Arizona republican., 1919-02-25
RETIRE NDUM TO
 BE INVOKED UPON LEAGUE QUESTION
Lewis Answers Reed and Borah- Suggests People Will Be Asked to Decide Lunden Introduces Bill Proposing Settlement By National Vote

WASHINGTON. Feb. 2t.-The first address in the senate in defense of the uroposed constitution of the league of nations. was delivered today by Sen ator Lewis of Illinois, democratic whip. who took issue with the recent criu- Cims made by Senators Borah of Idaho. republican. and Reed. Missouri, demo- Crat
 Speaking for nearly two hours, Sen utor Lewis denied contentious of op- ponents of the league that it would ab- rorate the Monroe doctrine; that 1t was a departure from the principles Of Washington and Jefferson; that it would dictate world armament, and that America would be outvoted by the United Kingdom An immense over flow audience listened intently Co the speech and generously applauded when the Illinois senator concluded.
 Senator Lewis address is to be fol- lowed soon by many other discussions of the league. Senator owen of Okls homa. democrat, and Cummins of Iowa. republican. will speak Wednesday, and tho debate is expected to continue daily until congress atjourus. one week from tomorrow. Senator sherman of Illinois republican. announced that he would make an address Monday.
 Asks National Referendum
 In the house today Representative Lunden of Minnesota. republican in truduced a resolution proposing a na- tional referendum on the league. to be called by the secretary of state within SO days ot it's formal submission to tho senate. The proposal for an eX- pression of popular opinion on the league was referred Co by Senator Lewis in concluding his remarks:
 "tt will he before the American people" the Illinois senator said. The people will pass on this document in the form of 60 treaty through their rep resentativcs. But it also will have the added advantage, in that its distin- clished champion win go to his coun- trymen with the truth. and they will approve of his undertakings, as they have everything with which he has gone to them. Yes the people will de- eide"
 Senator Reed spoke briefly when Senator Lewis concluded. He said that if the Illinois members argument was correct. the league would not have power to limit armament and added: "lf that Is the case. the chief arsu- ment for the league is withdrawn and the chief reason for Its existence does not appear to exist
 Lewis Answers Opponents
 Senator Lewis digressed greatly from his prepared address. He ana lvzed In detail the arguments of Sen ator Borah and Reed. and also declared that in May, 1916. Republican Leader Lodge had spoken in support of the league plan. Replying tO the argument that the league would contravene the Monroe doctrine. Senator Lewis de- clared that hy the very plan of the society. thc world would guarantee that doctrine. He also declared there was no ground for assertions that kings and cmpcrOrs would control the league, for assuming that the central and south American republics would be members on equality wfr~ British colonies. the American republics could outvote the European nations.
 "lt must be plain.' said Mr. Lewis that senators have read this document in a way that greatly mislead them"
 Senator Lewis said he could not con ceive and refused Co assume that the principal Latin-American countries would not have equal representation with Great Britain's colonies, and as serted that senators had misconstrued the league charter by assuming that the executive council instead of the league itself would control its policies
 The Illinois senator also declared na lions could submit to the league only questions which they considered were matters for it's Jurisdiction.
 When Senator Lewis concluded. the applause was SO insisteut that Vice President Marshall issued a sharr warning Co spectators in the galleries declaring they were acting like bol- sheyild" in violating rules against ap, plause. and that he would clear the galleries at the next demonstration.