The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-27
WILSON PLACES

quoted as saying, prevents the training
of any number of men, but they do
noty constitute an army unless armed
and equipped.
The president impressed his hearers
with the fact that once the program
for any nation has been ratified, that
nation cannot of its own motion in
crease the program without flying into
the face of its solem pledge as league
member.
One Vote for United Kingdom.
Great Britain's power: The British
empire will have five votes in the full
league but only one in the executive
council. Each of Britain's self-gov-
erning colonial possessions will get q
separate vote in the full league, but
the United Kingdom alone will have
one vote in the council. This dis
poses, in the view of administration
senators, of the argument that British
power would be increased out of all
proportion by creation of the league
under the proposed constitution.
Iceland: For the present, Ireland
will not have a vote or be member
OF che league as separate nation,
compitt, men understood. The presi-
dent indicated, they said that Ire
lands future status is matter be-
tween ireland and the British govern
ment and that the league has no
jurisdiction.
Withdrawal from the league: Any
| nation wishing to withdraw from the
| league may do so by denouncing the
| treaty, the president said, according
to congressman. This is the same
course any nation is at liberty to pur-
sue with respect to any treaty.
Amendment Will Be Difficult.
| Amendment of the constitution
once it has been ratified, will be diff
cult and not to be accomplished upon
the whim of any nation, the president
| told his guests, th.y said today. He
| also was quoted as saying practically
all neutral nations have expressed a
| desire to become league members
He emphasized what he said al
Boston that despair will grip the world
If the United States does not ratifs
| the league plan.
Serious complications will occur al
most at once if the league Is moi
created" President Wilson told US
Senator Hitchcock, chairman of the
senate committee said. He said the
league already is in use a number
of questions having been referred tt
1t by the peace conference for settle.
ment''
He impressed members with the
necessity of America standing by the
Czecho-Slovaks and Jugo-Slavs.
No Peace Treaty Date
Nothing was said. according to com
mitteemen, concerning the probable
date of completing the peace treaty
nor of the presidents final return
from Europe.
Following the dinner. which LASTED
from s p. m. until nearly 10 p. m.
the president, without any long pre-
liminary statement. invited them t.
question him. So many questions
were asked that the session did no
end until just before midnight
Members declared the president die
not present any arguments. He simpl.
answered inquiries, usually by stating
his own view of what the effect of
specific provision would be. Their.
was an entire absence Of the contro
versial spirit, according to committe,
members.
Brandegee Led Questioning.
Senator Brandegee, Republican
took leading part in the questioning
Senator Hitchcock. chairman of tn
foreign relations com ittee, asked
few questions, as did Lodge and Knox
These three are scheduled to addres
: the senate this week ON the league o
nations.
Chairman Flood of the house com
mittee. in a formal statement follow
| ing the conference. said:
Il am heartily in favor of league