The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-12
LEAGUE DOESN'T
PROVIDE PEACE,
LODGE CHARGES
Emphasizes Force, Not World
Tribunal, He Says.
Calls 1t a "DefOrmed Expert
ment on a NObIer Purpose"
URGES U. S. To KEEP FREE
Can Be of Greater Service to
World, He Asserts.
G.. o. P. Leader Denies He Fa-
vors Isolation Policy, Tho.
Can Be of Greater Service to
World, He Asserts.

Washington, Aug. 12.-Describing
the league of nations as a "deformed
experiment upon a noble purpose"
Senator Lodge of Massa chusetts,
chairman of the foreign relations COM
mittee and Republican leader of the
senate, declared in a senate speech
today that there were features Of tie
league covenant which "as an Ameri-
can" he never could accept.
Creating, not league of peace. but
an alliance embracing many 'provi-
sions for war" the covenant in it's
present form, he asserted, would kill
the Monroe doctrine, nullify any pcs
sibility of withdrawal from member
ship, impair the sovereign power of
deciding domestic questions, and
plunge the United States into every
controversy and conflict on the face
of the globe"
Independence Means Service.
America. independent, can be of
greater service to the world than
America, ''fettered" by the league of
nations, the senator asserted.
by meddling III all the differences
which may arise among mankind, we
simply fritter away our influence and
injure ourselves to no, go0d purpose
said Lodge.
I'VE shall be of far more value to
the world and its peace by occupying,
SO far as possible, the situation we
years and by adhering to the policy of
Washington and Monroe"
Not Policy of Isolation.
Lodge denied this means a policy of
American isolation. That. he said. is
no longer possible, because the United
States became world power at the
time of the war with Spain.
Nobody" said Lodge. expects to
isolate the United States or to make it
a hermit nation. But there is a wide
difference between taking suitable
part in world responsibilities and
plunging our country in every con-
| troversy and conflict on the face of
! the globe. One great element of our
strength in the war just closed was
that we had held aloof and had not
| thrust ourselves into European quar-
rels; that We had no selfish interest" "
! Lodge declared that the league cove
nant, instead of providing for perpet-
ual and universal peace, as its advo-
Gates declare, really sets up an alliance
dominated by three to five great pow
ers, and that it is an alliance, the
principal provisions of which are for
war, and not peace.
Touch Court Only Lightly.
If the league were a peace league
IT should have given more attention
| to establishment of an international
court and less to providing for war in
case of violation of its orders, Lodge
! declared.
The conditions for which this
league provides are political. not Judi
cial," said Lodge. Such being its
machinery, the control being in the
hands of political appointees, whose
votes will be controlled by interest
and expediency, it exhibits the mos
| marked characteristic of an alliance
that its decisions are to be carried out
by force. The development of inter
national law is neglected. The cour
which is 70 decide disputes fills but 6
small space. This league to enforc'
peace does a great deal of enforce
ment and very little for peace"
Lodge declared that so long as arti
Gle 10 remains in its present form
and provisions covering withdrawal
the Monroe doctrine and control o
domestic questions unaltered, he will
not vote for the treaty.