Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-02-20
HEAVY Guns ARE:
TURNED LOOSE ON
LEAGUE; SENATORS
SPEAK HARSHLy
Reed Of Missouri Joins With
Prominent Republicans in
Sweeping Condemnation, of
Constitution Now Framed.
WAR DEPARTMENT AGAIN
ALLEGED INCOMPETENT
Jas, Hamilton Lewis Defends
Administration Against All
Charges of IneffiCienCy; De-
bate to Continue.

lsY sosslNe JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wiREl
Washington, Feb. 19.-Vigorous
criticism of the proposed constitution
of the league of nations was voiced
today in both houses of congress.
Speaking for three hours before
crowded galleries, Senator PoindeX-
ter of Washington, republican, pre-
cipitated a discussion in the senate
which embraced other subjects and
consumed practically the entire ses-
sion However, there was no for
NAL reply to the Washington senator
from the democratic side.
Discussion in the house was uneX-
pected and was not general Just
as the members were settling down
for a night session, Representative
Fess of Ohio, chairman of the re-
publican congressional campaign
committee, delivered a carefully pre-
pared address in which he took up
the constitution section by section
and denounced the whole as abridg-
ing the sovereignty of the United
States and containing vicious pos
sibilities
The addresses by Senator PoindeX-
ter and Representative Fess were
the first prepared ones made in con
gress since the constitution of the
league was published and since Pres
ident Wilson requested that discus
sion be postponed until he could con-
fer with members of the senate and
house foreign affairs committee at
the White House next week.
Senators Speak sharply.
When Representative Fess conclud-
ed there was no further discussion
In the house, but during Senator
faI,
cock of Nebraska, Republican Leader
sylvania and Brandegee of Cennec
ticut, all members of the foreign re-
lations committee, briefly interjected
comment on questions involved in the
league. Senator Reed of Missouri,
democat, spoke in criticism of the
proposal and also vigorously de-
nounced delay in demobilizing Ameri
can troops. Senator Shafroth of Col
orado, democrat, in defending the
war department after Mr.. Reeds at
tack, spoke briefly in support of the
league charter declaring it would
stop nine-tenths of future wars.
During the day Senator Borah of
Idaho, republican member of the for
eign relations committee who yes
terday announced his refusal to at
tend the White House conference,
made public a letter he had written
former President Taft, a leading sup
porter of the league plan, asking Mr..
Taft whether he would support an
amendment to the tentative constitu-
tion to provide specifically for main
tenance of the Monroe doctrine.
More Speeches Ahead.
Resumption of attacks on the
league tomorrow in the senate is in
l. tsN
speak but may defer his address un-
til Friday Senator Cummins of
Iowa, republican, also is preparing
an address for delivery later this
week, and Senator Reed gave formal
notice today that he would discuss
the league on Saturday. Senator
Hitchcock also is planning an early
reply to the critics of the league.
Senator Poindexter in his address
today declared that the league char
ter confiicted with the constitution
of the United States and meant not
only surrender of American sover-
eighty to European nations, but also
abandonment of the Monroe doctrine
He also declared the league plan in
volved Colossal burden of en-
tangling alliance" and would breed
instead of prevent wars.
The Washington senator particu-
larly attacked the provisions of the
league charter for disarmament and
manufactures. Referring to the pres
ident's request that debate be post
poned, Senator Poindexter declared
the subject was too vitally important
to permit postponement of discussion.
Object to League Provisions.
Interrupting the Washington mem
ber Senator Reed suggested that the
leagues executive council would b.
composed of eight non-American
members-possibly enemies-and that
its mandatory clause would require
the United States to furnish troops in
suppressing nationalistic uprisings in
Canada, Ireland, Australia and other
countries.
In his first public comment on the
league charter Senator Lodge de-
clared he was convinced the provis-
ions of mandatories would be COM
pulsory upon signatory nations.
Disputing Senator Poindexters
statement that this was the first time
any attempt had been made to re-
strict congressional power, Senaor
Hitchcock cited the Canadian bound
airy treaty, with its prohibition against
naval forces in boundary water, a
precedent of direct restriction" upon
congressional power over armament
Senator Knox declared the precedent
applied only to boundary matters,
while Senator Brandagee said the
treaty validating the league could not
be set aside. as could be done IN the
case of other treaties.
War Department Scored.
After Senator Poindexter had con-
cluded Senator Reed deplored delay
in conclusion of peace treaty which
would make possible the early return
Of American overseas forces and de-
clared much valuable time had been
"frittered away at Paris In discus
it,Crtinuad an 10 po TsUn x