Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-02-26
CUMMlNS Tells
why HE WOULD
NOT VOTE YES
Declares There is More Bad
Than Good in Constitu-
ton Of League.

I washington, 6eO. I6.-Wnlle Oe-
claring his full sympathy with the
peace tribunal, Senator Cummins of
Iowa, Republican. asserted in ar adj
dress today in the senate that he was
opposed to the proposed constitution
OF the league Of nations because he
believed some of it's provisions would
strike at American sovereignty.
Senator Cummins said the league
form a world nation" with poly
Elot and incoherent powers which
would submerge the American repub-
lie. He urged speedy conclusion Of
a peace treaty with Germany and i'm
mediate Inauguration of RECONSTRUCT
ton work to avert unrest.
The Iowa senator expressed APP
prevail of any of. the provisions of the
tentative charter Of the world league.
Those he attacked deal with submis-
sion of national questions. disarma-
ment and provision for manufactures
and for reciprocal territorial guar
antees.
Would Vote "No."
There is some good in it (the pro-
Cummins. There is more that is
bad in it. AS now proposed I would
In presenting definite proposals
for a league which he declared could
be formed without n surrender Of
American sovereignty. Senator Cum
Minis said:
First, we ought to agree. and all
other nations ought to agree, that
justifiable disputes those issues
which can be determined by the APP
plication Of recognized aw to estab-
lished facts-should be settled either
by arbitration or adjudication: and
we ought to agree, n all other ma
lions ought to agree. without equivo-
cation or reserve that we will abide
by and perform the award Of judg-
ment.
Second, we ought to agree and all
other nations ought to agree that
with respect to other international
disputes war shall not be made until
some permanent, regular. information
al body shall have a fair opportunity
to discuss and examine it. Upon such
questions there should be no award
be confined to moral influences which,
time. thought and free discussion
will awaken.
Third, il any nation should refuse
to submit a proper controversy to
judgment or refuse to perform the
Judgment when rendered. or refuse
Ito delay war, I am willing to agree
LAI0I oSkA oSA0tk4 snail No = PSlAo4ky IA,
flicted.
Fourth. the compact should con.
tain q program of disarmament, and
after all. in disarmament lies the hope
OF permanent peace. The constitu.
ton proposed is most disappointing
in this regard, for a careful study
gives US little right to believe that
there will be any disarmament among
the strong powers"
Provisions Conflict.
The Iowa senator said the proposed
constitution would "neutralize all the
benefits Of a peaceful settlement OF
dispute between nations. tend to de-
stroy the national structure and com
nit the United, States to a cours.
disaster" Some Of the provisions. HI
asserted. were in direct conflict witt
the United States constitution anc
under the charter this nation would
cease Ito be distinct"
Analysing the principal provision.
of the leagues constitution, Senator
ICummins said article ten. providing
territorial and political independents.
Of states, is 'the most destructiv.
unit and distraction proposal evel
submitted. r
1T will be rejected with a storm
obloquy." he declared. Eve are sol
emily asked to guarantee that thu
boundaries of nations. as they nov
exist or when the peace conferenc,
has redrawn the map of Europe, Asia
Africa and Oceanica. shall remain
without change forever"
The leagues provision for man
datories was attacked by Mr.. Cum
Minis as "the grossest violation of GU
powers under the constitution"
1T is all too absurd to contem'
plate" he said. when the Ameri
can people reflect upon such a pro
posal they will reject it with all tn.
Iemphasis of unamity."
Article fifteen of the charter, Sen
ator Cummins said, would require
submission Of domestic questions tt
the league. which. he added, is in
credible. He cited as an example thu
American policy Of Chinese and Jap
anese exclusion as a. question which
would be left to the league council