Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-02-19
POINDEXTER SEES
NO GOOD In LEAGUE
CONTINUED from FIRST Page.l

CONTINUED from First Page.l
selves their international relations:
or whether they are to merge their
destinies with those of other nations
of the world. sharing their burdens.
participating in their quarrels and
becoming a party to all international
complications"
Sees No Harm in Discussion
lettering to the request of Presi-
dent Wilson that Congress refrain
from discussing of the league until
he could meet with the Foreign AZ
fairs Committees, Senator Poindexter
asserted it was matter of too much
importance for us to remain alto
gether silent" and that mo harm
can be done by full discussion of a
document of which the world was
purposely kept in entire ignorance
Until 1t came forth ful-panoplied, as
though born from the head of Jove."
Taking up the provisions of the
leagues constitution, the Senator de-
clared that the document contained
no provision for it's abrogation or for
the Withdrawal of n nation. He said
that doubtless the leagues advocates
would contend that the agreement
might be abrogated at any time but
such, he said. was the contention of
many of the states which Joined the
Federal Union, only to learn differ
emily through the bloodshed of a
Civil War"
WouId Stuldfy L. 9. Power
. BY the terms of the constitution.
he continued the. decision as to the
relative reduction of the army and
navy of the United States in propor-
ton to that of the great rival pow
ers, would be taken absolutely out
OF the jurisdiction of tho people and
government of the United States and
vested in the jurisdiction of the
league, where the United States has
hut one vote amid a large number of
AMEN powers This in itself. he add
ed, would be in conflict with the Con-
sttution of the United States
The Power of Congress to declare
war, he said, would be taken away,
also in violation of the Constitution,
and vested in q tribunal, "the great
overwhelming majority of which Is
composed of aliens to our interests
ard institutions" The league prom
ises little guarantee for future peace,
he asserted, when those who drafted
its constitution have mot been able
to restore present peace or set UP
orderly government in central Eu-
rope and Russia"
Under provisions of the constitution
providing for mandatories for colon
ial territories. Senator Poindexter
said the United States would be re-
quired to undertake, practically un-
solicited and unsought. to extend our
responsibilities and cares to the ut
termost parts of the EARTH
While taking up the obligations of
government in Asia, Africa and Eu-
rope. the United States, he said, would
surrender ito Asia, Africa and Eu-
rope, American policies which have
been the prize jewels in the American
diadem of state"
Declaring that the emergencies of
the past which necessitated assertion
of the principles of the Monroe Doc
trine may arise in the future. Sena-
tor PoindeXter said he hoped the
American people had not reached the
point where they were willing that
the high ideals of these traditional
doctrines would be left to the ad-
ministration of an alien tribunal es-
tablished under the League of Ma
tions.'