Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-03-20

Boston. March 1a.-"If the leagu
shall be put in such shape that it vii
promote peace instead Of breeding dis
order and will work no injustice to thes
United States. l will support it," sal
senator Henry Cabot Lodge in reply
ing to a question of President A. Law
renee Lowell of Harvard, during thei
debate on the League of Nations coyen
ant. tonight.
nope from my heart it will b.
amended he added. II hope that sucl
a league will be framed somewhere. I,
my belief 1t will not be done in Paris.
"A demand from Dr.. Lowell that Mr.
Lodge say whether he would vote TO
the covenant If 1t were amended accord
ing to his wishes led to the senator
declaration.
Addressing an audience Of 5000 persons
III symphony hall. the distinguished
speakers were applauded literally, fire
quently and apparently impartially.
There was no heckling though cries o.
good and that's right followed tell
ing points in the arguments.
senator Lodge outlined his attitude
briefly. as In favor of a League o,
Nations, but not of the covenant as pre-.
sented.
"The whole treaty should be re.
drafted" he asserted. that is my frs,
constructive criticism
ROOSEVELT'S NAME APPLAUDED
The senator's reference to Theodore
Roosevelts attitude as in opposition to
such a plan as was embodied in the
covenant. drew applause. He said that
he had discussed the idea Of a League
of Nations with Mr.. Roosevelt two
weeks before his death. THE position
! have taken" he added "in reference
to this covenant, is one that had Mr.
Rooscvelt's full approval. I do not say
this to transfer any load from my
shoulders to his, but It is at the same
time support to know that my position
in this matter is in agreement with his
expressed conviction"
Referring to the charge that the
criticisms of the covenant were not con-
Senator Lodge pointed out a
number of ways in which he would
amend the treaty laying especial stress
on the need of protection of the Mon
roe Doctrine.
THE hour is rapidly approaching"
said Mr.. Lowell in summing up his plea
for the covenant, "when We must decide
whether our country shall take its place
like a great and generous nation side by
side with others as guardians Of law,
order and justice in the world, or
it shall turn its face from a
world in agony"
He prefaced his argument with the
statement that, although he had always
been ian inconsistent republican and
frequently had been in agreement with
Senator Lodge, he could not agree with
lis utterances on the League of Nations
covenant. and still less with those of his
colleague.
DR.. Lowell maintained the correctness
Of the covenant in principle. arguing
that while very defective in it's draft
ng' and easily misunderstood" it
should be accepted and improved"
He described it as an experiment in
open diplomacy.
To meet certain objections raised Dr.
n the covenant permitting Withdrawals
from the league on reasonable notice
'tipuating that no foreign powers shall
acquire any possessions on the American
continents and making it perfectly clear
ire to be regarded as purely internal
affairs.
Half of the audience was made up of
members of the Legislature, federal and
State judiciary, Governors of New Eng
and States, army and navy officers,
members Of the Harvard faculty, dele
gates. of the Central Labor Union and
personal guests of the debaters. The
har holt
who had been awarded admission by
'hance from % times as many applica-
ions.
GOVERNOR COOLIDGE PRESIDES
Gov. Calvin Coolidge presided. intro
luced the speakers and held the watch.
senator Lodge led Off. speaking for an
lour. He received noisy reception and
vas repeatedly interrupted with ap-
,lause.
Senator Lodge in opening his argument
aid that he was not against a League
# Nations, but was anxious to have the
rec nations of the world unite to secure
'eace and bringing about "a general
disarmament" He also denied the
harge of Inconsistency because Of
peeches in 1915 and 1916 favoring "in
a League of Nations.
At this time and later. in fact up to
he very last. he explained, he was in
onstant consultation with Colonel
Two weeks before his DEATH" he
aid, 81 was with Theodore Roosevelt
or some hours. seeing him for two
lornings In succession. The draft now
efore the country was not then before
s. but we discussed fully the League
( Nations in all its bearings. We
'ere in entire agreement. The posi-
on that ] have taken and now take
ad his full approval. The line ! have
ollowed In the Senate and elsewhere
'as the one he wished to have fol-
'wed. ] do not say this to transfer
ny responsibility from my shoulders
, his. All l do and all / say, Is on
~ own responsibility alone.
THE question before us" Senator
odge said, "the only question Of a
ractical nature. is whether the league /
,at has been drafted by the commits
on OF the peace conference and laid !
efore 1t will tend to secure the peace