The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-03-20

20 b reEuEded a. purely internal
affairs.
BOSTON. March 1s.-The merits Of
the proposed covenant Of the league OF
nations were debated Tonight by Sena-
tor Henry CABOT Lodge. and A. Law
renee Lowell. president Of Harvard IND
versity before an audience that follow
ed the speakers with Intense interest
and frequently expressed approval The
debaeers approached the general topr,
from different angles. Senator Lodsy
attacked the covenant as agreed upor
by the commission Of the peace coufer-
ence- as porous instrument" on the
interpretation Of which the signers
themselves would be at odds whiting
twelve months.
DIT. Lowell admitted that the "cove-
nant needed Qualification. but argued
that in substance. as plan for the pre-
Yention Of war, 1t was sound
Cheers for Lodge.
Symphony Hall was filled. Three
thousand persons bad seats and 300
stood. Half Of the audience was made
eral and state judiciary, governors OF
New Tngland states: army and navy
officers. member Of the Harvard fac
ulty; delegates Of the Central Labor
. Union and personal guests Of the deba-
tiers. The other half represented the
lucky ones who had been awarded ad-
mission by chance from % times as
many applications
Governor Calvin Coolidge presided, In
trodueed the speakers and held the
watch. Senator Lodge led off. speaking
for an hour. he received noisy re-
ceptson and was repeatedly SnterruDss'a
With appasSsa.
Senator Lodge in opening his argu-
ment said that he was not against Z
league Of nations. but was anxious to
Rave the free nations Of the world unite
to secure peace and bring about "a gen.
eral disarmament" He also denied the
charge Of inconsistency because Of
speeches in 1915 and 1915. favoring "1n
general" a league Of nations.
ra1ksd with Roosevelt.
At this time and later. in fact up to
the very last, he explained. he was in
constant consultation with Colonel
Roosevelt.
Two weeks before his death" he
sold. 'T was with Theadore Roosevelt
for some hours. seeing him for two
mornings in succession. The draft now
before the country was not then before
US, but we discussed fully the league
Of nations in all it's bearings. We were
II entire agreement. The position tina
I have taken and now take. had his
full approval. The line have followed
in the senate and elsewhere was the one
he wished to have followed. I do no
say this to transfer my responsibility
from my shoulders to his. All I do and
al, say is on my own responsibility
alone"
The question before US Senator
Lodge said. the only question Of prac-
tical nature. is whether the lea que. as
drafted by the commission Of the peace
conference and laid before it. will tend
to secure the peace Of the world as it
stands, and whether 1t Is just and fair to
the United States Of America.
Constructive Criticism
IN answer to the charge that there
had been no constructive criticism OF
the league Of nations, Senator Lodge
exclaimed:
my first constructive criticism is that
this covenant ought to be rc-drafted.T
This Is essential. he added. because the
eanctity Of treaties is vital above all
else.
As another constructive criticism he
demanded n definite statement IN the
covenant Of the vote required in the
executive council for It to Recommend