Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-06-18
North Dakota Senator
Makes Strong Defense
of Present Covenant.
NOT PERFECT BUT
BEST NOW POSSIBLE
McCumber Seeks to Answer Some OF
Arguments Of Opponents Of World
Peace Covenant a. Adopted At Paris
--5sIittIss Asrsen,snt That United
States 10 Deprived Of Place Of In
fiusnes-Dsbate Indefinite.

Washington. June 1S.-More debate
on the league Of nations was in store
in the senate today.
Altho appropriations constituted the
business technically under considera-
ton, Senator McCumber, Of North Da-
kota, republican member Of the foreign
relations committee, had given notice
of his intention to speak some time
during the afternoon in support OF the
league and it was thought likely the
address would develop a-general dis
cussion.
Senator McCumber replied to argu-
ments presented yesterday by Senator
Knox, republican. of Fennsyivania, VINO
pleaded against accepting the league
until the country had more opportu-
nifty to study it.
The debate thus developing Is expect
ally every day until final action. prob
ably many weeks hence, on ratification
Of the treaty.
1t is probable that Senator Knox
will make no effort to bring up until
Friday his resolution designed to serve
notice that the senate opposes accept
ance Of the league covenant as now
dovetailed with the peace terms. Eth
er Friday or Saturday supporters q;
the resolution expect to try for a, test
vote to show the exact strength Of the
league opposition. The league sup
porters are expected to oppose such 4
move holding a vote on the measure be-,
fore signing Of the treaty would be un.
warranted interference with the peac.
treaty. ssssr.
Mecumber Scores Critics.
Declaring opponents Of the league Of
nations have conducted campaign OF
Misrepresentation and distortion, Sem
ator McCumber, of North Dakota, re,
publican member OF the foreign rela-
tions committee. told the senate today
that the league covenant offered the
only prospect Of preventing future and
more terrible wars.
\ Replying to arguments Of many re-
publican senators he upheld the league
as entirely consistent with the Amer
lean constitution and devoid of any
liability to dangerously entangle or
curtaii American interests.
In twenty yeays Of service in the
senate" said the North Dakota sena-
Tor. I have known but one instrument
whose terms have been so wilfullv
misinterpreted and so grossly misrep
resented as the covenant Of the lea agne
Of nations. 80.
Admits Il Has Weaknesses.
That some Of 1t is vague. know.
ana some portions objectionable from
particular viewpoints. But that II ia
discriminate against us, is unfair In its
treatment of our country, or that i'm
poses on us any obligation or burden
tnat is not equally borne by every 9TH
er nation most emphatically deny II
is regrettable that the mighty power
or eioquence Is u5ed to defane nr,, "a
oistort the true meaning of an fnstruy ..
ment~thc> most important that annaaI-
ca 10 the heart or to the soul OF man
suppose now we refuse to join with
the rest OF the world in some scheme
70 prevent war, what Will i1appene a.
surely as the sun shall rise every great
nation will proceed to devise mems
Tor the wholesale destruction ~ na-
.,ons. SO desperate will the next var
tnat an the hate and all the venom
created by this struggle will be inf
Intestinal compared with the next
And against what race willsalI these
weapons OF death be used2 Against
the white race III
Of course not one Of lls would have
written this covenant just as II has
come to us. But this covenant rem
resents the deliberations or nations It
comes to us as "a compromise COMPACT.
And to secure the support Of this
country special concessions have been
made to us. Our Monroe doctrine s.
by this instrument given world
sanction. T
Denial TO Allegations.
The members Of the league under-
take to preserve the territorial integ-
rity only against external aggression.
It has been asserted in all the false
attacks on this instrument that the
United States would be compelled to
help Great Britain preserve her do
main against her own internal revolu-
tions of rebellinns Mcsshs!!iTiss. Mcsshs!!iTiss .:uniia joe
more false. It is only against externa1
aggression that the league assures Its
| protection.
"re members Of the league agree
to the reduction Of nationaA Aarmament.
We have preached this reduction Of
armaments for years. Now present
to me, II you can, n better or q safer
plan than that provided in this treaty,
or else acknowledge. freely that, we
never intended 70 conform our actA to
our declarations" ~
Referring to charges that the united
states would be at q disad dxantageinth the
league because It has only one vote,
T tho speak SSH the important decis-,
sions would be made--in I the cotincil;
where the only votes would DO one
each for the Ave great powers, with
|unanimous action required to affect 8