The sun., 1919-04-15
LEAGUES APPROVAL.
BY SENATE IN DOUBT
Some Opponents See Hope in
Changes, but Others Pre-
dict Its Defeat.
BORAH POINTS WEAKNESS
Pacific Coast Members Also
See Objections in Version
of New Draft.
Special Despatch to THE Sun.

Special Despatch to THE Sun.
WASHINGTON, April 14.--Enough Of
the revised text OF the League of Ma
lions covenant has been cabled from
Paris to enable the few Senators now
In this city to form opinions as to the
chances OF It's ratification by the Senate
and to make 1t exceedingly clear that
the Issue from now on Is not to be what
kind of a league shall be formed but
whether this nation shall enter into any
league at all.
Senators who have supported Presi-
dent Wilson consistently even when he
proposed the covenant which has been
changed in the last conferences are con-
fldent that these changes will lead to
ratification. Opponents of the league
while not voicing their opinions as to
ultimate success or failure, are prepar-
ing to draw the line cleanly and to wage
their fight in the future against entrance
into any league at all. Senator Borah
Udaho), who has been the bitter OPP
ponent OF any league, said tonight to his
mind the issue Is plain. ut Is now
question Of no league, said he.
Telegraphing from his home in Spo-
kane. Senator Poindexter found almost
as many flaws in the modified covenant
as he did In the one originally presented
and Is counted upon to oppose ratifica-
ton to n finish. Just how Senators
Lodge (Mass). Knox (Pa) and sew
eral others who have taken n leading
part in the effort to defeat the original
plan will look upon the modified proposal
was not known here tonight. These
Senators are not in Washington and no
one here could speak for them with
authority.
Some OBJECTIONS Possible.
That there may he OBJECTIONS from the
thirty-nine Senators who signed the
Lodge resolution protesting against the
original league Ia not doubted, but the
Senators who feel that the league plan is
fundamentally wrong are now convinced
that the new covenant cannot obtain the
two-thirds of the Senate necessary to
approval.
1t is certain that Pacific coast Sena-
tors will oppose the covenant unless It
Is clear that the immigration question
has been safeguarded 80 that Japan can
not send immigrants to this country.
even though their opposition might en-
danger the entire pact. Senator Cham
berlaln (Ore.) said to-day that while he
did not believe the league would prevent
wars In the future. he saw no harm in
IT, but would not support 1t II the i'm
migration question were not safe
guarded.
PERSONALLY" said Senator Chamber
lain. 81 do not believe any league can be
effective unless the nations in 1t can re-
sort to force to compel obedience and
the United States cannot be a party to
such league, because 1t means giving
up the power to declare war which the
Constitution vests in Congress. But II
the reports from Paris are correct. I
think with the changes made there is
nothing TO fear In the league"
Borah Finds Objections.
Senator Borah in a statement said:
1t is difficult TO discuss in detail
the effect of the changes in the proposed
constitution In view OF the fact that We
have not the language of the instru-
ment but only some ones constr1Ic-
ton. When we remember the construc-
ton which was placed upon the instru-
ment before We are not sure that the
construction is one which It is safe to
follow.
But II would seem first that the
proposed league would commit US 10
alliances with European and Asiatic
Powers and oblige us to take part in
the ordinary conflicts and turmoils Of
Europe.
Second, that we still assume the ire
mendous obligation of guaranteeing the
territorial integrity and political indepen-
dence Of all nations members OF the
league, and the argument is that all ma
lions ultimately aTe 10 become members
OF the league so that we will guarantee
the territorial integrity of all nations
Third. that under the voting arrange
ments OF the league control OF the en-
tire machinery of the league remains in
European and Asiatic Powers.
Fourth, tho provisions for diearma-
ment are wholly ineffective. There is
really no provision for disarmament
whatever. The whole matter OF dissrm-
ament rests as it is now with the judy
| ment and discretion Of each nation, that
il, each nation determines for itself
to what extent 1t will disarm. OF course
that is no disarmament at all.
Monroe Clause Inadequate.
Fifth, II the jurisdiction and power
OF the executive council remains the
same az heretofore then the language
preserving the Monroe Doctrine is in
appropriate and wholly inadequate.
Sixth, the league still falls TO pro-
vide any machinery for the application
OF the principle OF self-determinaton
without which there never can be peace.
Until this principle Is fully recognized
and the machinery for its peaceful APP
! plication provided for any league OF
| nations would be simply a vast machine
based upon military power 10 Cypress
| and hold in subsection all small nations
and TO sterilize all progress
Seventh, it still fails to provide any
check or control whatever upon the
purpose OF the people over the five or
nine men within whose unlimited and
underlined discretion rests the question
of peace or war Ii sull remains not
a league OF peoples, not league of free
nations. but Il league OF diplomats, OF
officials, OF imperialists, II still leaves
It In the power OF those five or nine
men assuming now that we are going &c
| live up to the provisions OF this league
to commit us to war,
Harding Is disappointed.
These are some of the things whicl
seem still to inhere in the proposed
league and this being so ! could no
and would not support H. Indeed
| think tha reaI ISsue IN now formal ant