The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-07
EUROPE'S WRECKERS
 CONTROL LEAGUE,
 DECLARES BORAH
(Continued from Page One)

wars and political intrigue. destroy It's sovereignty and compel service of it's armed force in all parts of the world,
 "The acceptance by the United States of the proposed constitution of the league of nations may involve the very life of the republic" said Mir. Reed. 'It is high time patriots should arouse themselves
 An attempt is being made to drive it through to conclusion before the American people have any opportunity to read it's provisions or dig out of them the hidden and sinister purposes of the undertaking.
 "The people have been taught the league is merely an amicable agree ment that the world shall remain at peace. They have been told unless tho league is oonsummated the world will be imme mediately involved in chaos of war that will destroy the very founda- tions of society and civilization. People are taught they can receive the benefits of this league without involving our country in any serious obligations.
 q affirm it in fact proposes to set up a world government which will have control over all international matters as completely as the federal govern ment now has, jurisdiction over ques- tions affecting the states of the union.
 Moreover it will have Jurisdiction of domestic matters which, in the opin- ion of the majority of the league, may tend to produce difficulties out of which war may spring. %
 '"The seat of this league viii become in fact the capitol of the world.
 "rhe construction of the league is es- sentially autocratic. The powers are so highly centralized and so utterly without balance, checks. or safeguards, f0 .f 1- mocracy."
 Senator Thomas said he had studied the proposed league plan, pre-disposed to enroll, himself in It's favor, but had found himself unable to do so.
 FILLED WITH DANGERS
 He was in favor, he said, of some plan which would make wars more infrequent if not impossible. but he regarded the proposed league as filled with dangers to peace.
 This is a commitment to new la- tional policy, more easily made than abandoned, he asserted. T believe in the sanctity of the treaty obligations D
 Because America intended to live up to her treaties, he asserted, it was es- sential that it understood thoroughly what those obligations were.
 One of the most serious drawbacks in the proposed plan, he declared, was the
 
 as a virtual autocracy, was a charter member. Although the question of lift ing immigration restrictions had been dropped by Japan, Senator Thomas pre- dicted that this question would contin- ually be revived in the league with em- barrassment to the United States.
 "Japan's ideals are not our ideals, he declared. With such mixed member ship I can see only disaster ahead.'
 Another provision which Senator Thom- as held forth as dangerous" was that for international labor settlements Economic pressure, he declared, would be an intellectual means of securing peace.
 Senator Thomas closed with the as- sertion that the league of nations which would have the greatest promise or success would be one which had a starting point "a better understanding between the two great English speak ing countries.