Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-03
SENATOR WOLCOTT


Senator Wolcott declared the Gov
ereignty of the United States would not
| be restrained Had the United States a
/ dispute with France, he said for the
purpose of illustration, the council OF the
/ league would . investigate, and the
i United States would not go TO war with
France if the council opposed. The
| United States would accede to the coun-
| ellis recommendation. Should the United
| States think the controversy had been
decided improperly, il could withdraw
from the league and go to war two years
| later. The league puts nations on a COM
mon footing. Ii bclligercnt nations do
not wait, economic punishment--com-
mercial ostracism-can be imposed. II
| any nation plunges into war ahead OF
| time, it commits an act of war against
| other nations, and they may go TO war
with it, The certainty of economic boy
/ colt and the possibility of world war are
restraining forces.
He expressed the opinion that there
| would not have been European conflict
in 1914 had the League of Nations
organized prior to that year. Germany
would not have started the war had she
thought England would keep out.
Ii the council docs not unanimously
oppose war; Senator Wolg0tt stated,
hostilities can begin three months after
the council reports.
He said the league aims TO reduce
armies. The world is in debt, and there
is no telling what will he spent on arma-
ments and TO whist heights taxes will soar
If armies are not reduced A military
bin In the Senate provides for 81, l25, 0O0-
600 The amount of the naval bill has
not been fixed. he United States will try
to equal the British Navy if armament IS
not reduced. The league aims to abolish
secret treaties. No treaties viii be signed.
unless the whole world knows about it.
Existing secret tree ties will be uncovered.
Replying to objections, Senator Wolcott
ssid the United States is not isolated from
the rest of the world and by accepting
the Leegue of Nations will not become
entangled with Europe. The United
States is not isolated from anything that
affects the worlds great interest. Dming
Nashington's administration the United
States barely avoided going to war with
France. The United States was in the
recent war. There is no great conflict
anywh,re that does not interest the people
of the United States. Roosevelt assisted
In the settlement Of the Moroccan question
If the people of the United States are
of the first magnitude, they must be con-
cerned in world affairs. The league aims
to make nations hesitate In going to war
and urges them to compose their differ
ences Even Jefferson, who opposed
entangling alliances, was ready TO form
an alliance with England.
He denied that acceptance of the
League of Nations would necessitate
surrender of jurisdiction of domestic
questions such as tariff and immigration.
Citing another objection, allowing too
many votes to a nation. Senator Wolcott
held that Canada, Australia and New
Zealand, children of Great Britain should
be represented in the assembly because
of their participation in the recent war.
He stated dispute could be transferred
from the council to the assembly and
thought the children should be excluded
from voting when the mother country was
involved in a dispute.
He recommended exaltation of peace
makers, instead Of war leaders, and
Joel's suggestion to''beat swords
into pillow shares and spears into pruning
hooks" Although the League of Nations
might not abolish war. he said, it would
promote peace and relieve mankind.
Senator Wolcott held an informal
reception st the conclusion of his address.