Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-24
PRESIDENT SOUGHT
ABSOLUTE POWER|N
1918, SAYS KNOX
Senator Issues His Version
of Authority Which League
Proposal Implied.
By the Associated Press.

/ By the Associated Press
CHICAGO. october Ex-senator
Philander Knox of Pennsylvania,
former Secretary of State, who has
been prevented by i'll health from
making a contemplated western
speaking trip in behalf of Senator
Harding, issued a statement today
man of the republican speakers bu-
reau, bitterly criticising President
Wilson and attacking the league of
nations covenant.
Text Of Statement.
The statament says:
"On the threshold of the adjustment
of Americas relations to all the world
and to the enemy that had cost us
the lives of our best and bravest sons
and a treasure beyond comprehension,
the egoist of the White House, when
he sailed forth single handed and
alone to recast. in his own name and
by his own proper authority the map
and the destinies of the earth, de-
manded, uncontrolled power.
I'm his demand for the election OF
a democratic Senate and House, in
1918 as he was about to take UP his
role as dictator of the world, and IN
order that his individual authority in
this vast undertaking should not be
entrampled by counsel, the President
used this language: Unless you give
me uncontrolled power you repudiate
me and my leadership before the
world He asked to be uncontrolled
by the country whose servant he IS.
This meant that he wished to be be-
yond human control, as at that time
the word of the United States was
the law Of the world.
Americans Repudiate.
'.The American people, with that
great. good sense which makes them
worthy of their heritage, promptly re-
pudiated the preposterous suggestion.
and gave him a republican Senate and
House, whose courage and patriotism
have saved what our grandsires estab-
lished and our fathers preserved.
Unabashed by this rebuke. and with
an obstinacy of purpose which had for
it's END an ambition that would have
aroused jealousy in the breast of an
Alexander OF a Napoleon, MIR. Wilson
took his way to Paris. undertook to
put us in a Super-federation of the
werld by means of what is called a
league Of nations, and is now about
to receive the nations verdict through
grave and solemn referendum, in
which he is represented by his proxy,
Mr.. Cox.
Examines Covenant.
'1f we are longer worthy of par
ticipating in a government we must
examine and judge Mr.. Wilson's su
preme effort, his so-called league of
nations.
"The proposed covenant. instead of
aboiishing war, actually sanctions.
breeds and commands it. Moreover,
1t absolutely requires that every fu-
ture war shall be a potential world
war, and that we shall be an active
participant in every such war.
The provisions Of the proposed
covenant also are destructive OF our
sovereignty. Lord Robert Cecil, the
British high priest of International
ism, respecting-as an honest man
always does-the intelligence of those
who may not agree with him, frankly
admits that it constructs an interna-
tional entity that must override ma
tionaHsm. 'oH
Senator Harding>s view.
Senator Harding recognizes that
we desire no specially insured rela-
ton to the league of nations and,
therefore. that the league as proposed
the world, under the leadership of the
United States. directed to the forma-
ton of a true league of nations under
which controversies may be judicially
QeIeF1n1neo 0n0 the curse OF war out
lawed and made an international
crime.
when we are told, as President
Wilson recently told us, THAT those
who do not care to tell you the truth
about the league of nations tell you
that article x OF the covenant Of the
league Of nations would make 1t pos
sihle for other nations to lead us
into war 1t may be just as well to
inquire who told US 80. The person
who told me that under article X we
were under an absolutely compelling
moral obligation to go to war to re-
pei external aggression against
member Of the league Of nations was
President Wilson. as the following
dialogue at the White House dis
closes:
Quotes Dial0gue.
Senator Knox-Mr President, a.
low me to ask this question: Sup
pose that it is perfectly obvious and
accepted that there is an external ag-
erosion against some power, and
suppose 1t is perfectly obvious and
accepted that it cannot be repealed
except by force Of arms, would we be
under any legal obligations to par
ticipate? -
The President-No, sir; but we
would be under an absolutely COM
Polling moral obligation
Il can think of nothing more inexo.
rHble than absolutely coYf1peIline