Evening star., 1919-04-28
Senatorial Opinion May Now
Crystalline Rapidly on
Covenant.
LEGISLATORS FIND U. S.
SENTIMENT FOR LEAGUE
Many Objections Have Been Met,
But Sending Troops Abroad
Still Faces Opposition.
BY N. o. MESSENGER.

BY N. o. MESSENGER.
Senatorial opinion on the prospec-
tive defeat or ratification of the
league of nations covenant is expected
to crystalline rapidly, now that the
amended form of the covenant is
available for analysis.
Forecasting the verdict is possible
only by recalling and having in mind
the speeches made in the Senate and
the utterances since Congress ad-
journed and during the period of
amending by those who criticised spe-
cific clauses and provisions Of the in
strument.
In seeking to anticipate the action
of the Senate two considerations must
be kept clearly in view:
First, that since Congress adjourned
and senators have sounded the senti
ment of their constituencies they
have discovered incontrovertible evil
dence of the existence of a tremendous
and overwhelming popular sentiment
in favor of league Of nations to pre-
vent war in the future.
Second, that the covenant has been
amended in particulars to meet many
objections raised in the Senate to the
first draft of the covenant.
Abatement of Opposition.
These two impelling considerations
would seem to point to abatement Of op-
position when the covenant comes be-
fore the Senate Having in mind what
was said in the Senate, 1t would be ad-
missible to conclude that the plan of
the league still falls short Of being en-
tirely satisfactory to many senators.
Probably some Of them would vastly
prefer to get along without any league
at all; they wish the subject had never
come up to vex them.
But it did come up; the proposal for
a league Of nations Is here; it cannot
be evaded nor action upon it avoided.
The popular sentiment favors the gen.
eral idea Of concert of nations in be-
half of International peace; here is
definite plan which its proponents agree
should be effective to accomplish the
object. 1t cannot we'll sbG1amended4 in
the Senate; it must be accepted or re-
but the country seems to be clamoring
for the end. What's to be done about
it? The answer would appear to be-
fairly obvious.
Several senators who opposed the
covenant of the league in its first form
gress adjourned, that if the covenant
we're amended to meet the major objec-
tions urged against it. they will sup
port it. Question may arise, of course,
whether the amendments do in fact
dissipate the objections hitherto ad-
vanced. but that is something to be
argued to a conclusion, and may be
largely a question of individual opinion
Senator Borah's Position.
Senator Borah, for example. holds
that the amended form Of the league,
designed to protect the Monroe doc
trine, does not meet the requirements,
and he finds fault with other amend
ments. while still contending that the
would cause the United States to par
ticipate in settlement Of European
disptes, continues to bind.
The question is: Will the public at
large pause to analyze with the acu-
men Of the lawyer all the bearings Of
demand that senators yield their op-
position and accept the covenants?
What are termed the major objec-
tions to the original draft Of the cove
nant as urged in the Senate have
been met by the trainers of the league
in a series of amendments: that is to
say, they have tried to meet them.
They cover the following points:
Adding a qualifying phrase in effect
to exempt the Monroe doctrine from
Interpretation. modification or evasion
by the league.
Exemption of questions of domestic
jurisdiction from the purvfew of the
league. This is to cover the immigra-
ton question.
Incorporation of a provision that
member states shall decide what
armed forces they shall contribute to
the force required by the league to
carry out it's mandates.
Recognition Of the right of member
nations individually to pass upon linn
itations of ornaments.
Provision that mandatories over
Ottoman dominions and German COL
onies shall be given only to nations
willing to accept them.
Recognition OF right to withdraw from
the league on two years notice, or in
case of dissent from any amendment of
the covenant hereafter adopted by the
league.
Monroe Doctrine Provision.
Thus it will be seen that the first
major criticism of the original COW
trine-is met with substitute which
is claimed at least to be effective
The second serious objection-that
foreign nations could control our ar
manent-is also offered palliative.
There still remains, it was pointed
ONS SONe~J' NAAS NAASt AaoJoi oOJCSliOu "
the league plan in general-the Ii
ability that United States troops NAV
be sent to foreign shores to carry out
the mandates of the league To be
sure, the United States is ostensibly
given the decision as to the number
of troops, but that is not the point,
it is held; the objection is against
sending any United States troops to
participate in the affairs of Europe.
Senators realize that to be the kew
stone of the entire structure of the
league of nations: if the league can
not send armed forces to carry out
its mandates what Is the use of giving
ultimatums. it may be asked, they ad-
nit Around this proposition will
probably center the fercest debate
the alternative to it's acceptance being
rejection of the whole plan of a league
of nations. -
Senator Johnson of California said.
II am studying the league of ma
tions as an American-a selfish pro
vincial little American If you please.
but with my whole thought for my
own country. 1 am only an American.
for America first"
Senator New Of Indiana, republican
said he was not sure that the revised
covenant of the league of nations would
remove his objections to the league.
'While 1 have not read carefully
the new constitution" said Senator
New, II doubt whether it will meet
the objections / have raised to the
original form Of the league If the ad-
vance summaries are a correct indica-
fhn