The Washington times., 1920-06-29
CHANGESMEAN.
LEAGUE DEATH.
David Starr Jordan Points Out
That Bryan Amendments Will
hullify Pact.
NJ DAVID STARE JORDAN.

NJ DAVID sTAhh SonoAN'
Cwrittsn expressly for International News
,co.v,,.s, 1920 ssrris:i ss ts: international New.
'0'p'nsh" i'''' ,ssryic..j
SAN FRANCISCO, June ss.-Ths
nrst day OF the Democratic conven-
tion was marked by the eloquent and
mastery keynote address OF the tenn
porary chairman. Homer s. Cum
mings. Spoken In = full. clear voice.
II held the unnagging attention OF the
great audience and frequently moved
IL TO genuine applause.
It's salient points were: review,
deservedly scathing. OF the obstruc-
tive attitude of the Republican Sen.
atorial cabal: a statement OF the ef-
feotive domestic legislation brought
out by the Democratic party; an ac-
count of the great achievements OF
the war, admittedly the work OF the
whole American people under Demo
cratic leadership; and. finally. brill
liant eulogy OF the President and his
inspired world-vision OF league OF
nations, together with . moving ap-
peal to the heart of America for the
keeping of the faith. The speaker
thus took an unqualified stand for the
party, in defense of the league. as
ting no validity In the criticisms SO
profusely directed against It,
TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT.
According to the press, the admin
istration forces. now apparently In
the lead. have prepared q PLATFORM
designing the present league OF ma
tions as "the surest IL not the only
practical means of maintaining the
- tha ~orld and tePmin III m r
the insufrerable burden OF great mill
tary and naval establishments" Con-
tinuing, IT pays a very high tribute
to the President for his achievements
In the war and peace.
Prompt ratification OF the treaty IL
demanded and with mo reservations
which would impair Its essential In
tegrity."
IL is, however, commonly believed
that the first serious contest In the
convention may take the form OF an
attack on this position. Its opponents
demand reservations of a more vital
character.
Senator Walsh of Montana. in CO.
operation with Mr. Bryan, Is fearful
an agreement which will deprive us
Of all we have gained through sacri-
fee.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
The proposed amendments are listed
under four heads. which / may here
briefly SUMMARIZED:
1-The United States shall make no
pledge to engage in foreign wars nor
to arbitrate on the questions OF vital
interest.
2-The nation shall be It's own
Judge as to it's need OF defensive
armament.
3-The United States shall have as
many votes in the league as any
foreign state or empire.
1T shall accept no covenant that
endanRers or impairs the Monroe doc
trine. or which prevents withdrawal
from the league on proper notice.
COVER ARTICLE X.
The first of these reservations COW
ers the much desired Article X. But
It seems almost certain that no such
clause Is necessary as under our con-
stitution the country cannot wage
war without positive action by Con.
gress The phrase Vital interests
has never been explained. and cannot
be accepted without exact definition.
As to the second. the chief function
of the league should be to bring about
disarmament and in this movement
the United States should naturally
take the lead. Regarding the third
item. the proposed change as to rep
resentation in the assembly In which
nothing of Importance is decided by
majority vote involves an impossible
ity, and can be urged only to destroy
the league.
Canada, Australia, New Zealand
and South Africa are self-governing
commonwealths bound to Great Brit
ain by the ties of affection only.
They are already members of the
our own proteges, Haiti, Santo Do
er is 1t possible to form new world
league more acceptable to financial
senators. These dominions are surely
as we'll entitled to separate voice as