New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1919-04-30
LEAGUE OF nations
is STILL LACKING
While Improved, G. 0. P. Mem
berS Continue Criticisms

conference has been laid here at con-
ferences held by Senator Lodge, ma
Jorlty leader in the new Senate, and
other Republicans. Senator Lodge
talked with the Republican confreres
at his home. Later he issued a state
ment that the covenant would require
amendment. He refraincd from discus
sion 'of the alleged defects. His an
nOunCcmcnt reads:
Il am not prepared to make Il state
ment in regard to the new draft at
this moment because / desire to eN-
anime it carefully and com pare it with
the former draft. and also TO confer
with my collcagu for it is obvious
that it Will require further amend
mcntS if it is to promote peace and
not cndangcr certain rights Of the
United States which should never be
placed in jcopardy.'
Articles on Monroe Doctrine.
Although Senator Lodge declined to
discuss the changes he considers
necessary to make the Leagu cove
nant acceptable to the Senate, it was
stated at the Capitol that one of his
objections was based upon the phras-
ing of Article MIL, which is designed
to safeguard the Monroe Doctrine, be
lieying it vague. The same opinion is
held by Senator Borah of Idaho. New
OF Indiana, Sherman of Illinois. Moses
Of New Hampshire, Curtis of Kansas
Johnson of California in fact, by
nearly all the Republican Senators
from whom any expression has come.
Article XII. provides that nothing
in this covenant shall be deemed to af-
,n I-a1 RI itN- of iY,to tirt,
gagements such as treaties of arbtra-
ton or regional understanding like
the Monroe Doctrine for securing the
maintenance of peace" In view of
the Senatorial critics, this phrase
ology fails to stipulate with sufficient
eXactitudc that the Monroe Doctrine is
to be eliminated from control of the
League of Nations. The words re
gional understanding like the Monroe
Doctrine,' these Senators contend, are
too general, and might be interpreted
by member nations, in case of dis
pute, to include only understanding
that follow the form Of the Monroe
Doctrine, While not affecting the doc
trine itself
Another criticism Of Article NNI is
that the clause is confined to under
standings for securing the main |
tcnance Of peace" The Monroe Doc
trine, they contend, was not framed as |
peace measure, but to protect Amer
lean control of the Western hemi- !,
sphere, even to the point of war
From the talk heard at the capitol |
it seems evident that a hard fight will |
develop over Article NNI., with the
view Of amending it so there may be
no doubt as to the elimination of the |
Monroe Doctrine from interference by |
the league. That is declared to be !
the plan of Senator Lodge. 1t was |
discussed in his conference with his |
Some Won't Keep Silent.
Notwithstanding the kilograms urg-
ing republican senators to withhold !
comment on the covenant for the |
present, several senators said they did |!
not feel bound to silence. Among |
these was Mr.. Borah, who remarked. |
incidentally that no telegram from !
Mr.. Lodge or Mr.. Curtis had come to !
him.
Il think there will be some talk on !
the league" said Mr.. Borah. II take |
the kilograms to apply only to those !
senator's who have not had an oppor- |
tunity to analyze the draft and COM
pare it with the original. I do not |
regard it as an attempt TO stife the |
criticism Of those who have opposed
it all along, and who have not hest |
tatcd to express their vieWs'
Among republican senator's there !
appeared to be a deep-seated impress
hion that the covenant would be
amended in the senate or rejected. !
Leaders declared that Of the thirty !
nine republican senator's who sened |
the Ground robin against the league |
most would retain their ground. In |
which case the two thirds vote neces
sary for ratification could not be OBJ !
tanned.
In other quarters, however, it was
stated that many CT the t1irtN-nine. |
convinced that the League of Nations i
was wanted by the American people |
and that the redrafted covenant !
would safeguard american interests. |
would vote for it. 1t is impossible to |
make an intelligent forecast at this
time, as thus far not more than a doz- !
any view of the redraft. Most of |
them are at their homes.
From comment heard at the CAPT !
tol it appears that opposition to the !
covenant is being focused upon four |
assertions:
/. That the covenant fails to safe |
guard the Monroe Doctrine.
,. That the problem OF mmigra- |
ton to the United States is not vest |
cd in American control, but may go to !
the League Of Nations as a iusticiabe |
question: if q dispute should arise |
over it,
3. That Article X. binding mem |
bers of the league to '"prcserve as !
against external aggression the terri |
toral integrity and existing political !
independence of all members" might |
oblge the United States to enter into |
disputes over territory between Euro |
pean nations and go to war If the |