The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-07
BORAH, THOMAS AND
REED REVEAL PERILS
Continued from First Page.

and to the Constitution OF the United
States would be difficult to imagine.
This Is not league of nations at
ALL" said Mr.. Borah, but n league OF
diplomats, with the diplomats of five
great Powers-Japan. Italy, France, the
United States and Great Britain. sitting
behind closed doors and deciding the
fate of the world.
1T is impossible for the league TO re-
store reason where passion has RACED
for three centuries and those who have
wrecked Europe for three hundred years
now ask absolute control. The Holy
Alliance offered TO do something OF this
sort once upon time, and the first
thing II did was TO destroy the freedom
OF the press, and the second thing 1t did
was to destroy free government.
IF this League or Nations Is to make
decisions respecting the fate of the world
these decisions should be put to vote
of the men who did the 1shting"
Unusual interest was attached to the
dinner because, outside OF the debate
in the Senate Of the United States 1t
offered the first forum for speakers OF
the first rang to set before the people
of the country the actual character of
the British Wilson proposal. Hitherto,
the President. in two opportunities, the
one at Boston the day he returned to
this country. and the other on Tuesday
night In the Metropolitan Opera House,
had sought to defend the league but
had accomplished little more than a de-
nrnciation of Its opponents. The OPP
ponents had had no public opportunity.
The Arts and Sciences dinner was. there
fore. the first Of a series OF meetings at
which the British Wilson league consti-
tutivn will b. exposed by men that have
made a study OF Its Articles.
Oratory Late In Starting.
The Society of Arts and Sciences could
not divest itself of that immemorial
slothfulness which Is the bane of public
banquets. A we'll intentioned desire to
get the important discussions started
early came to nothing, and It was twenty
five minutes to 10 o'clock before Mr.
OGorman was introduced as POSTMASTER
by DR.. John F. Tucker. the managing
director Of the society. AT the speakers
table with Mr.. O'Gorman were the four
guests OF honor. Senators Borah, Thomas
and Reed. George Wharton Pepper, Job
e. Hedges. Charles r. Flint, Gen. Cole
man du Pont. William L. Lyall and
others. while in the boxes were George
Gordon Battle, John Markell Robert L.
Cox. Frank A. Munsey. w. Z. Trimble
and others with their parties. The floor
itself was so congested that the walters
aisles.
''Ths proposal" said Mr.. O'Gorman.
Introducing the topic of the League OF
Nations, s one OF the most vital ever
presented to this country. 1t Is not sur
prfsing that We have divided public
opinion. But our countrymen are begin
ming to study and to consider this ques-
tion IN all its phases. They are begin
ming to realize that within the pages OF
Ia I'll
which would involve this country in
every disastrous conflict, n every desc
lating war in any part of the world that
may affect any nation associated with
the league. Our people are beginning
10 realize that nations. like indiv duals
pursue the wisest policy when they mind
their own business. The situation is
serious one and well calculated to exc tie
the fear and anxieties OF every lover of
his country.
Asked to Surrender Independence.
Americans realize that we are now
asked to confer a power upon foreign
Governments which will enable them to
control the future destiny of the United
states We are asked in this proposed
league to surrender our independence to
abandon that system OF government
which has made us the freest the richest,
tHc HOSt prosperous people on the race
of the earth. The people want to know
the reasons that will make that flag OF
ours fall from It's high estate. and pa
triotic minds may we'll be pardoned the
fear and apprehension that II that day
occurs II will mark the beginning Of the
decline of the American republic"
Mr. O'Gorman euloezed the character
and public services OF Senators Borah,
Reed and Thomas saying he knew of no
oil hatt tn to
or any other question affecting the safety
Of the nation. Then he introduced
George Wharton Pepper.
The Philadelphia said he didn't in
tend to make a speech or to deliver an
argument-thnt his purpose was to state
n point of view. He supposed that 1.-THE
excellent minister of one of our churches
had called a parlor meeting to propose
league OF neighbors. which would tell
every neighbor what his conduct ought
to be. with an obligation upon every
neighbor to accept the decision or get
out of town He supposed that every
body including all the women, clapped
their hands, said "Oh. isn't that fne?'
and adopted the motion of n kind faced
man that the minister be chosen first
president of the league. But the father
Of two boys killed at Chateau Their
ry got up in this parable by Mr.. Pep
per. and despite Kisses, put number
of questions, which exposed the folly and
Stiffness OF the we'll meant proposal,
whereupon, according to the parable the
enlightened nefghbors resolved that the
organization was really a league to pro-
mote trouble, and went home to mind
their own business after applauding the
comment OF one neighbor regarding the
Cbjector I'VE really owe a debt OF graf
itude TO that wise old man. lie kept us
out OF war"
For some reason the 1900 and odd
liners Laughed unanimously over this
concluding sentence by Mr.. Pepper. and
then settled down to hear Senator
Thomas Of Colorado,
Women Also Participate.
The projectors of the dinner, which
was described as non-part!san affair,
stated that l.400 persons were present
Perhaps there were a few less in the
beautiful banquet hall OF the Pennsyl-
vanla, but at all events II was an I'M
usually large audience and one that
manifested the keenest interest In the
tremendous subject under discussion. 1t
was feast also in which the women
folk participated, In which they dis
played as much intent interest as the
men. In the list of persons given out by
the dinner committee occurred these
names:
John b. Stapchneld. Job T.. Hedges.
Charles Strauss. Justice Edward w.
Fatch, Frank Lewisohn, Mrs. William A.
leeds, state Senator Albert Ottinger,
Mrs. Archibald Shaw, 7. c. du Pont. VIII
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