The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-10-25
OPPOSED LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Martin S. Villas of Burlington Talked
to Small Audience.

THE league of nations is not perma-
nently and fundamentally league to
enforce peace but an alliance between
certain nations, of which the FIVE prin-
cipal nations that conquered Germany,
Austria and Turkey form the nucleus,
for purposes of self protection and hold
to the pelf and plumber wrung from
Germany by the iron-clad terms of the
peace treaty. These are the words OF
Martin s. Villas of Burlington, state
senator for Chittenden county, who
last night spoke at the Barre opera
house on the league Of nations. His
audience was small The message was
delivered in forceful language, and
clearly.
1t is Mr.. Villas belief, after having
investigated the matter, that it is not
a peace treaty but an alliance of these
victorious countries, with the exception
of the United States, to hold their pos
sessions gained during the war from
Germany. The United States alone, he
declared, had asked for nothing and
had received nothing save an immense
European debt and lost thousands of
her most loyal lads She entered the
war to make the world safe place for
democracy and not for self protection,
as it is found that the other nations in
this alliance have schemed to do.
The council, the principal governing
body, is composed of representatives
from nine nations, while the subordi-
nate council, known as the assembl2ge,
is composed of the same number of
representatives from each country
Every self governing state or domain
is entitled to one representative in each
house; consequently the United States
would have but two representatives to
voice her sentiments in the league of
nations.
On the other hand, Great Britain has
in the assembly six votes under that
provision Of the covenant allowing
'any fully self-governing state, domain
or colony not named in the annex" to
to become a member Of the league. Be-
sides, Great Britain practically con
trols the votes of three or four other
nations. These votes would inevitably
be used against the United States in
the event that she has an antagonistic
position.
Senator Villas assailed Great Britain,
for it is his belief that England is max
ing strong endeayor to gain even fur
ther dominions. England, he remarked,
is at the present time hand in hand
with Japan, with whom she has a Sc
cret alliance.
Assuming that the United States had
signed the treaty, what could be done
if Japan with her modernly equipped
battle cruiser escorted several steamers
loaded with Japanese TO our American
shores and here disembark them; or
suppose the Monroe doctrine was in
yolved. In the event of this matter
being discussed at the league of ma
tions, England, he said would natural
ly cast her votes in favor of her ally
and the United States, unit of the
league, could do nothing but wait until
the council formulated some plans and
if these failed, receive advice, proposals
or recommendations, unless she sbroke
her alliance with all the other coun
tries and in doing this she would auto
maticaIly make the remainder Of the
world her enemies. 1t is a world known
fact that the Monroe doctrine is not
favored by the old European countries.
Why didn't the conquering nations
deal with China, concerning Shantung,
as was done with France and Belgium
Japan. in Mr.. Villas opinion, is one of
the most cruel and perfidious nations
of the world, and is to be feared be-
cause of the fact that night and day
she is ineessantly building up her army
and navy. If we join the league we
agree to aid Japan to keep China from
getting back Shantung, which before
the war was governed by Germany
This matter of league of nations
is not a new idea; it is l0l years old.
After the wars in which Napoleon fig
ured with Austria and Germany, an
alliance, termed the Holy alliance, was
formed and signed by these countries;
but since that time so wars have been
made in Europe In those so not a
single American has lost his life unless
by voluntary service, for the diplomats
of the States in those days were faith
full adherents to the teachings Of their
forefathers, and though they were
urged to join this treaty refused to do
so.