Evening star., 1919-03-06
VIEWS Of HUGHES
TOcARRY WEIGHT
Difference of Opinion With
Taft on League to Split
Republican Sentiment.

Charles T. Hughes interview ia The
Star yesterday on the league Of ma
tions attracted the attention of sena-
tors who oppose the draft Of the
leagues constitution i'll its present
form. and they were glad TO learn that
the distinguished jurist viii address
himself at length to discussion OF
the subject later. Coming from 1aaa
who but recently sat On The United
states : shfpfsme n eeaarif- { Feneh. his viis'ss
viii be ;received. it is said, as carrying
the weight OF judicial expression.
Mr.. Hughes voiced the opinion rul-
ing among republican senators WHO
will have to pass upon the treaty, that
the constitution as now written must
not be accepted, bat that an under
standing may be reached for new
international order which viii ac-
compIish the ends of d league of ma
tions without inpairing the essential
rights of this republic.
Cleavage of Opinion Noted.
1t was noted by senators that
cleavage Of opinion is thus made be-
tween the two last titular leaders Of
the republican party--William II. Taft.
once President, and Mr.. Hughes, the
party'S latest candidate for the presl-
dency. Mr.. Taft would take the con-
5titution as It Is without cnange,
while Mr.. Hughes stands with the al
most unanimous republican member
ship of the Senate for material
amendment before acceptance.
These two viii appeal to the re
publican sentiment of The country,
Both are regarded as eminently cap
able of constituting the Constitution of
the United States and the bearing OF
the league Of nations constitution
upon the American document with
possible infringement thereof, or not.
There's Mr.. Taft, who has been presi-
dent: he ought to know" will say one
element Of republicans, while the
other may retort, Yes but Hughes
has been on the Supreme Court bench
and he surely ought to know" 1t is
case of paying ones money and
taking ones choice.
The main thing is that from now on
il is 10 be the effort Of the republicans
keep before the American people the
fact that the group of men in the
Sen"te" SO scornfully referred to by
the President in his parting statement
do not oppose the humanitarian idea
Of league of nations, but are intent
upon joining a league that will not
break Down American rights and level
any safeguard to the liberty of this
nation. 1t is TO be remembered, too.
that in that effort they will be as
sisted by democrats.
May Accept Amendments.
It was said today that unquestion-
ably the Paris peace conferecg myst
take cogniZance of the state of senti-
ment in this country, expressed by the
thirty-ninc United States senator's
holding the power to defeat ratifica-
ton of treaty. They, it was said.
will be justified, with this knowledge.
in questioning the Presidents conf
dent assertion that he knows the
great majority of the people favor the
league of nations plan. Rather than
amenable to suggestions Of amend
ment il proposed.
President Wilson's broad and un
qualified statement that he was abso-
Jutely certain the overwhelming SEN
tirnent of the nation was for 4 league
Of nations did not convince senators
and representatives whose mail had
been flooded with communications
from constituents to the contrary ef-
feet. In the closing hours of the ses-
sion of Congress. when the league of
nations was the ali-absorbing tonic
men in Congress commented upon the
protests they were receiving against
any league which would break down
the Monroe doctrine, put American
boys on European policing duty and
turn over to foreigners decision as 10
The size of the American Army and
Navy and of the question of what kind
of immigrants this country may be
required TO admit
VIII the leagues constitution be
amended to meet American objec-
tions?" and "If not, can the President
force ratification" are classed as the
two practical questions bearing upon
the immediate future. Discussing them
with each other, senators say that
there seems to be reasonable basis for
expectation that when the peace con
ferees realize the actual state of
feeling in this country they may de-
eide to change the form rather than
see the plan defeated altogether,
Whether President Wilson would con-
slider this implied as a slap at him
cannot be said, although it is assume ed
lA1@t he VIII Soatiiiu5 10 insist that he