New-York tribune., 1919-06-29

Lincoln saved for US, whose traditions
fnd ideals have been so gloriously up
held by our valiant sons abroad. The
issue is America-and l am an Amer
ican."
Mr.. Pepper Is Puzzled
Mr. Pepper took issue with the asser-
tion Of ex-President Taft and the as
sumption of President Wilson that a
great majority of the American people
are in favor Of the covenant.
He referred to the President and
Senator Hitchcock cabling congratula
tions to es ch other on the "unanimity"
of public sentiment for the league of
nations.
Mr.. Pepper went on. Il have come into
intimate contact lately with a good
many representative Americans from
all parts of the country, and I have
IN consequence strong impression
that out OF every ten persons who have
read the covenant and understand its
meaning at least seven are definitely
and even violently opposed to it,"
Mr.. Pepper countered to Mr.. Taft's
statement that three-quarters of the
money supporting the campaign to in
duce ratification of the covenant came
from big business men, with the decla-
ration that the opponents preferred S25
contributions from small business men
to fight it.
Says Dark Races Control
Senator Reed enumerated the thirty
two nations comprising the projected
league and pointed out that seventeen
OF them, a majority, "belong to the
dark-skinned races"
".1f,". he. said, "any question should
arise involving the equality of races,
can it be doubted these dark skinned
people will vote that hey are as good
as the white people and back Japan's
claim for international recognition of
race equality?
A thing not to be forgotten is that
while the independent states of the
Union are not recognized as separate
entities or given separate votes, the
British Empire can be conveniently di-
vided and her colonies each be ac-
corded vote.
"But more significant is the fact
that India, which Great Britain holds
in subjection by force of arms-India,
IN which ninety-two out of every hun
dred cannot read or write; India, a
degenerate and dying nation composed
of many races and tongues-is ac-
corded in seat in the assembly with
vote equal to the United States,
while Ireland. composed of white peo-
PAo AUA4OW 'HS tHc SlI iStldu 1dlCH, Is
denied either voice, vote or recogni-
ton or hearing. Such is the construc-
tlon of the assembly,"
Quotes Wilson on "Test''
Senator Reed quoted from President
Wilson's Jefferson Day speech, april
13, 1918, in which the President said:
"God forbid that we should ever be-
come directly or indirectly cmbroiled
in quarrels not of our own choosing,
and that do not affect what we feel
responsible to defend. But, if we
should ever be drawn in, are you ready
to go in only where the interests OF
America are coincident with the inter
ests Of mankind, and to drive out the
moment the interest centres in America
and is narrowed from the wide circle
of humanity? Are you ready for the
test ?"
"The time of test is here" resumed
Senator Reed, "and the President has
repudiated his own doctrine He now
insists upon permanent alliances and
an indissoluble copartnership"
Mr.. Pepper acted as chairman. He
was introduced by Henry A. Wise
Wood, who termed the covenant ode
structive of our liberties and indie
pendence