New-York tribune., 1919-10-26
Fight Led by Lodge

Associated Press. )-Senator Lodge in
person to-day led the fight for the
johnson amendment against an oppo-
sition which for several days had made
its defeat virtually a foregone conclu-
sion. He argued that while the John
son proposal would not accomplish
completely the equalization of voting
power in the league, it or some similar
provision was necessary to protect
American interests.
The amendment was opposed as i'm
practicable and unworkable by Senator
McCumber, Republican, of North Da-
kota, and by Senator Thomas, Demo
crat, of Colorado. They both urged q
reservation on the subject, but Senator
Borah, Republican, of Idaho, argued
that the situation could best be met
by amending the treaty.
Before the debate settled down to
the amendment itself there was an
other tilt over the activities of the
League to Enforce Peace Senator
Brandegee, Republican, of Connecticut,
said thousands of dollars spent by the
organization in its efforts for the
board" without changing vote in the
Senate.
Defends Peace league
In reply, Senator hitchcock put into
the record detailed statement of the
organization snd work of the League
to Enforce Peace. He added that pub
lie opinion everywhere was for the
league Of nations, and that the only
nonpartisan organized opposition was
by Bolshevisrs and anarchists who
we're afraid the league of nations
would protect governments whose over
row. thoy 1aCiroA ~
Taking issue with Senator Hitch
cocks declaration, Senator Lodge said
his own belief was that the great
mass of the American people to-day, if
we could put it to q vote, would be
against taking the league without
change"
ut is worse than idle" he continued,
"to contend that those of US who op-
pose the treaty in its present form are
Bolshevists, anarchists or pro- German
and let me add that there are a ma
jority of Senators here who are not to
have their votes determined by guesses
will have the slightest effect upon
them. Least of all will they be guided
by being told what Europe wants. The
mischief of this treaty is that it was
made with the sole view Of the in
terests of Europe.
Nullifies Senate's Power
"The proposition that the Senate
must not amend this treaty is equiv
alent to nullifying the power of the
Senate. The Senate has amended some
seventy treaties in the past and the
amendments have been accepted and
the treaties became effective"
Once the league was accepted, Sen
ator Lodge said, it would be under its
terms VIRTUALLY unamendable." His
construction of the covenants lam
guage, he said, was that every member
would have to accept an amendment
before it became effective.
Senator Lodge said he had NO QUAR-
furnished the plan upon which the
league WAS drafted.
~ do not blame Great Britain fo1
looking after her interests" he said
"but regret that we had nobody who
looked sitter our interests as Great
Britain did. What l cannot accept is
the principle involved. You may turn
and twist it as you please, but it re-
mains that Great Britain and her pos
sessions have six votes and we have
one"
Opposing the amendment, Senator
McCumber, Republican, of North Da-
kota, said those complaining about the
voting arrangement in the league hac
"persistently refrained from telling the
whole truth" They always had for
gotten to tell how few things Great
Britain could use six votes for, he de-
clared. even if she could control them