The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-07
WILSON'S PLEA
R0USES B0RAH
Senator Sees No Way for Con-
gress to Escape Declaring
War Under Article Y.
FEARS EUROPEAN TRICKS
Japan Night Demand Ameri-
can Protection from Russia,
He Asserts.
FEARS EUROPEAN TRICKS

By a Stuff Correspondent OF THE HERALD
NEW HAVEN, Conn, Oct. 6.-Senator
William e. Borah delighted an audi
ence OF $500 persons, many of them
anti-league Democrats, tonight when
he made a direct retort to President
Wilson's latest appeal for the League
of Nations, issued from the White
House Sunday.
The Presidents last letter to the
public informs u.s." said the Idaho
Senator. that Article X does not in
terfere with the right of Congress to
declare war. or not to declare war. +
can conceive of but one way that
Congress could get out of declaring
war in case of the invasion of ter
ritory OF a member of the league, and
that would be to violate and wholly
disregard the plain terms of the treaty
and TO rend in pieces the league cove
nant itself. The President has said
heretofore, upon very solemn oc-
casion, that Article X. constitutes
supreme moral obligation upon the
part of our nation. which moral obli-
cation he declared TO be more binding
than an obligation OF law or contract.
Congress is but an agent OF the ma
ton, and in refusing TO carry out a SOL
emn promise would brand our whole
people with dishonor and moral turpi-
tude. Are we about to enter into some
kind of monstrous combination in
which supreme moral obligations are to
be disregarded when the exieency
arises? Are we about to enter into a
scheme which we are either TO carry
out at great untold sacrifice to our
people. or refuse TO carry out at the
cost OF national honor and national de-
cency?
sticks to washington's Creed.
Have we already reached the point in
international debauehery where we are
plainly promising one thing. and plainly
intending 10 do another thing II our
own interests suggest II? Are We going
into worldwide scheme for peace. be-
hind which is the honor of the nation.
or are we going into a. European scheme
to be executed as usual under the dicta-
ton OF treachery and duplcity? II we
20 into this scheme and the hour comes
when the United States must choose be-
tween the faithful execution of its treaty
or its shameless violation our people will
choose the path of honor, and execute
even at the cost OF treasure and blood.
We have not yet accepted in this country
the creed Of Machiavelli We still ad-
here to the creed OF Washington--to OBJ
serve in good faith all international OBJ
legations.
IL would not, OF course, presume to
ask the President a question or seek to
engage him In debate, but l would like
to know from his associates who helped
him write this creed that If we accept
Article X. as written and Russia invades
the territory or Japan and Japan,
through the council of the league. calls
upon us to furnish money and men to
help 10 preserve her territorial integrity
and we refuse, what Will be the standing
of this proud republic among the other
nations Of the world and what will be-
come of the league?
"If we exercise the discretion not to
assist. of course every other nation Will
do the same, and this supreme moral
obligation is turned at once into a su-
premely immoral pretence. The United
States steps out discredited and dis
honored and the seeds Of wars are scat
tered broadcast"
Cheered by Democrats.
Inc oeHalOI y dUult0Gt was ulllIht.
In II there probably were more Demo-
Gratis than Republicans, but their COM
mon bond of sympathy was in their re-
pugnance to the Wilson brand Of a
League Of Nations. The meeting was
held under the auspices OF the Anti
League Democratic organization, and the
Arena, the most spacious structure In
the city, was flied with an attendance
who applauded Senator Borah's logic
and eloquence.
John J. Splain. head Of the Anti
League Democratic organization. who
called the meeting TO order, had been
n lifelong follower OF the Democracy.
II have refused" he said, ito follow my
party when IL undertook TO subordinate
the sovereignty Of my country to the
lntrlgues of Europe"
Walter J. Walsh, who was presented
as the presiding officer. also has been n
consistent Democrat until this year.
For the greater part OF his professional
life he was the law partner OF David u.
Fitzgerald, who IS the chairman OF the
Democratic State Committee and for
many years was Mayor of New Haven.
Mr.. Walsh. as ne took the platform TO
introduce Senator Borah. explained that
his presence ms chairman meant that he
absolutely and unequivocally stood op-
posed TO a policy that advocated our
country entering into any pact or
league dominated by the Powers OF the
Old World"