New-York tribune., 1919-06-26

trum, that the league means disarma-
ment"
Senator Borah referred to the provi-
sion in the league covenant that the
council, taking account of the geo.
graphical situation and circumstances
such reduction for the consideration
and action of the several governments,
and proceeded:
That leaves the question of disarma-
ment precisely where it was before
Any disarmament plans shall have to
be adopted by the several governments
What is the difference between that
and the situation that existed before
the war as to armame ents? The league
covenant recognizes the principle that
disarmament to the lowest point con-
principle. Every nation, I assume
would have been willing to state that
principle at any time within the last
fifty years, and yet the same nations
felt impelled to build vast fighting ma
chimes.
"It is true that after the programme
has been accepted nations must consult
the council with reference to increas-
ing ornaments. But the initiative OF
the original programme is left coldly
and absolutely in the discretion Of each
Sees Germany a Member
"The programme seems to be now
that in no distant day Germany IL to be
admitted to the league of nations.
take it that there never would be
within the lifetime of any one who
sits in this chamber any thought OF
disarmament to the slightest degree if
the German people are permitted after
they enter the league to determine
for them selves what their armament
shall be. 1 take it that there would be
not the slightest step toward disarma-
ment if the Japanese government
nounced representative of Prussian-
ism now in existence, is permitted to
determine for itself what its armam ent
shall be.
tIf there had been in good faith a
determination to disarm there could
have been placed in the league of ma
tions certain standards of principles to
which the different nations signing
would have agreed positively and
Notwithstanding the secrecy which
has prevailed in this matter at Yer
sailles, every one knows why such a
clause was not inserted in the treaty
It was because the nations of Europe
we're unwilling to have anything in
serted which would embarrass them in
their programme as it has obtained in
general recognition of an automatic
principle that disarmament must neces-
sarily proceed without any substantial
provision or guarantee whatever that
any disarmament should take place.
"Not only does this present draft
provide no programme of disarmame mt
and no means by which it can be as
sured or enforced, but the original
draft was redrafted in order to weaken
to a certain extent the power of the
league council oyer the question OF
armament"
Assails Taft's Position
Senator Borah took up a statement
which he said was made by ex-Presi-
dent Taft a few days ago at Wichita
Kans.. in which Mr.. Taft said, in ref
league Of nations the race of arma-
ment, the trucalence of war" would be
ended.
"There is no more seductive PROPOSE
tion to be presented to the people OF
this country in favor of the league OF
nations" said Mr.. Borah, "than this
enunciation by the ex-President. But
it is up to the ex-President to state
to the people of the country how dis
arament can take place when every ma
tion decides for itself, as it has for
shall have. The only way to disarm is
to disarm, and the only possible means
by which it could be accomplished
would be to put into the league itself
or the treaty, standard by which
armament should be measured, the en-
tent of the armament and the question
of the fighting machines of each ma
ton"
Public opinion in Great Britain, >
said Senator Hitchcock, ''is just as
pronounced for disarmament as that
in the United States. Public opinion
there will force a reduction in military
and naval programmes"
Budgets are being prepared and
passed in England without protest. ~
answered Mr.. Borah. "The tax bill
now pending in the House of Com
mons is the greatest in the history of
that country.
eve cannot disarm with Articles X
and XII staring us in the face. We can
not take any step in that direction if
we subscribe to those articles. They
are not intended to preserve peace, but
to organize a war trust. We can only
escape from maintaining territorial in
tegrity of league members along the
path of dishonor. 1t makes no differ
ence whether Article K be constitu-
tional or not. Article K means that
territorial integrity must be main
tanned by forces, which obligates the
making of war"
Senator Fletcher suggested that eco.
nomic pressure would prevent war
Senator Borah answered that economic
pressure, nine times out of ten, leads
| to war.