OF peace as the pro.
posed League Of Nations might grant
furnished a considerable part OF the ar
sument advanced by Senator Hitchcock
lie asserted
Undoubtedly " this covenant can
be carried out in good faith Il will
have an enormous effect not only In
reducing the dangers OF war but in
reducing also the burdens OF Gov
eminent to every country N the
world. II will save the United
States hundreds Of millions OF dol
lars a year--probahly thousands OF
millions OF dollars during the next
decade"
Batters at Opposition.
Item by item Senator Hitchcock tried
TO batter down the arguments OF tho
Senators who have spoken in opposition