Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-29
DECLARES covenant
OR PACT MUST DIE
Sen ator Thomas Asserts League
and "Peace Of Force
Are in Conflict
GAY DEFENDS TREATY

Washington, July 2S.-Expressins
doubt as to the merits Of the league OF
nations and pointing out that either the
league covenant or the peace OF force
with which it is linked must in the end
perish. Senator Thomas. Democrat,
Colorado, told the Senate today he had
reached no final decision as to the treaty
Of Versailles. :,
While hoping that the great war had
so uplifted human morality and intel
lcct as to make permanent peace pos
sible. Senator Thomas said he could
see mo evidence Of such a change.
"The world is today more turbulent,
and scarcely less bloody. than before
the signing of the armisticc. he con
tinued, 1.-THE people of no nation on
earth seem inclined either to peace or TO
the arts of peace. The passions and
d;scontent of man rock the earth.
Force Alone Checks Germans
'wars cannot be averted by any
plaps, leagues or precautions unless tn"
minds Of men become aversr to war !;
and I am unable to accept the theory
and moderate by treaty regulations. l
make 10 plea for Germany. She rrchlF
merits every requirement when the
treatv has imposed upon hcr. But IN"
Germans are human beings. inspired nH
human impulses. They have not a"-
ccnted this treaty. 1t will be respected
only 60 long as the allied powers con
dictate.
"Nv study Of the causes OF human
strife have convinced me. much against
nv ipclinations. that the optimism ot
those in times past and Of those no"
living regarding the establishment OF
nermenant international relations of any
sort must prove disappointing. nm
also aware that we cannot return TO the
old conditions and expect to avoid the
old consequences.
.'Hepce this address is not plea for
treaty rejection. 1t may he better IN
operation than II seems in theory.
have read the draft of the league many
times. and ! am not yet prepared to
mass final Judgment upon its merits.
League and Treaty Divergent
"But I have learned that a league
for peace is the unwelcomc companion
of peace of force. Their ways are
divergent. their objects antagonlstrc'
their details inconsistent. The league.
inspired by unselfish and uplifting i'm
pulses, typifes peace and reconcilia-
tion. The treaty, based upon passion
md self interest. cmbodies SUPPRESSION
reparation. indemnities. partition. pun
ishment. The league proposes pan
for n new order in world affairs; the
treaty perpetuates the old order.
1.-The treaty is doubtless the best that
the conflict of ideals and interests could
! have produced But its contcnding e'e-
mepts cannot coeXist. for they are
mutually destructive. If the conditions
of the treaty persist, the league Will
nerish. If the covenant survives. the
treaty must temper its harsher features
To conform with the mission of the
league.
''If I could write a covenant Tor
league to enforce peace, | would, bear :
ing in mind the arbitration treaties OF
1913, and continuing allied association
for treaty enforcement, conhne 1t 10
the English speaking nations and colo =
nies of the world. Theirs are the insti-
tutions of free men, theirs the wealth,
the commerce If they cannot save
the world it is past all redemption.
Gay Supports League
The league of nations was praised II
the Senate today by Senator Gay, Dem
ocrat, Louisiana. as 1.-THE practical ap
plicat ton of the principles of the Amer
len government to the problem OF re
construction of the world under tn
clearest and best adjustment of govern
mental affairs ever put in operation
since the Divine Master came TO eartl
and preached the gospel of peace AM
good will to all men
The speaker eulogized President vii
son for his efforts at the Peace Confer
ence and declared the sentiment an
best interests of the country demande
ratification of the peace treaty, leavin
to the future the adjustment of any de
fects.
"Article Y. the heart of the league
has been more bitterly attacked per
hans than any other. This is an agree
ment to preserve and protect each Othe
against external aggression. We her
depart. as is absolutely necessary. from
the policy of exclusiveness. Article
will prevent the grabbing of territor.
by greedy nations. L, for one. believ
that Article y will have more inhuenc
IN the prevention of wars than ap,
other article of the covenant