The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-07
Society of Arts and Sciences
Cheers Exposition of
Paris Pact.
"FLAG HAULED DOWN"
So Says Ex-senator O'GOr-
man, Who Presides at
Dinner of 1,200.
WARNING OF AUTOCRACY
Fate of World Put in Hands Of
Five Men, Says Missouri
Democrat.
WARNING OF AUToCRACY

Rejecting as superfiuous the rhap-
sodies and devices Of oratory three
United States Senators, william f.
Borah of Idaho. Republican, and
James A. Reed and Charles s.
Thomas Of Colorado, Democrats, ad-
dressed last night 1900 dinner guests
of the Society of Arts and Sciences
with such definite information con-
cerning the League Of Nations as the
President did not see fit to give on
Tuesday night when he spoke In the
Metropolitan Opera House.
Senators Borah, Reed and Thomas,
all of whom will have something to
say when the question of ratifying
the British-Wilson covenant or
any other covenant comes before
the United States Senate, examined
the proposed constitution article by
article for the purpose Of explaining
to the people, from the standpoint Of
statesmen and lawyers. exactly what
the document implies; exactly what
It's promises are worth; exactly what
perils and dangers 1t threatens for
America They were specific and pre-
else. They endeavored to offer con-
structive suggestions. At all times
they were temperate.
Pepper and O'Gorman Oppose.
With their arguments were Joined
the protests Of James A. O'Gorman,
formerly a United States Senator,
who presided at the dinner, and
George Wharton Pepper Of Philadel-
phia, whose diverting parable Of the
kind old minister who sought to set
tie all Of the future troubles Of his
neighborhood while neglecting the i'm
mediate. and pressing vexations,
caused laughter as hearty as the ap-
plause which rang for Borah,
Thomas, Reed and O'Gorman.
Here We're FIVE men experienced In
public affairs-three Senators. for
mer Senator and a noted publicist-di-
vided in politics, since three are Demo-
Gratis and two are Republicans. yet
sinking all partisan differences in a
solid endeavor to instruct the unin-
formed as to the dangerous character
Of Mr. Wilson's proposal and as To
its fiagrantly. amazingly un-American
features. 1t Is worthy of remark that
the response which met their argu-
ments and their protests was wholly
different from that which the Presi-
dent and William H. Taft evoked on
Tuesday night when they essayed TO
defend the British Wilson constitution
Approval was thundered last night
1t was a thing Of spontaneous feeling
obviously springing from the enthu'
s!astic concord of the great audience
in the grand ballroom of the Hote
Pennsylvania. 1t sounded like the
trumpets of conviction. 1t Is n fact
that there has been no such applause
heard at any meeting, even at those
addressed by the President of thu
United States, held to defend an6
praise the British Wilson project.
Hauling Down OF Flag.
The opinions Of the Ave speaker
may be expressed succinctly. Mr.
OGorman held that the United State
10 now asked to become a dependency
Of a group of Asiatic and European
nations; that the destiny of this coun
try is to be confided to foreign power
and that the advocates of the Leagu'
- cf--& atiaaSk Nroposat haul down.
flag of the United States.
George Wharton Pepper denounc
ing the tendency OF the advocates o
the league to assail with vituperatio
and abuse all those that disagree wit
them, said that the fate of the leagu
will be settled the minute the peopl
of this country understand what th
proposal implies. Senator Thomas G
Colorado, who would like to see
workable arrangement which did nc
imperil this Republic. attacked tn
covenant for its plain purpose of over
riding the Constitution of the Unite
States.
Senator Reed. most denunciatory
all, declared that the league plan W;
a thing repugnant to democracy. SIM
IL purposed to create such an autocraC
as the world had ever seen. 1t wou
put into the hands of Ave men, mi
iority OF the Council of Nine. the ia
of the world. 1t was a proposition.
said. which involved the very life OF Il
nation. He believed the people had bee
misled either Intentionally or ignorantl
particularly as regards the propositi'
that the league would end war. Tn
was the very thing it would not
Mr.. Reed said.
Senator Reed pointed out that Il
league would destroy the Monroe Do
trine, that II would compel Americi
boys TO fight In European quarrels al
that as a whole 1t might even destr'
the republic. - -~-. ..-'', --,.-... -.--...
Senator Borsh. whose brilliant a
drehs evoked round after round OF hear
applause. repeated his triumph OF fe
days ago in the United States Sena'
lie examined the league constitution al
tore TO pieces Is fiimsy pretences. j
Continued on Eighth Page