Omaha daily bee., 1919-03-20
LODGE, LOWELL
DEBATE LEAGUE
DRAFT MERITS
Bay State Senator Would
Support League That Would
Promote Peace; Must
Redraft Treaty.

IAN inconsistent republican and
frequently had been in agreement
with Senator Lodge, he could not
agree with his utterances on the
league of nations covenant, and still
less with those of his senatorial
colleagues.
DR.. Lowell maintained the cor
rectness of the covenant in prlncl-
pie, arguing that while very de-
fective in its drafting" and easily
Misunderstood" it should be accept
ed and improved"
Calls Plan Experiment.
He described it as an experiment
In open diplomacy. .
To meet certain objections rails
ed, DIR. Lowell advocated the inser-
] ton Of clauses in the covenant per-
hitting Withdrawals from the league
on reasonable notice. stipulatlng that
no foreign powers shall acquire any
possessions on the American CONT
nents, and making it perfectly clear
that immigration and tariff prob
lens are to be regarded as purely
International affairs.
Symphony hall was filled. Three
thousand persons had seats and 800
stood. Half of the audience was
made up of members of the legis-
lature, federal and state Judiciary,
governors of New England states,
army and navy officers, members
of the Harvard faculty, delegates OF
the Central Labor union and per-
sonal guests OF the debaters. The
other half were lucky ones awarded
admissions by chance from Is times
rs many applications.
Gov. Calvin Colidge presid-
ed, introduced the speakers and held
the watch. Senator Lodge led off,
speaking for an hour. He received
a noisy reception and was repeated
" interrupted by applause.
Wants General Disarmament.
Senator Lodge in opening his ar
Rument said that he was not against
q league of nations, but was anxious
to have the free nations of the world
unite to secure peace and bring
about "a general disarmament" HE
also denied the charge of incon-
sistency because of speeches in 1915
and 1916, favoring in general a
league of nations.
At this time and later, in fact
up to the very last, he explained,
he was in constant consultation
with Colonel Roosevelt.
Two weeks before his death" he
said, Il was with Theodore Roose-
Welt for some hours, seeing him Tor
two mornings in succession. The
draft now before the country was
not then before US, but we discussed
fully the league of nations in all its
bearings. We were in entire agree
ment. The position that ! have
taken and now take had his full
approval. The line | have followed
ii the senate and elsewhere was the
one he wished to be followd,. | do
lot say this to transfer my respon-
,ibility from my shoulders to his
All do and all | say is on my own
responsibility alone
"The question before us, Senator
Lodge said, "the only question OF a
practical nature. is whether the
league that has been drafted by the
commission Of the peace conference
and laid before it will tend to Sc
cure the peace of the world as il
stands, and whether it is just and
air to. the United States OF Amer
Ca"
Contructive Criticism.
In answer to the charge that there
had been no constructive criticism
81 the league of nations, Senator
Lodge exclaimed:
My first constructive criticism Is
hat this covenant ought to be re-
drafted" This is essential, he ad
led. because the sanctity OF treaties
vital above all else.
As another constructive criticism
ae demanded definite statement II
he covenant of the vote required II
The executive council for it te
recommend" or advise" or pro
eose" as the case might be.
He also declared for "a larger
reservation of the Monroe doc
lrine," the policy which Stands OF
swo facts, geography and human
lature, that are neither transient moi
phemeral."
1T must not be within the juris
fiction of the league OF nations te
say who shall come into the unitec
States" he said.
To have other nations meddl'