The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1919-02-27

mum.
Tho president emphasized that the
league of nations would place no re-
stfictions on the training of mon. A
policy Of universal military traininE
thus. would not be in violation Of any
agreement entered into by any mem
Der nation. He pointed out, however,
that trained men would be Of little
value to any nation without equipment
and that it was through a check on
equipment that trainers of tho league
9 nations constitution hoped TO so
long way toward eliminating future
wars.
If It is trus that disarmament IS not
binding under the constitution" Soma
tor Borah commented today. then this
league OF nations is not what the peo-
PIE OF the world expected. IT takes tbs
very heart out of the league. and to my
mind makes it Of little value"
President Wilson told his guests ths;
amendment of the constitution agreed
upon BY the Paris committee would he
possible, but difficult. This statement
created much comment. There was
general belief among tbs Etaunchest
supporters OF the league that the con-
stitution would have TO undergo radical
amendment before being finally adopted
b. the peace conference.
IF the league OF nations constitution
IS not ratified there viii be disappoint.
ment throughout the world. President
Wilson said. He spoke OF serious COM
plications that would be likely to result
II some form Of international orEani-
cation were not adopted Renewal of
the war would be almost unavoidable.
he intimated. and revolution IN severs,
Of the allied countries was not impossi
BILE, if peoples were compelled TO return
70 the old order that existed before 1914.
In this connection the president said
he United States must stand b. the
small nations II had encouraged IL
hope FOR Independence. Czccho-Slovskia
Jugo- slavia and Poland. The success
OF the league. he believed would rest
upon the good faith of all the nations
involved. All the nations Of the world
/ he was convinced. would seek member
/ ship in the league when it was cstab
t lished on firm basis.
/ IN any event tho president said. the
nations involved surrender some part
/ Of their sovereignty. This would be
i true also OF the treaty creating the
i league OF nations. The president thu;
admitted one of the points attacked By
the enemies Of the league in the senate
He denied. however. that the crea ton OF
such a league would destroy the Mon
roe doctrine. Instead. he said. It would
be extended to all the world
President Wilson gave no hint OF hin
plans as TO ratification OF the league ~
nations constitution. He was not ask
cd, nor did he volunteer inrorma ton Al
to when the treaty would be res1y n
when he would return from his second
trip abroad.
The discussion that followed the din
ner lacked all the elements Of contro-
versy For this reason some senator's
who received reports OF the function to
day found them Unsatisfactory. Thsr
believed much more valuable inforins
ton would have been brought out had
the opponents Of the league given voics
TO the more serious questions in their
minds. upon which they remained sileas
In the presence of the president.
The discussion continued for only an
hour and a half after the last course
was served Two score Of men attend
Cd Most or them had at least one quo--
ton TO ask and It was fo-1t impossihie
70 get down to the fundamentals or the
project in any orderly fashion.
Although the president removed the
ban Of secrecy and in doing 80 gave his
reply to Senators Borsh ard Fall. who
declined invitations to the dinner be
cause they believed much Of the IN
formation given would have to he held
ia coundencc no senator wished 10 be
quoted directly on What trans pired ~
tho dinner
IL was not formal and it vas not
formidable. one OF tbe most prominent
opponest Of The leaguc commented
briefly. 1--WE didn't get anything thal
the newspaper men did not know sna
had not already printed
Certainly nobodv's mind was changed
I bv The discussion. another opponent as
serted.