The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-02-27
Withdrawal From the League.

Withdrawal From the League.
Any nation wishing to withdraw
from the league may do so by re-
| nounciDg the freely. the president
| said, according to congressman. This
| is the same course any nation is at
| liberty TO pursue with respect to any
| treaty.
Amendment OF the. constitution.
once II has been ratified, will be diff
ficuit, and not to be accomplished
upon the within OF any nation. the
president told his guests, they said
today He also was quoted as saying
practically all neutral nations have
expressed a desire to become league
members.
He emphasized what he said at
Boston. that despair will grip the
world If the United States does not
ratify the league plan.
Serious complications WIFI occur
almost at once IL the league is not
created. President Wilson told US,
Senator Hitchcock, chairman OF the
senate committee said. "IIe said the
league already is in use, number
of questions having been referred to
1t by the peace conference for settle
m emit"
he Unforeseen Lu6 uClupCie "hSh
the necessity of America standing oy
the Czecho-Siovaks and Jugo-Slavs-
Nothing was said, according TO the
committeeman. concerning the prob
able date of completing the peace
treaty. nor OF the presidents finai
return from Europe.
Following the dinner, which lasted
from S D. m. until nearly 10 p. M,
the president, without any long pre-
limtnary statement, invited the MEM
beers to question him. So many Quee-
lions were asked that the session did
not end until just before midnight
Members declared the president
did not present any arguments. He
simply answered inquiries, usually
by stating his own view of what the
effect OF a specific provision would
be- There was an entire absence OF
the controversial spirit, according 10
committee members.
Senator Brandegee, republican,
took a leading part in the question
ing. Senator Hitchcock. chairman OF
the foreign relations committee,
asked few questions, as did Lodge
and Knox These three are sched-
i'uled to address the senate this week
on the league of nations.
Chairman Flood, of the house com
mittee, in a formal statement fol-
lowing the conference, said:
II am heartily in favor Of a league,
and since talking with the president,
am heartily in favor of the constitu-
ton as presented. / see nothing in
1t affecting the sovereignty of this
country or the right to control its
domestic affairs, or anything that
weakens the Monroe doctrine"
| Speak IL, New York, March q.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-Plans
are practically complete for the pres
iident to speak in New York the night
CT March 4th. 1t was stated at the
white house today. His address will
probably be delivered at the Metro
politan opera house and Immediately
after he will go aboard the George
Washington to return to France.
| The president is speeding up his
work today more than ever and is
confident that he can leave Wash
ington March 4, it was stated.
! The president hopes to have all
matters settled 80 that he may leave
Immediately after signing the last
bill passed by congress when 1t adj
journs at noon March 4.
| No definite time had been set for
| the presidents conferences with con-
greseional leaders in his room at the
capitol, but it was believed he would
go there either today or tomorrow.
| Keep Our Rights.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator
| Spencer, Missouri, today introduced
a resolution declaring It was the
sense of the senate nothing in the
league of nations constitution should
be intended to imply any relinquish-
ment of the traditional rights of
American policies as related to local
affairs, nor abrogate in any way the
functions Of congress.
1t was referred 10 the foreign re-
llations committee.
Definitely Decided.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 81. Presi
| dent Wilson has definitely decided
to speak in New York Tuesday night
| March 4, Secretary Tumulty an
nounced today.
A great non-partisan demonstra
ton for the league of nations will be
made in connection with the ad
| dress, and efforts will be made tc
have William Howard Taft speak
with the president. It was stated at
the white house that the president