Evening journal., 1919-02-26
2AYSLEAGUE DRAFT
DEGRADES AMERICA
ant Peace, But Not at
Cost of Liberty, Cum
minis Says
SUBSTITUTE PLAN
is SUGGESTED
BY tho United Press.

FopuldI ulsdpprONdl OF tne pfOpostu
league OF nations was forecast by Ssna-
TOR Cummlns, Ia, today in a speech TO
The Senate. He offered a substitute
plan which he said Is the "lnternatlon-
al compact which the American people
are waiting, hoping and praying for"
Cummins described the Paris consti-
tuition as the most destructive, un-
Just and reaetlonary proposal which
was ever submitted 10 a patriotic and
intellisent people"
''When the citizens Of the United
states thoroughly grasp the meaning
Of the proposed agreement and fai-ly
understand its Inevitable conse-
quences." Cummlns declared, 1T will
be rejected in a storm OF oblinuv the
like OF which has never been witnessed
within the BORDERS Of the r-public."
He then outlined the following plan,
which he said. would meet the hopes
OF the American people:
1. All nations should agree 10 sottle
disputes by arbitration or abdlcatlon
and agree without reserve to abide by
the award o. judsment.
.. All nations should agree that
IN all other International disputes that
war should not be made until some
international body IN which every
member OF the LEAGUE Is represented,
shall have had a fair opportunity to
discuss It. Upon such questions there
should he no award and the sanction
should be confined 10 the moral in
0uenccs awakened by free discussion.
3. 0st~acism for any nation refusing
10 submit proper controversy to judg-
ment or TO perform the judgment rem
dered or TO delay war until combined
powers have given full consideration.
I. The compact should contain
program OF disarmament.
CUMMINGS described the Paris draft
as confused and complicated"
There Is some good In IT," he adj
nitted. but added. there Is more that
bad In IL II ! were compelled 10
7te upon tha instrument as a whole
ould unhesitatingly vote against &C."
There are provisions in it which
not only degrade the spirit OF our peo-
pie, and nut 1t beyond the power Of
the republic 10 insure justice, insure
dome 'ic tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the general
welfare and secure the blessings Of
berty TO ourselves and our posterlty
nd so fulhll the initial declaration OF
ne constitution.
1t requires no close inquiry into the
entiment Of the American people 10 be
certain that there Is a universal and
pass onate desire 10 do something
10 enter into some compact-to prevent
war with all its deadly and destruc-
tive consequences.
1T Is this Overwhelming conviction
which finds expression In the tumult-
Gus applause which thrills every audi
ence as u listens to the glowing appeals
for a League OF Nations.
Il cannot believe, however. that very
many OF these people will insist that
the overth -ow OF American institutions
5 necessary In Orde~ 70 accomplish the
henencent purnose they have IN mind
nd to attain the end they so fervently
iosire."
Some sections OF the proposed consli- |
tuition not only neut~allze the BENEFITS !
" a peaceful settlement but affirm /
atively destroy the natural structure |
and commit the United States TO a /
course which must end in humiliation /
and disaster" he said.
1T is disappointing as regards dis
armaments," Cummins added.
Il have some doubt with regard n |
our power to enter into the treaty pro- |
posed IN the Paris constitution. a doubt /
arising from the universally and dura- |
ton Of the Obligation we are asked to /
assume he continued.
I'VE are solen My asked that tse /
boundaries Of nations as they now exist
M as they will exist when the peace /
conference has re-drawn the may OF /
Europe, Asia. Africa and Oceanla shall /
remain without change forever"
Cummins attacked provisions regard /
ing mandatories as 'the climax OF the /
surrender"
This article is not only bad in e.
self. but Q Is the zrOssest violation ~ 4
our powers under the constitution that /
has ever fallen under my observation /
He illustrated by applying the prin-
ciple to Turkey.
'JJnduestionably. we have the right /
TO acquire territory by conquest and /
lt 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 a foot
Of It's soil.
ut Is to be assumed that II the man.
late for the government or tutelage
Of Turkey is given to the United states
we will perform our mission with our |
own men and our own money. Anyone /
who has even casual knowledge Of the /
conditions prevailing In the Turkish /
empire knows that the maintenance and /
lhe enforcement Of the laws and for |
he tutelage which will accompany the /
.ndeavOr will require an army OF more
Than a hundred thousand for many
Yeas TO come.
The civil service employees in Con-
stantnople VIII outnumber our en-
ployes in WASHINGTON It IL safe 10
assume that the annual cost Of this en-
terprise will exceed a billion dollars.
Il Is all too absurd 10 contemplata 4
When the American people reflect upon
such a proposal, they will reject Il +
with all the emphasis OF unsnimity."
Japan, Cummns, explained. would
have the right TO refer 10 the executive
council reoardine discrimination against
her citizens bv the United States.
Ultimately the LEAGUE wonld make ma
tions as unimportapt as States In our
Federal government Cummins said.
ut Is the creation OF world nation
and II observed It win draw 10 the
executive council and body Of delegates
so msny Of the vital powers OF the
government that the remainder will be-
come as unimportant as the jurisdiction
OF thf states in the American union as
comrt~ red with the jurisdiction OF the
Fedci eovernment.
~ Ieve IL possible 20 DO everything
thsf N be done TO prevent war with
or hsferring 10 foreign power the