The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-03-05
Assault on Constitution of Pro
posed League is Partisan At
tack on Wilson:
SAFETY OF THE WORLD
SUBORDINATE TO PARTY
Massachusetts, Senator Makes
Argument in Support of Re-
publican Claims That Monroe
Doctrine is in Danger.

Washington. Feb. 2S.-Republlcan
senator's TODAY returned TO their as
sault on the constitution of the
league of nations as proposed to the
peace conference at Paris with Sen
ator Lodge / Massachusetts,, who
will be chairman Of the powerful for
eiGn relations committee in the new
senate, making his first pronounce
ment since the document became
public
Criticism by the Republicans did
not pass unchallenged. Chairman
Hitchcock for the foreign relations
committee, took sharp issue with the
Massachusetts senator. denounclng as
preposterous his suggestion that the
league would take from America its
right of self defense.
Delivering before crowded floor
and galleries an address he had pre-
pared before attending the White
House dinner conference last We'd
aesdav night, Senator Lodge warned
the American people to consider well
before departing from policies from
Washington. Late in the day Senators
Lenroot of Wisconsin and Freling-
huysen Of New Jersey made addition
al demands for amendment of the
charter
Senator Lodge. speaking before an
audience which included diplomatic
representatives Of several foreign ma
tions. deplored proposals TO give
powers to the league which he said
would cause the Monroe doctrine to
.sdisappear." would abridge AmerI-
can sovereignty and in the end pro-
mote misunderstanding and war in
stead of the peace which the world
so much desired. The Massachusetts
senator assailed especially the provls-
;ons for territorial guarantee nianda-
tories and disarmament. Besides de
manding revisions Of these clauses the
senator declared that domestic ques-
tons such as immigration should be
definitely placed beyond the author
;ty Of the league. He said the entire
constitution was too loosely drawn,
admitting of too wide Interpretation.
He told the senate that for LIN
coins government Of people. by
he people and for the people, the
United State was now asked to sub
stitute on many vital points. gov
ornrrert, Of, for and by other Dco-
,les and declared tbe nation should
nause and consider well before tax
ne this fateful step
''We are asked said the senator
'to move away from George Wash
;ncton toward the other end Of the
':ne at which stands the sinister
seure OF Trotzl;v the champion. of
We must build no
'>ridces across the chasm which now
separates American freedom and or
1er from Russian anrcny' and .destruc- !
ton
Like Senator Lodge. Senator Len
root and Senator FreiinShuysen |
warned against acceptance Of the !
league constitution without arcfui |
and without fit; ,nta'
~oviSion While favorjne "a le que
nat would not conflict with American
principles and sovereignty. Senator
Lenrcot urged th2t as the project is
IN experiment its life be limited to
en- years with provision for renewal
t It proves succossfr!.
Senator Freinghuvsnn disputed
NV assumption thai President VII
on reurescnted puhlic sentiment IN
Proposing participation OF America III
he league and demanded that The
he fully inforued on ~
ahases Of the question before the
senate is asked 10 consider it as Il
,a't OF tie peace treaty.
Debate or the league will con-
:nue tomorrow with addresses ,,y
Knox and S"rato: Hardwicll
# Georgia.