Evening star., 1919-04-14
Senator Poindexter Still
Objects to League; Urges
u. S. to Join the Entente

IN response 10 telegram OF inquiry
sent to Senator Miles Poindexter. now
iA Spokane. Wash. asking him for an in
terview on the terms of the league Of
nations covenant as officially published
Sunday morning in the newspapers. the
following signed statement has been re-
ceived:
"Spokane, Wash, April 14.-Regard-
ing the reported amendments to the
league OF nations constitution as cabled
from Paris yesterday would state:
First, If the provision for a unani-
nous vote includes the votes Of parties
to an international dispute, requiring
their agreement on any action, of course,
the league Is meaningless and powerless,
as the agreement makes action Of the
league unnecessary. If the parties to
the dispute are not allowed to vote then
their vital affairs are under the control
OF an alien tribunal in which they have
no voice, a total surrender of sovereignty
n to such matters.
Second, the provision that a mem
Der can only withdraw after two
years notice, and then only when the
league has decided that it's obliga-
lions have been performed, puts the
member nations forever under the
control and discretion of the league.
"Fatal" 'sUnconstitutional"
third, the amendments provide
that the Army or Navy of the men,
ber nation, when the status of the
Same has once been hxed by the
league. cannot be increased without
the permission Of the league This is
fatal provision and wholly uncon-
stftutional.
Fourth. the consideration and vote
by the commission on the question of
immigration shows the assumption
by the league of Jurisdiction of this
soIx t.
importance to the nation and partic-
u1arly to the Pacific coast. The ac-
ton OF the commission on this par
ticular question is of secondary i'm
portance in comparison with the sig
nff1cance of its assumption of it's
turtsdictton IN this matter, involving
the right to take such action in the
future as the varying personnel of
the league government from time to
time. may deem proper.
obstructive Of Independence"
'Fifth-So far as reported the Con-
stitution still contains the provisions
of article II. giving the league and
tribunals created under 1t Jurisdiction
over every international dispute, in
Guiding immigration and everything
else. whether justiciable or non -justi-
ciable-a provision utterly destructive
of American independence. 1t is still,
as President Wilson has said 'su-
preme sacrifice
'Sixth-This Constitution still con-
tains the agreement to guarantee the
personal and territorial independence
of every nation member Of the league
a cruel and unconscionable burden to
place upon the American people.
shameful Affront."
"eventh-The automatic declaration
of universal war, involving the right
of passage of belligerent troops
through the territory of every mem
ber of the league, whenever e mem
Der is deemed by the league to have
committed an offense against its pro-
visions. is shameful affront against
the peace and civilization of the
world.
Eighth-The provision that states
not members of the league. may be
forced when they decline to accept
the orders of the league, sets up such
a military despotism of the world as
was never before conceived, and Is
utterly destructive of the fundamental
principle of the American declaration
of independence.