Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1919-02-21
SHERMAN WOULD
SILENCE WILSON
publ'c Discussion ofLeague
of Nations Unwise. Reso-
luton Declares
WANT CONGRESS TO
GET FIRST NEWS

/ BY the United frtss
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2i.--A resolu-
ton requesting President Wilson not
10 discuss the league Of nations at Bos-
lion was introduced In the senate to-
day. by senator sherman, Illinois, Re-
publican.
Inc resolution set forth that at is
he belief OF the Senate that public
discussion by the President Of The draft
Of the league OF nations constitution
before consulting the foreign relations
COMMITTEE Of the House and Senate and
communicating 10 them all material
| facts in his possession Is unwise, un-
diplomatic and calculated 10 promote
dlsoord and misunderstanding between
/ the treaty making powers"
The President Is requested not to
discuss the treaty until he has talked
10 the two committees and TO Con-
gress.N
The preamble OF the measure says
| the senate Is as much a part Of The
! treaty-maklng power as the President
and that IL so far has NOS been taken
into his confidence respecting the
/ league.
Sherman intends to speh on his res
oluiion later. 10 was generally regard
ed IN the Senate as retaliation for The
PRESIDENTS request that Congress re-
| fraln from discussing the league until
after the White House dinner
! That President Wilson should make
his explanations Of the proposed league
OF nations 10 an open Joint session Of
Congress was the substance Of a tele-
gram from Senator. Fall, declining the
/ White House dinner invitation.
! Fall stated he would be glad 90 hear
the President 20 over the proposed
draft but could not agree to treat such
an explanation as confidential. The
text OF Fails telegram was made public
today.
Senator Borah today demanded that
the american people be given a vote on
the League Of Nations constitution be-
] fore the government binds itself under
| the compact In a speech 90 the SEN
ate Borah warned that II the people
are not now afforded this opportunity
! 20 express their unclouded opinion
they will take the opportunity later
10 speak their mind"
This plan involves In my opinion
| change in our constitution. That kind
OF question should be submitted d.
rectly to the people We their agents
have no authority 10 decide Il for them.
II we do decide we will assume a great
! er responsi bility than we ought
i "a referendum involves difficulties. !
know. but they are not lnsurmountable
and by no means comparable with the
importance Of being right and IN har-
|, mony with the people. The league can
not succeed unless It has behind il the
intelligent and sustained public opinion
OF the people Of this nation.
Il concede the right Of the people Il
make such changes as they see OF. upon
full information as 10 the facts bui
when a radical departure from estab-
lished policy Is proposed. ! am sure
even the advocates Of this plan will
agree that the peoples voice should be
n heard"
Borah next addressed himself 20 for
mer President Tafts statement that
adoption. OF the league constitution In
no way interfered with the Monroe
doctrine.
THAT statement" said Borah, sis not
: founded on fact II Is TO the utmost
degree misleading"