New-York tribune., 1919-09-06
Calling of Labor Conference
Without Considering Rati-
iication Is Disregard of
Law, Sherman Declares
Borah Hits Russia Policy
indianapolis and Columbus
Speeches Draw Spirited
+ ire Of Republicans

Wilson'S addresses to the country in
support of the peace treaty and league
OF nations evoked prompt and spirited
replies to-day from the Senate floor.
Senators Borah, of Idaho. and Sher-
man, Of Illinois, Republicans, assailed
statements by the President at Indian
apolis and Columbus. Referring to the
Presidents statement ct Indianapolis
that under the league 1--WE can mind
other peoples business" Senator
Borah criticised American military
operations in Russia. declaring such to
be "a usurpation of power" without
authority under the Constitution and
tor the purpose of aiding Japan's ST.
berlan policy.
Says Law Is Flouted
senator Sherman resented the Pres
dents assertion in Columbus that the
International labor conference author
lzed under the peace treaty would be
ned here next month regardless of
whether the Senate had ratified the
treaty by that time. The Presidents
attitude showed ''contemptuous dis
regard" of law, the Illinois Senator
peached for lesser breaches.
Next month";" said Senator Sher-
man. I'VE are notified the President
purposes to assemble in this country
the representatives OF various coun-
tries under the labor articles of a
treaty unratifed by our country. 1t is
his declared purpose to convene on
American soil q meeting OF alien gov
ernments with our own regardless Of
whether the treaty has become the
law OF this republic or not.
Limiting the laborers of this coun-
Try to the narrow definition of tho
President even, there is no land in
which the rights of labor are so lib
eral and cared for as ours. This para
graph OF the Pres ident's address is
100 per cent demagogical. 1t is an ap-
peal to the lawess, a covert invitation
10 the ever present dissatisfied, rest
less element to demand what they will.
The Pres ident has already played
with fire brands sufficiently to have
Informed him OF the danger. He has
yoked himself up with revolutionaries
so frequently as to know he cannot
check their mad race 10 the goal of
lawlessness
His open declaration that he pur-
poses to convene on American soil
governments. is a proc iamation Of law
lessness and cortemptuous disregard
OF the United States government.
Again we have one who declared 4 am
the state. Have the American pcople
gait electinr Presidents and begun to
elect kings? Public officials have been
impeached for less fragrant violation
OF the laws Of their country than this y
Borah Joins Critics
Senator Borah. Republican, of Idaho
commented on statements of the Presi-
dent in his Indianapolis speech that the
United States had developed until it
was III 4 position not only TO look after
IS own affairs, but 10 aid other ma
tions, saying:
THAT Is exactly what we are doing
n Russia pursuing a policy TO estab-
!isn by military power a governments
in Russia that will be satisfactory to
Great Britain, Japan and the United
States"
Senator Borah reiterated complaints
against what he termed Carrying on
war with Russia without formal dec
laration OF war.
ITO speak plainly. ii is q plain usur-
Patton Of power" he said. 81 believe
the American policy originated with
Japan and Great Britain TO efrcctuate
Japan's policy in Siberia.
The United States is permitting her
troops to be used to effectuatc Japan's
policy"
Senator Borah said he had received
complaints that the American soldiers
IN Russia were "demoralized virtually
TO INSANITY over hardships endured
They were conscripted. he said to fight
Germany, but "in utter disregard Of
the constitution'' were sent to Russia
and without a declaration Of war upon
Russia compelled to fight the Russian
people.
The situation in Russia is A purely
internal one, Senator Borah declared
adding:
I've are in Russia at the command
Of Japan and Great Britain" he said
"and every American soldier who loses
his life there will be victim of that
policy"
The President had no power to
keep a single american soldier IN
Russia, the Senator said, adding:
"Whle he is on his trip around the
country | want him to tell the people
BY what right he keeps them there"
Sees Plot Against Russia
The determination Of Japan and
Great Britain to set up, by force, in
Russia government satisfactory to
them, regardless of the will Of the
Russian people. Senator Rorah said
probably explained the great military
and naval programme of Japan. Great
Britain and the United States and even
the "extraordinary spectacle" of the
conversion of President Wilson and
Secretary Baker to universal military
service just when the nation was as
sured that peace was about to come
permanently through the league.
The armies thus created were to be
used under the league, he asserted, to
subjugate the millions in Russia and
in Egypt and ito take care of Ire
land, India and the other subject pco-
piles.
Senator Borah called attention to
newspaper reports that the State De-
partmcnt had been advised of a sugges-
ton from the British Government that
200, ,OOO American troops be sent to
Armenia and had disapproved the rec
ommendation of the American repre-
sentatives on the Turkish commission
that only $4,000 Americans be fur
nished.
"lf we are to furnish our portion of
troops for Russia, Armenia and those
other affairs now on and in prospect,
Mr.. Borah said, "the proposed army OF
500. 1000 men is not too large
Senator Reed. Democrat, of Mis-
souri,, interjectcd that the situation
presented "the first fruits of this
league of peace" and asked if Ameri-
cans were being enlisted especially for