Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-02-22
EED DENOUlVCES
NATIONS LEAGUE.
| in The SENATE
epublicarl Attacks Sup,
ported by Missouri Dem
ocratic Senator.

III Washington, Feb. 22.-Support for
SAe Republican attacks in the senate
pon the proposed league of nations
SAme from the Democratic side to-
lay when Senator Reed of Missouri,
E. Democrat, delivered a prepared ad-
3ress In denunciation of the plan.
Free American government, Sena-
gkor Reed asserted, would through the
lleague be largely displaced by gov
3ernment controlled by European
ssMonarchs and Asiatic despots." We
Eeupported the charge of Senator
64Borah of Idaho, Republican, that the
saeague would abrogate the Monroe
Noctrine, involve America in all world
S9Eonflicts and compel submission of
INITIAL American questions to foreign
M England, senator Reed asserted,
Virtually would dominate the league
2nd on all questions, he insisted, the
gGnited States would be overwhelm-
aAngly outvoted.
S# Denouncing the league as a move
s}nent of internationalism. Senator
Need asserted that the "Fangs'' of
4 #Bolshevism were plainly visible in the
g4eague constitution. The provision re-
N6uiring America to fight foreign wars,
HE said, was "monstrous."
Plans Conflict Says Reed.
sM The league charter, Senator Reed
fAlso declared, plainly conflicted with
The American constitution, but he said
Me would reserve discussion of that
@point till some future time.
Il 'Shall we surrender with pen what
Washington gained by his sword
asked the senator.
''Shall we repudiate the nationalism
under which we have become the first
people of the earth, for the doubtful
experiment of irfternationalism?
"Shall we make our government OF
the people, by the people, and for the
people, a government partly by the
people and partly by kings and en-
perors.
"The answer to these questions is
involved in the acceptance or rejec-
tion of the proposed constitution OF
the league Of nations. &
"A situation SO tragic demands
the attention of every loyal citizen OF
the republic.
"America entered this war a COM
plete sovereign. She acknowledged
no master. She was the arbiter of
her own destiny. A victor in the war
shall she nevertheless emerge mere
constituent state of a league dominat-
ed by European monarchies and
Asiatic despots?
Shall our nationalism be stricken
down and for it substituted an inter-
nationalism? Shall our independent
democracy come under the control
either IN whole or in part Of foreign
n1onarchs or. foreign Bolsheyik 2? ~ & & d
Former President Taft's support OF
the league was criticised by Senator
Sherman of Illinois, Republican. in q
furry on the senate floor before Sens
ator Reed spoke. Senator Sherman
prAoarfo1 1offor frny,o oopofif,iont
in which Mr.. Taft's position was as
sailed and his political record ridi-
culed to the manifest amusement OF
senators and the overflowing gal
leries. .,s IFS ~
Criucises Letter. st
Senator. Ashurst. of Arizona, Demo
crat, sharply criticised reading of the
letter, declaring it made Mr.. Taft an
"object of ridicule." @
This, is no way to conduct debate
on this league of nations" said Mr.
Ashurst. Although never agreed
with Mr.. Taft politically, for four
States, and an honest, patriotic gen.
tleman. believe that when the years
go by and we see Nthis league in &C.
ton, the senators from Illinois will be
as ashamed Of his conduct as I am
''Mr. Taft is entitled to fair treat.
ment at the hands Of the senate Of
the United, States.''
Senator Sherman replied that he
would not have presented his consti-
tuents letter but for Mr.. Taft's state
ments that he would not trust SEN
ators overnight" opposing the league
Senator Mcclellan Of Tennessee
Democrat, interrupted to declare thai
Mr.. Taft had repudiated the state.
ment referred to and Senator Thomas
read, Mr.. Taft's statement of denia
published today.
In reply Senator Sherman said hi
! fCon+in,ad =, rapo e.,