New-York tribune., 1919-07-30
BeUeridge Wants Nation
To Vote on Peace Treaty
former Senator Attacks League
and Says Presidential Race
Should Have 1t As Real Issue

CHICAGO, July 29.--Albert J. Bev-
eridge, former United States Senator
from Indiana. in speech at the Au-
ditoriun to-day under the auspices of
the League for the Preservation of
American independence, attacked the
league Of nations.
"The question is whether we shall
preserve American Independence or
throw it into that witches cauldron
of European and Asiatic troubles called
the league of nations" he said. II
am for America! And because | am
for America I am against the league
Wants National Debate
"There is a method ready at hand to
get the decision of the nation. Let
the league covenant be made the one
dominating issue Of the Presidential
campaign next year; let it be debated
throughout the Republic; and then let
the people choose between Pres-
Dental candidate standing for the
league covenant and Presidential can
didate standing for the American Con-
stitution. That election would settle
the question.
"The covenant repeals or impairs
vital provisions of our Constitution,
For example: Our Constitution gives
to our Congress the exclusive power to
declare war; the league covenant, Ar
ticle x binds us to preserve as
against external aggression the terri
torial integrity and political in
dependence of all members of the
league If foreign war broke out
and the league commands US TO take
part we must do SO or break the treaty.
Powers Are Limited
"Our Constitution gives to our Con-
gress the exclusive power to raise
armies and build navies and makes
our President the commander in chief !;
the league covenant, Article VIII, binds
us not to increase our army or navy
after we consent to the number OF
men and ships fixed by the league. If
we are forced in elf-defence to inter
vene in Mexico, if deadly peril from
any quarter comes upon us, we can
take no measures for our own protcc-
tion unless the league consents.
"Our Constitution gives to our Con-
gress exclusively the power to pass
immigration, tariff and other laws to
regulate commerce with foreign ma
tions, and gives to our government the
exclusive power to interpret and exc
cute these laws--from such laws and
the execution of IL en- most of oul
foreign complications arise. The league
covenant. Article XIV, binds us to sub
nit to the league amy dispute likely td
lead to rupture In the case of oul
trouble with Japan not long ago over
immigration and alien land ownership
we would have had to submit oul
rights to the league and yield to its
DEGREES.
Congress is Curbed
Our Constitution gives to our Con
gress exclusively the power to pas.
embargo laws, n-importation law!
and all other laws by which trade ant
intercourse with another nation ca,
be cut off. The league covenant, Article
XVI, binds us to Immediately seveI
all trade and financial relations ant
to prohibit even personal intercourse
rot only by our own citizens but thos
Of other countries, with any member 0
the league that goes to war in viola
tion of the covenant. Such actio
would dislocatc the business of tn
whole land; yet we must take that &C
| tion or break the treaty.
"Our Constitution gives to our Pres
ident and Senate the exclusive powe
to make treaties. The league covenan
Article Xxx, Binds US to abrogate ex
isting treaties and not to make ne'
ones inconsistent with the covenant.
"These are some provisions of ou
Constitution that the league covenar
mangles or destroys"