Omaha daily bee., 1919-03-04
LEADER READS
NAMES OF 81 SENATORS WHO
WILL OPPOSE PRESENT FORM
Proposes Resolution Calling
for Immediate Peace With
Germany, But Not ConSid-
cred Under Objection.
By Associated Press.

Washington, March 3.-Names OF
81 republican members of the new
senate, number sufficient to block
ratification of a treaty were read in
the senate tonight by Senator
Lodge of Massachusetts who said
they had approved a resolution set.
ting forth that "the constitution OF
the league of nations in the form
now proposed to the peace confer
ence should not be accepted by the
United States"
The list was inserted in the record
by the republican leaders after
Democratic Leader Martin andsSen-
ator Swanson of Virginia had raised
simultaneous objection to consider
alton of the resolution which he had
introduced after long conferences
with minority members and COM
municated by telegraph and tele-
phone with republican senator's and
senators-elect who were not in
Washington.
Want Immediate Peace.
While opposing the constitution
as now drafted, the resolution set
forth that it was the desire of the
senate that the nations Of the world
should unite to promote peace and
general Disarmament.
1t also said it was the sense Of
the senate that "the negotiations or
the part of the United States should
Immediately be directed to the ut
most expedition of the urgent bust
ness of negotiating peace terms with
Germany" and that then the league
proposal should be taken UP for
careful and serious consideration.
Although not specifically declared
in the resolution. Senator Lodge
and other republican leaders ex-
planned privately that the prime
purpose of tonight's action was to
serve notice upon President Viii
son, the American peace commits
sioners and especially the peace
delegations of foreign countries that
enough senators of the next senate
are now formally pledged, by sigma
ture, against the league of nations
constitution as now drafted.
" Seek Revision of Charter.
They expressed hope and conf
dence that their action would COM
pei fundamental revision of the
league charter. They also pointed
with emphasis to the declaration in
the resolution that those fayoriug
the Lodge resolution also were III
sympathy with a movement for an
agreement between nations to pro
mote peace and disarmament.
Democratic leaders considered
some action in the nature of a re-
ply to the republican move. Chair
man Hitchcock of the foreign rela-
tions committee, it was stated, was
considering addressing the senate
on the subject. He pointed out
privately that the resolution re.
cited that the present league charter
Should" not be accepted by the
United States.
Not Flat Declaration.
Senator Hitchcock said that while
the republicans effort was to pre-.
sent a fiat" declaration of opposi.
ton to the present league constitu.
ton, the term used did not neccs-
sarily imply that they would vote
against the present draft.
Pointing out the constitution op,
posed is a committee report tc
the peace congress, Senator Swan.
son said: "The resolution and
the republicans endorsing it do moi
say that they would defeat a final
peace treaty containing the present
league constitution"
Without specifically endorsing
the league of nations plan, Republi.
can Leader Mann, speaking TODAY
in the house, declared that the war
would have been fought in vain If
something was not done to prevent
future wars. Democratic members
of the house vigorously applauded
this statement.
Senator Sherman sharply eriti-
cized President Wilson, asking who
authorized him TO rear above the
republic an autocratic power" He
added that the president had been
acting either as "a usurper or a dc
tator."
Compared to Caesar.
"Shall we not ask with the dramat-
ist," the senator said, Nov in the
name of all the gods at once. upon
what does this Caesar feed that lie
has grown so great
He adroitly maneuvers himself
into the spotlight as the fountain Of
peace perpetual and the guardian
Of mankind" Senator Sherman con-
tinued "As he kept us out Of war
in 1916. so he will keep US out of
| impending war conjured up to serve
the issues OF 1920 and keep US al
peace forever if we but accept him
again. Like his neutrality device
was the prelude to unprepared war.
his peace league engages not in one
| frt,,tt..,H -. ut IN. sae-. -