The sun., 1919-04-13
LEAGUE WILL BREED
WAR, SAYS BARNES
It Means Denial Of Self-De-
termination, Asserts Albany
= Man in Debate.
ARGUES WITH PROF. HART
Wilson's Course Is Severely
Criticised at Brooklyn
y University Club.

'Tt is the denial OF that which this
nation loves-the right Of self-determi-
nation" william Barnes said of the
League Of Nations at the Brooklyn Uni
versity Club last night. 1t was the final
word Of his rebuttal in his debate with
Prof. Albert Bushnell Hart, professor
OF government at Harvard.
Prof. Hart had closed his argument
with n glowing appeal to America to
sacrifice "a little" that the great work
Of International organization might go
forward. The former chairman of the
Republican State Committee promptly
took up this gauntlet, and when he had
finished the audience of 400 men and
women gave him the biggest measure Of
applause of the evening.
''From the day this league is adopted
that day war begins" said Mr.. Barnes
"On that day the fertile field for ma
chinations and intrigue. for the display
of all that is worst in human nature,
but which we can't take out OF human
nature, the executive council of the
League of Nations. is opened.
Blanket Promise.
''when the United States puts its sig
nature to this covenant brushing aside
all minor objections. we agree to do a
thing under a blanket promise. As
have said before. and as the United
States has so abundantly proved. the
United States will shrink from no task
and from no sacrifice. But before we
agree to sacrifice we must know the
cause In which we are summoned.
when We sign this covenant, ipsc
facto. we bind ourselves to go to wal
at the order of others. 1t Is the denial
Of that which this nation loves-the
right of self-determination."
In contrast with the Lodge-LSowell de
bate In Boston on the point of the sac
rifice demanded Of the United States
and the worthiness of its objects. las
nights speakers took square issue and
fought for the largest part of the time
allotted to each.
As at the Lodge-Lowell debate there
was one subject upon which the audience
even the speakers. was unanimous. Tha
point was condemnation of Presiden
Wilson and the methods by which h,
had tried to force this country and tn,
Senate to line up behind his league
Prof. Hart himself Joined in the applaus,
when Mr.. Barnes stated that ''pleasan
as II was to agree with the Chief Execu
1.-Two of the United States. such agreemen
was governed by reason. and my reason
President when he takes q little tou
around his own mind"
Wilsonian Personality.
When It came Prof. Harris turn {,
talk of the influence Of the w1isonIai
personality on the problem he phrase
II thus:
Support Of the league is not q cues
ton of personalities If the Angel Gabrie
was against the league I should deem
II my duty to ask him his knowledg
of the problem and the reasons for hi
opposition. II the devil himself wer
It's chief supporter. should thank Go,
that the devil was for it."
Again. In describing the methods o
the American Peace Commission and II
selection Prof. Hart deferred to the fac
that the commission which negotiat e,
the peace with Spain contained tw
Senators.
"And had It not. had they not bee
familiar with the whole negotiation an
able to defend It. the treaty would no
have been confirmed IN the Senate. II
was an Olympian I should not hav
made the American Commission to Pari
10 consist only OF Jupiter and his fou
moons
While Mr.. Barnes made n bitterl