The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-04-03
WATSON FLAYS
LEAGUE PLAN;
Referendum
TEST URGED
Indiana Senator Urges Pro-
tection of u. S. Rights In
Address Before Large Au-
dience at Coliseum.
SPEAKS At G. o.P. MEET

ana, delivered scathin8 arraignment
OF the league Of nations to a crowd of
Richmond citizens estimated at 5000,
which packed the coliseum Wednes-
May evening.
Within twenty minutes Of the first
opening OF the doors, the Coliseum
was filled, and rows Of people were
standing up around the walls. The
Richmond high school orchestra,
which was to play, was deprived of
Its music because the doors were
closed and played only one selection,
THE Star-Spangled Banner"
Watson came on the stage at eight
O'Clock, and was received with ap
plause. He was introduced by Ed. O.
Paul, Of Cambridge City, and when
he rose to speak. was again heartily
applauded. In his opening remarks,
he said that he could deliver a totally
non-partisan speech because he was
a hearty believer in partisan govern
ment.
Watson said that England was
not acting in good faith that. while
acting presumably to complete the
world league, she had already made
a secret arrangement with her colo.
nies whereby she would have exclu-
sive trade rights with every one of
them, and that she was conniving to
control the government of the world
through the league of nations as pro-
posed by the president.
England found out during the war
that her colonies possessed unsus-
pected riches" said Watson. "She has
already made an arrangement by
which the mother country may be sup.
piled 1rst, then her colonies. and no
other country is to have O portion
until they are satisfied. Preferential
tariffs. by which England would ex-
clude all trade except her own be-
tween herself and her colonies, and
eventually control the trade Of the
world. are also being prepared"
The senator warned his audience that
"once in, we can never withdraw, and
therefore we should enter 1t with
clear minds and open eyes"
The Indianan expressed his hatred
of war and pointed out that he was
willing to yield much to secure some
kind Of an association among the ma
tions that will prevent strife and pro-
mote peace. However, he declared
that he was unwilling to pay the price
it demands even to accomplish SO
great an object. "Assuredly," said he,
sit Is not necessary in order to pro-
mote the peace Of the world. to over
turn the constitution Of Of the United
States, to abrogate the Monroe doc
trine, to limit the sovereignty Of our
government or to transfer the control
of our domestic affairs to foreign
countries. And, unfortunately" as
serted the senator with emphasis,
President Wilson says to us, Take
this or nothing"
Discusses Article Ter.
Singing out Article Ten prelimin-
airy to a discussion of the twenty-six
articles of the covenant one by one,
the senator said that the clause had
probably occasioned more discussion
than any other of the draft. This
means" said Mr. Watson in referring
TO the tenth article, "in plain terms,
that all the nations Of the earth are to
be placed in straight-jackets and that,
If necessary, all of our resources shall
be subject to the call OF the executive
council to keep them there for all fu-
ture time. Is this policy wise for the
world? Is II safe for us?" he asked.
In dealing with his accusation that
England had Interior motives in es-
pousing the cause of the league OF
nations, the senator said.
Nor should 1t be forgotten that
England's colonies, Australia, Canada,
New Zealand and South Africa, and
even India, are each to have one vote
in the body Of delegates, while the
whole Of the United States is to have
one vote. This body Of delegates in
turn is to decide what other nations
shall or shall not enter the league,
and thus it is quite manifest that
Great Britain can bring in other in-
dependent and self-governing' colonies
in sufficient number to dominate the
the entire organization. 1t is quite
manifest that the eagerness Of Lloyd
George in promoting this league and
the unanimity with which the British
press is supporting it are not entirely
unsslHsh, for they evefdently believe
that England can control the opera
ton Of the league, and through this
instrumentality, the government Of
the world"
Opposes Reduced Armament.
Referring to Article Eight, the
speaker quoted from the article: "The
high contracting parties recognize the
principle that the maintenance OF
peace will require the reduction Of
national armaments to the lowest
point consistent with national safety
and the enforcement by common ac-
ton of international obligations"
And how are international obliga-
tions to be enforcedy" asked the SEN
ator with emphasis. Certainly by
armies and navies. This very article
has reference to the reduction Of in
ternational armaments. and provides
that they shall not be reduced below q
point where they can no longer en-
force' international obligations. This
of course means a possibility Of war"
In illustrating the fallacy he claims
exists in Article Twelve, which pro-
yides for the settlement Of disputes,
Mr.. Watson referred to the Japanese
ouest1on that now = receiving some
k0a~AanmnA on Para N10A1