The sun., 1919-02-28


some time In the future desire to re-
sumo her former relations with Portugal
suppose that she agreed to accept a
junior Prince OF Portugal, II Portugal
happens TO be monarchy, as her ruler
would the United States as member
OF the League OF Nations still retain her
right to interfere with this arrange
ment? Apply that argument to any
other Latin American country which In
times past was under Spanish DONNA
tion and which might through a peculiar
turn OF circumstances be led to resume
the ancient arrangement Would the
United states still have the authority
TO prevent an extension OF European au-
thority In this hemisphere"
That 10 inconcelvAble,' said the
President.
at might happen" persisted Bran
desee.
Wen, then. II would be very Distress
inE." declared the President.
Most distressing" said Brandeseo
dryly.
Could withdraw From LeaEue.
The conversation shifted and twisted
in accordance with the questions that
occurred to various Senators. II was
Brandeeee again who requested the
President to make clear whether the
United States was privileged to with
draw from the league X II should see
NJ. The President said that was his
Interpretation.
You Will recall" said the Senator.
that similar proposition arose In
this country some years ago after the
States had entered league without
specifying the right OF any to withdraw
and that 1t took four years of bitter
warfare TO settle the point that no State
could withdraw"
The President replied that the casee
were not the same NJ all: that this ar
rangement was wholly voluntary that
II was based upon mutual understanding
and good will that It WAS In the In
terests OF humanity: that in all prob
ability 1t would hold together indeh-
nitely He would not deny, however,
that the possibility Of the United States
desiring to withdraw might arise, In
that case he was sure the United states
could exercise that right.
But said Brandeges, I'VE would 90
into this league as the sponsors guar
antors and protectors OF Poland. Ar
menia and perhaps other small helpless
nations. Could We then withdraw and
leave them helpless and undefended, de-
serted by the very nation that had
promised 70 guard them"
NJ. Wilson's reply was 40 generally
couched that not all Of the Senators who
sought to recall Il this evening could
agree on It's phraseoloey. He repeated.
though. that such An event would be very
distressing, and again Brandegee agreed
that It would be most interesting.
League Ignores Irish Question.
Representative Raesdale Is. c. fred
the Irish shot.
"Mr. President" he inquired. what
does the League OF Nations purpose 10
do az regards Ireland?"
1T was decided said the President.
TO leave the case Of ireland 10 Great
Britain a. a domestic matter outside the
province OF the League OF Nations"
The topic was not pressed.
Representative Temple CPenn) re-
turned to the topic OF how and why the
British draft for constitution OF a
League OF Nations was adopted. Here
as reported by various Senators the
President became elusive. though very
suave. All they extracted from him in
the renewal of the topic was that the
draft British made was virtually the
iuea put IOrWdru py zen jan SUuts OF
South Africa.
Senator Knox pressed home the ques-
ton of probable surrender Of American
sovereignty. The President agreed that
surrender on some points Che did not
specify them) Was to be expected, assert
Ing that no gain could he had unless
something was given W. Mr.. Knox. one
Of the great constitutional lawS ers OF
America wanted TO know what would
happen II the Constitution Of the United
states conf,cted at some vital point viii,
the constitution OF the League OF Nations.
n was then that the President made the
positively startling rejoinder that the
American Constitution would override
the league constitution.
Even some OF the Democrats who had
remained silent glanced at each other
doubtfully or perhaps amaEedly. Here
was the President saying with one voice
that the constitution OF the supsrs,ate
must he hnai and in the next breath a.
serting that whenever a pinch came an
article, which conhic.ed with the Con-
sttution Of the United States could he
disregarded. Senator Brandeeee was re-
minded OF that say OF Macaulay's
essayed TO prove A thing was true be-
| cause the facts were against Il.
The foregoing embodles the principal
IN cts OF the celebrated dinner They are
offered directly from the fresh recollec-
ton Of half a dozen most eminent sem
stors. all OF whom agree on the essen
tlals. II may be euetses. therefore. what
turmoil opinion in Washington is
now in.
Vi iIson Opposes Amendments.