The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-15
HOMER CUMMINGS CUMMINGS
VIGOROUSLY DEFENDS
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Democratic, Chairman
Attributes Opposition
to Politics.
! SCORES OPPONENTS
Says C. O. P. Seeks to
Regain Mastery OF
Machinery Of the
Government,
] SCORES OPPONENTS

New York, March 14.---The claim
that the league OF nations covenant is
vague can ba made against all great
historical documents, including Magma
charta. the Bill of Rights and the De-
claration OF Independence, according
- Homer = Cummings, chairman OF
NE Dep ocratic national committee. in
an address tonight at the National
Democratic club, in which he yigo-
rously defended the league. Mr.. Cum
mings attributed the main opposition
10 the leagne to politics. claiming that
for the past two years the Republicans
have been making unusual efforts to
regain mastery OF the machinery OF
government. He said In part:
Ever since the war began in Eu-
rope in 1914 our ears have been veNed
by the Wild cries of the opposition.
proclaiming superior brand of patri-
otism. And now, at the very first sign
OF return TO partial authority. the
leaders OF the Republican party OF the
senate have placed themselves In OPP
position to n league of nations, ana
the leaders in the house of representa-
sives have selected for floor leader
Congressman Mondell. of Wyoming,
who voted against the tabling of the
Ncf.emore resolution and opposed the
seiective draft law.
Senator Penrose IL to he chairman
II the great senate committee OF
finance and the reactioparies are die
Eating the policy of the party. Ford
ney. of Michigan. who voted against
the fabIing of the McLemore resolu-
lion. L. 10 he chairman of the great
committee of ways and means.
Porter, of Pennsyivanta. who voted
~. 49,
the arming Of merchant ships, tn To
Ia chairman OF the committee on for
e41m affairs. Esch. of Wisconsin,
who voted against war. against tahlins
nf tho McLcmore resolution ana
a9atnst Axnilnx merchant HhiEs~ ~ 80
IL chairman or the committee ON in
ferstate and foreign commerce..
#Hau8cn. OF Iowa, who voted
against war and against tahiing the
afcT.emore resolution and against the
espionage bfll. and who tried 10 XIII
she food survey bin. is rewarded by
The Craftsmanship of the, committee on
agriculture.
Campbell, of Kansas, who voted
AGAINST the food survey bin and the
espionage bill and the armine of rner-
chants hips. Is I'd be chairman OF the
great committee on rules.
Good. of Iowa. who voted wrong
m the McLernorc resolution and
against arnains merchant ships, IL to
have the craftsmanship of the COM
mtttee on appropriations. and the well
known William Mason. of Illinois. who
voted against war. against the draft,
,rainst the espionage bill, and whose
public utterances are even more Of
fenssve than his votes, Is. by curious
l,,nd or irony Ia be found on the
,.ommistee on foreign affairs"
Hayes Called Upon.
Tho sneaker called upon VIII III.
hfayes, chairman OF the Republican
national committee. to line his party
behind the leauge of nations. thus
linking It a non-partisan affair. HE
Vim be in good company" said Mr..
Nmmings. .'for he will find himself
snpported by Mr.. Taft, Mr.. Wicker
nam. Senator Burton and President
0weIl, OF Harvard. and last but not
800. by MT. Hughes. with Mr.. Root
rtffl 10 be heard from. 1t IL safer
eaderxisip than that OF Senators
ndre, Penrose and Knox.
The argument that the covenant is
,aruc can be advanced against all
he great documents OF history. The
erno assertion could be made with
Eefarencc to Magma Charta. the Peti-
ion Of Rights, the Bill of Rights, the
neelaratton of Independence and the
-onstttution OF the United States.
ssTf President Wilson should suggest
SO We ought TO obey the ten COM
nandments and the golden rule. there
Cotsld be learned senator's who would
rwuo that the doctrines arc too vague
y Ne understood and are certain to
beaA America into trouble. And
rernblc 10 think what would happen
Is the Lords prayer II 1t were submit
"a to the senate for ratification.
ssrhere are those who complain that
- entering the league America will
,,rrender her sovereignty. The high
Extracting parties have, not surren--
sAred their sovereignty. They have
armed Il partnership for mutual pur-
,isrsst, and have surrendered only such
trhts as will make that purpose eff
active. Therein lies the safety Of the
vorld, A nation does not surrender
Il sovereignty. in any proper sense,
shen II makes contract to observe
hc rules of Justice.
Mutual SurrcndcrinE.
.sThe leagrae OF nations provides fos'
mutual surrendering of the right OF
cations 10 do evil unchecked and
vfthout notice to the world II Is =
,nntract OF honor and not a contract
q abasement All civilized society.
I'm the Individual up Is built upon
~ Welding. In soma degree, of free
scm Of conduch In no other way can
s~re be unity of purpose. either
~,nnr men or among nations.
ssThe idea of q league of nations Is
(Continued on Page Two.)
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