The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-25
FIRST ADDRESS IN DEFENSE 0F LEAGUE CONSTITUTION MADE BY SENATOR LEWIS
Denies Contention That It Would AbrOgate Monroe Doctrine, or That U. s. Would Be Outv0ted by
 Great Britain
By AssoeIated Press


 Washington, February 24. The first address in the Senate in defense of the proposed constitution of the league of na- tions was delivered today by Senator Lewis of Illinois, demo- cratic whip, who aook issue with the recent criticism made by Senator Borah of Idaho, re- publican, and Senator Reed of Missouri, democrat.
 Speaking for nearly two hours, Senator Lewis denied contentious of opponents os the league that it would abrogate the Monroe doctrine, that it was departure from the principles of Washington and Jefferson, that it would dictate world armament and that America would be outvoted by the United Kingdom. An inn nense overflow audience listened intently to the speech and vigorously applauded rwhen the Illinois senator concluded
 Senator Lewis address Is to be followed soon by many other discussions of the league. Senator Owen of Oklahoma, dem- ocrat, and Cummins of Iowa, republican, will speak Wednesday and the debate is expected to continue daily until Con gress adjourns one week from tomorrow. announced today that he would make an address Monday.
 PROPOSES REFERENDUM
 In the House today Representative Lun- den of Minnesota, republican, introduced resolution proposing national refer endum on the league to be called by the Secretary of State within 30 days after its formal submission to the Senate. The proposal for an expression of popular opinion on the league was referred to by Senator Lewis in concluding his remarks. Tt will be before the American people" the Illinois senator said.
 "The people will pass on this document in the form of a treaty. through their senators as their representatives. But it also will have the added advantage in that it's distinguished champion will go to his countrymen with the truth. And they will approve of his undertaking, as they have everything with which he has gone to them. Yes, the people will de- c;de.'
 Senator Reed spoke briefly when Sena- tor Lewis concluded He said that if the apsscis mesnber's argument was correct, the league would not hacve power to limit American armament, and added:
 If that is the case, the chief argument for the league Is withdrawn and the chief reason for it's existence does not appear to exist"
 Senator Lewis digressed greatly from his prepared address. He analysed in de- taH the arguments of Senators Borah and Reed and also declared that in May, 1916, Republican Leader Lodge had spoken 1T, support of the league plan.
 WOULD GUARANTEE DOCTRINE Replying to the argument that the leagu would contrayene the Monroe doc Urine, Senator Lewis declared that by the very plan of the society the world would guarantee that doctrine. He also de- clared there was no ground for the asser- tions that kings and emperors would con- trol t9e league, for, assuming that the Central and South American republics would be members on equality with Brit isn colonies, the American republics could ortvote the European nations
 '1t must be plain," said Senator Lewis, that senators have read this document in a way that greatly misled them" Senator Lewis said he could not con ceive or refuse to assume that the princi- pal Latin-American countries would not
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