The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-03-22
OHIO SENATOR
DEFENDS Plan
FOR COVENANT
fRv Associated Press,

CLEVELAND, O., March 22-Speak-
ing here today in support of the
league of nations, Senator Pomerene
Of Ohio, Democrat, of the senate for
eign relations committee, said that
while preferring amendment Of the
proposed constitution so as to make it
more definite and to specifically ex-
empt from its provisions the Monroe
doctrine, he would support it whether
it was changed or left untouched. The
address was delivered at a luncheon OF
the Cleveland City club.
whatever of imperfections there
may be in the proposed league of ma
tions" said Senator Pomerene, 81 SUBJ
NIT that up to date no better plan
has been proposed by any of the crit
les of the measure. They and we hope
that some means may be devised
whereby to prevent war in the future.
The opponents have pointed out some
defects in this plan; but they give
nothing constructive to take their
place, and we may say as we choose.
the world will not forgive those in au-
thority If they do not exert themselves
to the utmost to bring about some
plan which will give promise and hope
for the future"
Discussing recommendations made
by Senators Lodge of Massachusetts.
and Knox of Pennsylvania, Republi-
cans, that consideration of plans for
the league be deferred until after
peace has been established, Senator
Pomerene said the league and the
peace treaty were so interwined that
one without the other would be worth
less.
Il recognize that the proposed con-
stitution is not logically arranged" he
continued, that it is poorly phrased
and that it is written in the involved
and somewhat stilted form that char
acterizes many diplomatic documents.
Even President Wilson's bitterest enc
mics, while they have charged him
with all kinds of high crimes and mis-
demeanors, do not even presume to
charge him with being responsible for
its language"
Senator Pomerene said he would
prefer to have amended section seven
which gives to Great Britain and her
dominions five votes in the body of
delegates, but added that an examina.
tion of the document showed safe
guards which relieved this feature of
its principal objections.
For one, am willing to try the ex-
pertinent" the senator concluded. 81
submit that whatever the results NAV
be, the efforts for peace in this behalf
cannot be worse in their consequences
than was the war.
"The danger is not yet over. So
long as the allied troops are in the
field there may be no danger from the
German armies. But there is an en-
emy looming up in the far east which
threatens to be even as destructive to
the civilization of the world as the
German forces-that is the spirit of
lawlessness which prevails among the
Bolsheviki and in Germany and Aus
tria, ever the common foe of our civfli-
cation, the common foe of all govern
ment- and it behooves the United
States and her allies to take common
counsel for the defense of humanity.
"The fourteen nations that drafted
the constitution were comrades in the
| time of war; / am sure they can be
and will be companions In time of
peace. Surely we ought not to re-
fuse to join them in time of peace
to preserve peace when we Joined
them in time of war to establish
peace"