New-York tribune., 1920-10-07
Borala Cheered
In League Talk
BY Democrats
Senator Challenges Wilson'S
Statement That Congress
Need Not Declare War
Under Covenant Terms
Says Obi CATION T. Moral
Asserts Discretionary Act
Would Nullify P~rpose;
Asks Noses far ssraudegcc

Special D|Spofra fH tHe " 7Anc
NEW HAVEN. Conn, Oct 6 he
Anti-League Of Nations club. -he big
gcst Democratic organization u Nav
Haven, was addressed a' rally herc
to- night by Republican Senator Will
lam f. Borah Tne pictures OF Var
rcn G. Harding and Fraae y bfande-
gee, Republican >andidate ior re
election as Senator from Connecticut,
adorned the wall Tho club cheered
every reference to them and shouted
approval of Senator Dorah's attacks on
the League Of Nations.
Senator Borah challenged President
Wilson's statement Of Monday eulopiz-
ing the League Of Nations. lie insisted
that the league left the United States
no alternative but to fight for Japan
ii Russia attacked her or else be for
ever 1ishonored becausc She had re-
fuse/ the moral obligation involved
He aafo:
THE Presidents last letter to the
public informs us that Article does
NC interfere with Congress in dcclar-
ing or not declaring war. | can con-
cci.,3 of but one way that Congress
cou1d get out of declaring war in case
of the invasion Of the territory OF a
member of the league. That would
be to violate and disregard the plain
terms of the treaty and tear in pieces
the covenant itself.
"Heretofore the President has said
upon a very solemn occasion that Ar
tclc X constitutes a very solemn obli-
cation upon the part Of our nation.
l. ! bo tN hn 70
binding than an obligation OF law OF
contract Congress is but an agent Of
the nation, and in refusing to carry
out solemn promise would brand our
whole people with dishonor and moral
turpitude.
What of Moral Obligations?
care we about to enter some kind of
monstrous combination in which
moral obligations are to be disregarded
when the occasion arises? Have we
reached the point on international de-
bauchery where we are plainly promls-
ing one thing and plainly intending an
other if our own interests suggest it
| would like to know from the Presi
dent and from his associates who
helped him write this creed that if we
accept Article X as written and Russia
invades the territory of Japan and
Japan, through the council Of the
league, calls upon US to furnish money
and men to help to preserve her terri
torial integrity and we refuse, what
public among the other nations Of the
world and what will become of the
league?
of we can exercise the discretion
not to assist, Of course every other
nation will do the same and this su-
preme moral obligation is turned az
once into a supremely immoral pre-
tense. The United States steps out dis
created and dishonored and the seeds
of wars are scattered broadcast"
Discussing analytically the league
provisions, Senator Borah said;
at is constantly being presented to
are now great trading or commercial
nation and that our policy of isolation
should not continue. But it was
agalnst political or military combina-
tions that Washington advised Look
over your press dispatches day by day
ard see the constant European strife.
And it is over the same racial antipa-
thies that they have had war for cen
tulies. Therefore, say, that until
Europe changes its own theories Of
government it is unwise for US to ally
tinent.
Nations independence at Stake
"To-day a nation must pay with it's
independence for whatever favor it re-
ceives. That was what happened on
the League Of Nations covenant, but q
little group in the Senate said that
this country should not surrender any
OF its independence, and one Of the
first and most courageous Of that band
one of the abiest. was Connecticuts
Senator, Frank Brandcgee.
Let US not be lAisled as to the is
sue. DO we intend to abandon the
policy of Washington and Jefferson
Madison and Lincoln, Mckinley. Roose-
welt and Cleveland to travel the road
that leads us all over Europe? 1t is
stupendous, but not a complex
problem. 1t is simple and clear"
Senator Borah said that he did not
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