The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-15
Idaho Senator Calls Ex-
Presidents Plan "Interna-
tiOnal Prussianism."
PLEADS FOR OLD IDEALS
DenOunces "Big Army and
Greatest Navy" Advocates
as Un-American.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14.-Taking is
sue with both President Wilson's
views as to the establishment of a
league of nations as enunicated in
his speech at Rome and with former
President Taft's announced pro-
gramme for an international league
Senator Borah Idaho) to-day adj
dressed the Senate in opposition to
both schemes.
He said rs a preface to his speech
that President Wilson's programme
was based upon the organization OF
the moral forces of the world while
Mr.. Taft's plan called for the or
Eanlzation of the military force OF
all the nations.
"My discussion to-day, however,
said Senator Borah, Il will CON
confine to discussion of the Taft
plan. That plan Is for league
founded upon force and is calculated
10 be of immeasurable injury or of
The utmost menacing consequences to
The peoples of the world. At the time
the League to Enforce Peace was first
organized it was apparent to those
who gave it consideration that 1t
rests ultimately upon force. upon the
principle of oppression, But the nd
vocates of this particular league were
very slow to admit to the public
that that was the true construction
10 be placed upon the programme.
IT was long time before it was con.
ceded that force would have any par
tlcular part in the maintenance and
execution of the objects and purposes
Of this league.
Rests on Force.
but we now have arrived at time
when It is conceded that the distin-
gushing feature of this league over
all others Is taaat II depends upon force,
and whether they concede 1t in the
particular language or not the funda-
mental principle upon which it rests is
that OF repression by the organization
Of the military Powers Of the great ma
tions Of the earth, to be used and util-
ized whenever those Powers shall deem
It proper for the repression Of anything
in the way of a contention against the
policies of the league or Of the estab-
,ished nations.
Naturally the first question that a
man would ask would be How are you
going to raise your armies to sustain
this vast military programme of this
league based upon force?' Would the
citizens of the United States volunteer
to enter the army for the purpose OF
settling disputes in the Balkans, for in
stance? Would the American boys
leave their homes on the farms or the
factories for the purpose of taking part
in the adjustment of a controversy be-
tween Japan and Russia over Man
rhuria? How are you to have suf-
ficient force in a free nation with which
10 maintain the programme early out
lined by this league? In other words
we would have conscription in time OF
peace.
Conscription Big Issue.
We yielded to the principles of con
scrlption in the great emergency through
which We have just passed. but 1t Is
certainly of extraordinary moment TO the
people of this country to have presented
TO them the question of conscription In
time of peace to OBTAIN a force witt
which TO sustain the proposed league"
Senator Borah next asserted that ther,
NAV n mako 9uCh n lanRlla pffaC
tive by means of military power excep
'by fastening conscription upon tn,
American people at a time when ever,
nation on the face OF the earth which
has had experience with conscription Il
now pledsing its people that IT shall b.
abrogated and eliminated from thei
system"
He said that besides conscription sucl
league would necessitate the construc
ton OF the largest navy in the world
md quoted Secretary Daniels and Rea
Admiral Badger TO this effect.
Vigorous opposition to the appropria
ton of s6OO.OOO.0 900 for the enlarged
naval programme OF Secretary Daniel
was voiced by the Senator
"a navy" he said, 'is made to f1gh
some one 1t Is war machine: 1t !
for the purpose of engaging ultimatel
or at some unexpected time in con
fct Where is the enemy? Germany
broken and dismembered and bleeding
and these ships that we are now to bull
Will have rotted upon the high seas be
fore she will be able to exercise an
force upon the ocean.
Certainly the relations OF Englan
end France are such that we ca
scarcely urge the necessity Of a navy 1
order to deal with these great Powers.
No Enemies in Sight.
"Japan is a great and powerful ma
ton, but the relations of Japan to tn
country have not been SO friendly
fifteen years as at the present. an
naturally one is bewildered and som'
what staggered at this particular 1un'
ture, with our every enemy conquere
and practically under our control. {
being called upon to appropriate $500
000, 900 for the purpose OF building
vast fighting machine.
so we are not only to have an arm
based upon conscription. militarism
Its most pronounced form. on land. b'
we are to have the largest navy In Il
vsrld In order to sustain the league
Continued on Third PGss.