Arizona republican., 1919-04-08
FERV|D SUPPORT FUR LEAGUE AND
 ALSO CRITICISM
Senators Hitchcock and Len root Debate Covenant Must Have It." Says One" America First" Is Reply
Republican A. p. Leased Wire1

NEW YORK, April 7.-Acceptance of the league of nations covenant as a great compromise of nations willing to unite to end war" and it's rejection unless it meets the requirements "of that somewhat old fashioned idea of America first" were the pleas of the two United States senators who par ticipated in a decision of the league before the economic league here to- night.
 Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska chairman of the foreign relations com mittee was the advocate of the CO., venant in virtually its present form. Senator Lenroot of Wisconsin, adyo- cated the America first idea.
 Opening the discussion, Senator Hitchcock declared that persons who object to the present league plan should be placed in the same class with those who believe in no league Its this league or a return of war;" he declared. This league or no league at all"
 The covenant in it's present form, he asserted, was a great compromise by the fourteen allied nations arrived at after long discussion by all the par | ties and a compromise in which each nation yielded points which it pre- ferred to include.
 Tt is not just what. we want. IL is not what England wanted, or France or Japanese. It is a compromise.
 eff the nations ratify it, it will be- come fact. If it is rejected that ends l for the present and probably indefin- itely any chance for securing the re- form. It means that despair would spread over Europe. The nations would go to work preparing for war. And it means something else-it means the growth of socialism, bolshevism and anarchy.
 People Misconceive Plan
 Much of the opposition to the league Senator Hitchcock declared, has been | based on an "entire misconception ot what it is"
 Tt is not a great supernation. Il is not nation or a government. Il has no sovereign powers. It is a great covenant, the chief features of wnicf are agreements as to what the na- tions will and will not do as sovereign powers"
 Senator Hitchcock deplored "at- tempts to make a political issue" O the league proposals and declared those who attempted to make politica capital of it would find themselves il a position of man who after pur chasing horse was told by the sele that it is not worth damn Discussing the most vigorously at , tackled points of the original covenant Senator Hitchcock declared that il l most cases the opposition was wei ] founded and predicted that the ney covenant, soon to be publuished woul , while retaining virtually it's old form l have all misconstrued sections clarifie ? and would contain some altered pro ] fviSions.
 Senator Hitchcock said he agree, with persons who wished a specifi ] reservation of the Monroe doctrine in ! cluded in the covenant and hoped i l would be possible for it to be included He was not willing, however, he sair to include it if specific inclusion mean specific inclusion of Japan's deman for lowering of the bars of immigratio. or Frances demand for maintenance O 6 great military machine.
 Nothing Inconsistent
 But whether reserved or not h said, there is nothing in the covenap inconsistent with the Monroe doctrine
 He predicted that a specific excIusio would be made in the new covenant c . domestic matters such as immigratio but declared that even if it were no excluded and if Japan, raising tn question were given a unanimous vol by the executive council, there woul be nothing to prevent America fror just not admitting the Japan. Americ; he asserted would only be pledged "ne to go to war with Japan
 The questions of mandatories he de clared was misconstrued as under tn terms of covenant no nation would l. compelled to become a mandatory ur less it so desired.
 Senator Lenroot confined his addres to the original draft of the covenan explaining that he wished to "sho how well grounded was the action , the 37 senators who signed the rouu robin against the original covenant and adding that second reason W. the fact that i've don't know what fl new form will be-"
 Answering Senator Hitcbocks assel ton that 1t was necessary to accept il covenant unamended or reject it aItt gether. Senator Lenroot asserted it w; peculiar that neutrals can be asked suggest amendments but that neith, the senate nor the people of the Unite States have been asked to suege changes"
 T am in favor of the general pla of this league" Senator Lenroot sai but we must remember that no leag, of nations can ensure against war"
 Lenroot Points Out Flaws
 Asserting that he still adhered to u
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