The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-02-19
INSTRUMENT OF PEACE

INSTRUMENT. OF PEACE
"Instead of being an instrument Of
peace, it is the fertile seed of war,
the dragons tooth from which armed
soldiers will SPRING
Through participation in the draft
ing Of the league constitution lie de-
clared the United States had been led
to Il point where 1--WE are now facing
an abyss" If the senate should ,ratffy
the proposed constitution, and sane
tion the entrance of the states into a
league Of nations without submission
Of the question to the American people
in a political campaign, 80 they may
render Judgment in an election" the
self government in America will have
disappeared. ..,t3ft,,5 Ei.
a,5j.u FACING CRISIS sg g.t
lg In adopting Or rejecting this constl-
tuition said Mr.. Foindexter and thereby
becoming or not becolsing me1l.s.l
Of the league, the government and peo.
pie of Sthest] United States Will. determine
whether they are to remain a grent
sovereign nation. "a people dctermin-
tSsIt ss$4s ayh Ind tpe estp1,s sls e
ing fl fhsmSalvA o}heffl Internal :onrl
relati6nss or sWhetkkrtthey are toJuerge
their destinies with those of other ia.
tions OF the world, sharing their bur
dens, participating in their quariels
and becoming party to all interim.
tional complications l.'.;''..l. 4
CRITIC1ZEs WILSON'S REQUEST
Referring to the request Of rresi-
dent Wilson to refrain from discuss
ing the league question, he asserted it
was matter Of "tOo much Importance
for us to remain altogether silent" "
and that mo harm can be done by full
discussion of a document of which the
world was purposedly kept in entire
ignorance" until 1T came forth full
panoplied as though born from the
head of JOve"
NO ABROGATION PROVISION
Taking up the provision of the
leagues constitution. he declared that
thea a0tsinent contained no provisions
for its abrOgation or withdrawal of q
nation. He said doubtless the. Leagues
advocates would contend that the
agreement hight be abfogated ut any
time. ia a$"- Elfa. .Its, ,Nk&. .Ga' 4
BY terms Of the constitution, he con-
tinued, 'the decision as to the rela-
tive reduction Of the army and navy
in the United States in proportion to
that of the great rival powers would
be taken absolutely out of the juris-
diction Of the people and government
Of the United States and invested in
the jurisdiction Of the league, where
the United States has but one vote
amid large number of alien powers" J"
CONFLICTS WITH CONSTITUTION
This in itself. he added. would be
in conflict with the constitution of the
United States.
The power of congress to declare
war would be taken away, also in vio-
1atiOn Of the constitution and we'd
in tribunal 1.-THE great overwhelm-
ing majority of which is composed Of
aliens to our interest and institutions" !"
The league promises little guaran-
tees for future peace. he asserted,
when those who drafted its constitu.
tion have mot been able to restore
present peace or set up. orderly gov
eminent in central Europe or Rus
sia."
ALIEN TRIBUNAL
Declaring the emergencies of the
past may arise, in the future, he said,
he hoped the American people had not
reached the point where they were
willing 'the high ideals Of these ira
ditional doctrines would be left to the
administration Of an alien tribunal es-
tablished under league Of nations. ;"
Crowds thrOnged the senate CALLER
les today to hear Senator Poindexter's
address denouncing the league of ma
tf0ns which he referred to rs the SER
tile seed" of war. He denounced all
alliances proposed under It.
He deplored the delay in drawing
the peace treaty and ending the world
war status. Referring to the assault
on Premier Clemenceau. he paid q
great tribute to the French leader. and
said that he could Ill be spared At
GOVERNOR HARDING Ill.
Carroll, Ia, Ftb. 19.-Governor w.
Il. HAfa33MO m Vw4HN Aho v,nssvn~u - Z.