Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-02-20
FIND FAULT WITH
LEAGUE CHARTER.
POindexter in Senate and Fess
in House DenOunce the Society
of Nations Constitution as
Prepared at Paris
MORE CRITICISM COMING
Senator Reed Declares Much Time Hns
Becn Frittercd Away in Paris in
Discussion--Ir rgcs Immediate Re-
turn of Troops

Washington Feb. 19.-Vigorous criticism
of the proposed constitution of the
League of Nations was voiced to-day in
both houses of Congress
Speaking for three hours before crowd
ed galleries, Senator poindeXtcr of Wash
ington, republican, precipitated dis
| cussion in the Senate which embraced
other subjects and consumed practically
the entire session. However there was
no formal reply to the Washington sena-
tor from the democratic side.
Discussion in the House was unex-
pccted and was not general. Just as the
members were settling down fl a night
session. Representative Fess of Ohio,
chairman of the republican congressional
campaign committee. delivered a care
fully prepared address in which he took
up the constitution section by section and
denounced the whole as abrdging the
sovereignty of the United States and
containing "vicious possibilities"
The addresses by Senator Poindexter
and Representative Fess were the first
prepared ones made in Congress since
the constitution of the league was
published and since President Wilson re-
quested that discussion be postponed
until he could confer with members of
the Senate mad House foreign affairs
committees at the White House next
week.
When Representative Fess concluded
there was no further discussion in the
House, but during Senator Poindexter's
address, Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska,
Republican Leader Lodge and Senators
Knox of Pennsylvania and Brandegee of
Connecticut all members of the foreign
relations committee, briefly interjected
comment on questions involved in the
league. Senator Reed of Missouri, demo-
rat, spoke in criticism of the proposal
md also vigorously denounced delay in
1emobilizing American troops.
Senator Shafroth of Colorado, demo-
crat, in defending the war department
after Mr.. Reeds attack. spoke briefly
in support of the league charter declar-
ing it would stop nine-tenths of future
wars
During the day Senator Borah of Idaho,
republican member of the foreign rela-
tons committee, who yesterdyy an
nounced his refusal to attend the White
House conference, made public a letter
he had written former President Taft, a
leading supporter of the league plan,
7 asking Mr.. Taft whether he would sup
port an amendment to the tentative con-
stitution to provide specifically for main
tenance of the Monroe Doctrine.
Resumption of attack on the league
Tomorrow in the Senate is in pros
pect. Senator Borah is ready to speak.
but may defer his address until Friday.
Senator Cummins of Iowa, republican.
also is preparing an address for delivery
later this week and Senator Reed gave
formal notice to-day that he would dis
cuss the league on Saturday. Senator
Hitchcock also is planning an early reply
to the critics of the league.
Senator Poindexter in his address to-
day declared that the league charter
confiicted with the Constitution of the
United States and meant not only sur
render or American sovereignty to Euro
pean nations. but also abandonment to
the Monroe Doctrine. He also declared
the league plan involved Colossal bur
den of entangling alliances and would
breed instead OF prevent wars.
The Washington senator particularly
attacked the provisions of the leagues
charter for disarmament and manda
tories. Referring 60 the Presidents re-
quest that debate be postponed. Senator
Poindexter declared the subject was too
vitally important to permit postponement
of discussion.
~tnterruptng the Washington member.
Senator Reed suggested that the leagues
executive council would be composed of
eight non-American members-possibly
enem.es-and that It's mandatory clause
would require the United States to fur
nish troops in suppressing nationalis,ic
uprisings in Canada, Ireland, Australia.
and other countries
In his first public comment on the
league charter, Senator Lodge declared he
was convinced the provisions for manda-
tories would be compulsory upon sigma
tory nations.
Disputing Senator Poindexter's- state
ment that this was the first time any at
tempt had been mad 20 restrict congress
sional power. Senator Hitchcock! cited the
Canadian boundary treaty, with its pro-
hibition against naval forces in boundary
waters, as a precedent OF direct restric-
ton" upon congressional powers over ar
mament. Senator Knox declared the pre-
cedent applied only to boundary matters,
while Senator Brandegec said the treaty
validating the league could not be set
aside as could be done In the case of other
treaties.