Norwich bulletin., 1919-02-20

Washington, Feb. l9.-CfltlclSIn VI
the constitution of the league OF ma
tions was opened in the house late
today with an address by Representa-
tive Fess of Ohio. republican, who
declared the league plan was mon
strous' and filled with vicious possi-
bilities."
Just as soon as the American peo-
pie shall grasp the vicious posslbll1-
ties herein included" said Mr.. Fess,
there will be such a revolution OF |
sentiment aroused that any man VINO |
will subscribe to this perpetual sur /
render of this republics future to a |
vote of foreign nations will be, as he |
should be, repudiated as an enemy to |
the spirit and genius of American in |
stitutions."
Representative Fess said one of the |
principal objections to the league plan
was that it made possible five votes
for the United Kingdom against one
for the United States by permitting
! self governing dominions or colonies
| to become Independent members
| THE sovereignty of the United
States" continued the Ohio member,
will be transferred completely to a
group of European powers by mere
! vote of the league that matters under
consideration by it might lead to
war.
"The executive council, which is to
be the real agency of the league to
enforce its findings, is to ne limited
to nine members, one each from the
United States, France, Great Britain,
Italy and Japan, and one each from
four other states to be selected by
the body of delegates. The decisions
of each body, delegates or executive
council, are by a majority vote, so that
in all cases the findings of the council
will be determined by five members.
In other words, any five of the nine
voting together can bind the United
States without consent to any matter
falling within the province Of the
league.
: No matter how much the people of
the United States may wish to avoid
mixing in Europe-Asiatic politics, any
five of the nine members can fix the
responsibility upon this country.
l Moreover, any group of five of the
: nine can fix the character of our de-
/, fensive program as the question Of
the size of armament large or small,
Of any member of the league is apt
Il to this vote by article eight"
Mr.. FesS said the most dangerous
feature of the proposed constitution
to his mind was the provision which
would make the United States con-
= stituent part of league which would
e exercise supreme authority through (
body of delegates, without name o.
o number. each of whom would have
equal authority in all matters which
would come before it affecting thiE
: country.
g The matters of consideration are
not defined and therefore not limit
= ed he said. IF the Monroe doctrine
1t is included in the judgment of a ma
iority of the members, what recourse
n have we after We have entered the
It leag que, which speaks by a majority
= vote? If immigration is included, ac-
1t cording to a majority of the league
what is our defense? If tariff i:
q included, according to the Judgment o.
: the majority, what have we left bu
e to surrender or commit a breach O.
= covenant?"
l. Mr.. Fess criticized articles of thu
league constitution which he said re
quired abrogation of existing treatie!
inconsistent with the league charter.
: This means if treaty now exist:
: between us and Japan inconsisten
= with the judgment of the league, al
I expressed by any five of the nine, i
= must be abroSated,' said Mr.. FesS
u THE question of European immi
grafton ale will fall under this au
, thority and our laws of limitation in
/ | consistent with what a majority o
e this league shall find must be abro
u gated.
l. Can we be sure that questions o
an American merchant marine vii
> not fall under a vote of European
=. countries which quite naturally vii
i prefer to keep the monopoly of thi
lt particular activity"
y Mr.. Fess also objected to article
IL of the constitution, which he sal
: would give the league certain power
- over the commerce of the nation
II which composed it.
= This article, read in the light c
article 20, which looks to a permanen
le international labor bureau, tn
speaker said, will show the settle
plans of placing the matter of on
l. own commercial standing and of leg
D islation looking to maintenance {
L American standards under a group {
u /, European countries.
:, THE moment this authority
H. granted we will hear democratic FIRE
10 t1ade politicians demand that all pre-
v tective legislation be repealed on Il
basis that to favor an American star
dard not reached by Europe is nj
within the authority of this natio
IN because by this covenant we HAY
e surrendered any such authority v
lis may have had to the bindings of Il
'm league of nations of which we are
re responsible party"