The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-19
Senator Poindexter Has First
Say on Nations. Move.
His Address Opening Of Debate
in the Senate.
MACHINERY LIKE RUSS SOVIET
Constitution Conflicting, Indefi-
mite and Uncertain, Charge.
Five Great Objections to the
League Plan as Given.


Washington. Feb. is. - Senator
Poindexter. Washington, today attack
ed the league of nations constitution.
PoindeXter prefaced his speech with
a reference to the attempted assas-
sination of Premier Clemenceau.
Fortunately for humanity, the as
sassin failed of his purpose" Pciadex-
ter said. "Of all men we coulf least
afford to lose at this juncture. is the
French premier, who stood for hu-
] Ianity and decency against the Ger
man horde.
Assassination is a weapon of those
Who represent the internationals and
who have taken up the cause of inter-
national revolution and are now be-
ginning to be active in the United
States as well as in the countries OF
Europe. This needs to be cured by
establishment of present and perma-
nent peace
before galleries crowded to capacity
Minister Panaetoff of Bulgaria was in
the diplomatic gallery.
Az the joint meeting OF house and
senate foreign relations committees
today. il was decided to take up with
President Wilson the question of ac-
ccptirg an invitation from France to
send a delegation to a parliamentary
conference in Paris in March.
"a frightful compact. a fatal cove
ant" which will steal away Ameri-
an national sovereignty and make
his nation part of a, great interna-
ional soviet. was the description of
he document given the senate by
,'oindexter
Opening discussion of the league,
"oindeXtor said it marks the end of our
traditional policy of mind your own
'usiness." which we have applied to
ourselves and to other nations alike.
Analyzing the constitution, article
IS article. he declared:
Like Russian Soviet.
That the constitution, as drafted pro-
poses world government, modelled
along the lines of the Russian soviet
government.
That it is part OF the same inter
nationalism which, the l. W. w. and
Bolshevist is striving for.
That instead of bringing perpetual
peace. it will ''sow dragons teeth from
which armcd men will SPRING"
That unless it is submitted to the
American people in aapolttical cam
pai2n for their approval or disap-
proval. popular government in the
United States will disappear.
Criticizcs Wilson. Too.
Po:ndexter criticised President Will
.Gn's efforts to keep congress from
discussing the league in advance of his
return and charged that hired pro-
pagandists are at work spreading the
ADMINISTRATIONS views.
The matters contained in the pro-
posed constitution are the most mo-
1nentOus in their effect on the people
and the government of the United
States since the Civil war said Poin-
dexter. 'But before the busy world,
whose destinies are to be controlled.
has had an opportunity to read and
Gigest its provisions. we are requested
rot to make it the subject of debate
in congress until the president can
again speak. in its behalf.
I'm the meantime, various oTganiza-
tions. such as the league to enforce
peace, the society of free nations and
other internationalists are employing
an eX-president of the United States as
one of their chief lecturers and in
Gucins members of the cabinet to keep
busy in their behalf.
Two Separate Bodies.
There is an internationalism of the
elite and an internationaliSm of the
proetariat in the world. There is in
ternationalism at the top and interna-
tfonalism at the bottom and both are
moving forward thru different means
and methods to the same destination.
Germany is supporting both. The
idealists and peace at any price paci-
fists are approaching by one road.
The Industrial Workers of the World
and their Bolshevist allies thru the
world are approaching upon another.
Both lead to the same destination; an
international and despotic government
OF the world. Both involve the sur
render of nationality and the setting
up of centralized despotism 1t must
be despotism becouse no government
in whose direction is centered the ulti-
mate control of the affairs of the
whole world can be free
This movement is backed with
great resources and ample funds. Such
organizations as the Carnegie endow-
by a subject of Great Britain, with re-
sources acquired in the United States,
is one of its most powerful supporters.
These organizations are able to en-
ploy, at high prices. Influential Iectur-
ers. including even an eX-president of
tie United States. The founder of the
society referred to is an open advocate
Of the reunion of the United States
with Great Britain and of the amaIga-
nation of our government in the Brit
ish empire. This organization of a
league to enforce peace is but an en-
largement of this conception
Five Principal Objections
Poindexter said there are five prin-
Cipal objections to the league of ma
tens plan. These set forth:
First-The surrender by the several
nations to the league of power and
discretion of determining the rules
methods and degree of disarmament
and the relative and absolute size OF
the army and navy which any member
of the league may maintain.
nd-CompuIsory arbitration OF
FL questions, even those which hereto
for" have been regarded as non-ius-
ttciahlc, Tffacting the vital interest
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