Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-02-18
'BORAH WILL
NOT Be BOUND
TO SILENCE
Asks 70 be Excused From
Dinner and Discussion Of
Nations League.

Fe0. 1S.-Senat0x
Borah Of Idaho. has asked to be ex-
cused from attending the dinner at
the White House at which President
Wilson will discuss with members of
the foreign4relations committee OF
congress the constitution OF the pros
posed league Of nations. y
In a letter to Secretary Tumulty,
Senator Borah said it was the s
tom to hold in confidence any infor-
nation received at such a gathering.
and that he was not willing to be
bound to Silence on such an important
subject on which he and the presi-
dent disagreed fundamentally
He added that nothing could make
him agree with the constitution Of the
league as 1t now stood.
White House officials said no other
member Of the committees had de-
clined the presidents invitation and
that it was understood all the others
would accept.
On receiving the Idaho senator's
letter Secretary Tumulty Immediately
transmitted 1t by wireless to Presi-
dent Wilson aboard the transport
George Washington on his way home
from France.
Senator Borah is one of a group OF
senators which includes democrats as
well as republicans, who oppose any
sort of Observation-Disclosures and whose
opposition to the league as proposed
has been. regarded as a foregone con-
clusion.
There have been hints that several
republicans might refuse to attend the
presidents dinner to which the mem
bers of the committee Of both houses
dealing with foreign affairs were in.
vited by wireless to go over the pro-
posed constitution article by article,
There were no surface indications,
however, today, that others would fol.
low Mr.. Borah's example.
Debate in the senate which has been
expected 70 break out al any moment
in spite Of the presidents request thai
it be withheld until after his meeting
with the committeeman. probably will
begin tomorrow. Senator Poindexte1
Of Washington, republican, has an
morrow and Senator Borah and sever
al others are preparing to speak.
Senator Borah's letter follows: \
. Il greatly appreciate your note
honoring me with an invitation to
meet the president February 26 to dis.
cuss the league of nations matter
Of most vital concern to the whole
according to a long standing custom
are always regarded as strictly conf
Dental on the part Of the guestz This
meeting, I take it. would be regarded
as especially confidential otherwise
the president would have spoken a c
cording to his custom to the open
senate. The differences between the
president and myself on this question
are fundamental. I am sur no sug.
gestion of mine would modify in the
slightest the view of the president and
nothing could induce me to support
this league as outlined in this pro.
posed constitution or anything like it
II feel, therefore, that it would no,
be fair to the president to accept his
confidence or receive from him conf
dental information concerning this
subject, could I accept Information
which I would not feel perfectly free
to transmit to my. colleagues .or use
in public debate After much refec.
ton I beg therefore to be excused
from attending this meeting.
"In writing this note and in taking
this course. I mean no personal disre.
spect or disregard of the president. ]
simply find myself in such disagree.
ment with him and feel so intensely
concerning the matter that I cannot
the Act."
Senator Poindexter formally gave
notice. when the senate met, of his
intention to speak tomorrow. Senate:
Borah said he planned to address the
senate Thursday.
Several Republican members Of the
senate committee stated privately to.
day that they would not regard
themselves bound by confidence and
that they would accept the presi.
dents invitation with reluctance.
Senator Fall of New Mexico is the
only minority member who is not in
Wa shinpton