The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-03-20
LODGE DEBATES
4. |. LOWELL ON
LEAGUE MERITS
Both Speakers Agree That
Present Covenant Needs
Revision to Clarity Plan.
(By Associated Pressl

BOSTON, Mass, March 20. - The
merits of the proposed covenant OF
the league of nations were debated
Wednesday night by Senator Henry
Cabot Lodge and A. Lawrence Lowell
president OF Harvard university, be-
fore an audience that followed the
speakers with intense interest and fire.
Quently expressed approval The de.
baters approached the general topic
from different angles Senator Lodge
attacked the covenant las agreed up.
on by the commission OF the peace
conference" as porous instrument"
on the Interpretation Of which the
signers themselves would be at odds
within twelve months
DR.. Lowell admitted that the coven-
ant needed Qualification, but argued
that in substance, as plan for the
prevention Of war. 1t was sound.
Senator Lodge in opening his argu.
ment said that he was not against a
league Of nations, but was anxious to
have the free nations of the world
unite to secure peace and bring about
"a general disarmament" He also
denied the charge of Inconsistency be-
cause Of speeches in 1915 and 1915, ia
voring in general" a league Of ma
lions.
At this time and later, in fact up to
the very last, he explained, he was in
constant consultation with Col. Roose-
welt.
Two weeks before his DEATH" he
said, II was with Theodore Roosevelt
FOR some hours. seeing him for two
mornings IN succession. The draft
now before the country was not then
before US, but we discussed fully the
league OF nations in all its bearings.
We were In entire agreement The
position that J have taken and now
take had his full approval.
The question before u.s." Senator
Lodge said. "the only question of
practical nature, Is whether the league
that has been drafted by the commits
sion of the peace conference and laid
before 1t will tend to secure the peace
Of the world as it stands and whether
1t Is just and fair to the United States
of America"
In answer to the charge that there
had been no constructive criticism of
the league of nations. Senator Lodge
exclaimed my first constructive crit
icism is that this covenant ought to be
redrafted." This is essential, he add.
ed, because the sancuty OF treaties
ranks above all else.
Lowell Defends Draft.
He also declared for larger reser-
walton Of the Monroe Doctrine
After presenting an ANALYSIS Of the
league draft showing just what powers
are proposed for the association. and
pointing out that the league would not
take away the sovereignty of any ma
ton. DR.. Lowell said:
III we assume that the covenant
means what 1t says, and not something
wholly different no organ of the
league has any authority to give COM
mands to this country that need give
us moments anxiety. The only sub
stantial powers that any such body is
to possess, beyond making recommen--
dations which we may follow or not
as we think right, are derived from a
unanimous decision in an international
dispute, and from the right to forbid
an increase In ornaments or to direct
the duties Of mandate in case we
first agree to the reduction of arma.
ments, or to the assumption Of the
mandate.
1T is sometimes asked, if the au-
thority of the organs Of the league is
so insignificant, where is It's efficiency
in preventing war? The answer is
that it lies in the obligations assumed
under the covenant directly by the sew
eral members of the league; and this
is both the most effective and least
adventurous method Of preventing
war"