The Washington herald., 1919-02-20
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

CoNIlNUED f1tOA PAGE ONE.
Commitment of each member of the
league to participate in war involv-
ing any other member OF the league
Participation by the league through
an International bureau of labor in
the domestic social. economic, and
Industrial problems of every nation
in the league.
Surrender by the United States Of
the power vested in Congress by the
Constitution TO regulate commerce
with foreign nations in arms and am
munition.
Borah Would Exempt Doctrine.
Aside from Senator Poindexter's ad-
dress. the most interesting develop
ment In the subject yesterday was the
sending of a letter to former Presi-
dent Taft by Senator Borah demand
ing to know whether he would sup
port an amendment to the constitu-
ton Of the league to exempt the Mon
roe Doctrine from interference by any
Of the other powers in the league.
Senator Borah's letter attracted con-
siderable attention because Mr.. Taft
has been openly advocating acceptance
Of President Wilson's plan by the
Senate and has addressed many ap-
peals TO the Republican members OF
that body.
Senator Poindexter arraigned the
constitution of the league, declar-
ing 1t was loosely drawn and con-
tanned many eStraneous matters.
He said the American people never
would submit to dictation by a for
eign power or group of powers in
the matter of raising armies or
building navies. He also criticized
the burden of guardiapship placed
upon the United States by the man
datory provisions.
In the course of an analysis of
the organization of the league, SEN
ator Poindexter was interrupted by
Senator Reed, who inquired IL the
executive council would be compos-
ed of representatives of England.
Japan, France, Italy and the United
States and four other nations. each
having one vote. Senator Poindex-
ter answered that this would be
true, whereupon Senator Reed in
quired:
Then it is a complete surrender.
is 1t not. OF Americas right to de-
fend herself in tribunal made up.
eight to one. of non-Americans, and
tiiolE pts COliipOstus CHI 10 one,
OF enemies of American
Certainly it would be composed
eight to one of conflicting interests.
of rival powers OF America" an
, swered Senator Poindexter.
Sees Peril in Japan
And Japan would have one vote
| equal to that of America pursued
Senator Reed. That is to say we
propose in this league TO give Japan
vote concerning our destinies equal
TO our own, although We refuse TO
allow Japanse citizens to become citi-
zens of the United States"
The situation in Mexico was cited
by Senator Poindexter as one in which
the United States would have no
right to interfere II 1t went into the
league.
In concluding his speech. Senator
Poindexter said:
IF this constitution is ratified with
out being submitted to the American
people in a political campaign where
it shall have been made an issue. and
upon which they will nave had an
opportunity to render Judgment in an
election. then elf-government in
America will have disappeared We
are facing an abyss. and the Ameri-
can people should not be led into IL
blindly."
Refers to Paris Shooting.
PoindeStcr prefaced his speech with
reference to the attempted assassIna-
ton OF Premier Clcmenceau.
fortunately for humanity. the as
sassin failed OF his purpose" Poin-
dexter said. "Of all men. We could
least AFFORD to lose at this iuncture
the French premier who stood for hu-
manity and decency against the Ger
man horde"
PoindeXter criticized President
Wilson's efforts to keep Congress
from discussing the league in ad-
vance OF his return, and charged
that hired propaCandists are at
work spreading the administrations
views
Matters contained in the pro-
posed constitution are the most
momentous in their effect on the
people and the government of the
United States since the civil war"
said PoindeXtcr. But before the
busy world whose destinies are to
be controlled has had an opportun-
ity to read and digest its provisions.
we are requested not TO make it
the subject of debate in Congress
until the President can speak in
its behalf.
In the meantime various organ
izations, such as the League to En-
force Peace, the Society of Free Ma
tions and other internationalists