Evening journal., 1921-11-28
.BORAH AGAINST
HARDING'S idea
Says Society of Nations
Is Unlike Wilson's
League
SAYS 1T WOULD
DO SOME WORK

WASHINGTON. Nov. rs. The
continuing Association OF nations
which, according TO reports. Presi
dent Harding has foreseen as a pos
sible outcome OF the armament con-
ference. would be "the old League
of Nations under another name
Senator Borah, Republican. Idaho,
declared in a statement issued last
night
Senator Borah's statement reads:
The proposed association OF ma
tions has not yet been reduced 10
form nor yet defined. But from what
one can gather here and there. It is
the old League OF Nations under
another name. II will be engaged
in precisely the same kind OF work
and doing the same kind OF things
that were proposed by the league.
It is not what you call it but what It
is that counts.
Fundamentally and in the prac-
teal workings Of the association Of
nations. It will not differ from the
League OF Nations. see no rea-
son, therefore. why the .forty-three
nations which have signed the league
should be asked TO abandon Il and
transfer their names to an associa-
ton OF nations. II we want to go
into this kind of a proposition, there
is no reason why we should not ex-
pertinent with the one they have.
1T is claimed by the advocates Of
the league that the present league
has been of much service to Eu-
rope. II so, there is no reason for
asking Europe to scrap the old
league and try a new one. II we are
going into Europe we ought to go
in II We are not. we ought not to
be handing her a new league every
ninety days. She will likely con-
clude that after the next Presi-
dental election she would have an
other league. I see no difference
whatever in joining the present
league and joining another league
by a new name.
The United States operates un-
der a written constitution. Great
Britain has no written constitution.
One OF the arguments being put
forth now In favor OF the associa-
tion OF nations is that Mr.. Wilson
made a mistake in giving his plan a
written constitution, that we should
adopt the British idea and under
take TO conduct the league or an as
sociation OF nbtions without any
written covenant whatever. In other
words, that the new association will
consist Of representatives OF differ
ent governments coming together
with no limitation upon their juris-
iiction or power or authority other
than their own discretion. A con-
clave of diplomats sitting behind
closed doors with nothing to direct
or limit their powers save their own
will and discretion would be a
rather interesting proposition. 1 am
inclined TO think that IL the Ameri-
can people choose a league they viii
choose one which has its powers de.
fined, or at least an attempt TO define
them, rather than trust their destiny
to the unbridled discretion of a few
men.
Lloyd George suggested som,
time ago. according TO the pres
dispatches. that the Anglo-Japanes'
alliance be extended to an Anglo
this alliance take upon itself th'
duty Of administering China Now
It is said. that such an alliance
would be wholly Objectionable {,
the American people. but that undel
an association Of nations the SAM
thing could be effectuated and &C
complished. 1t is also being urge,
that while the people OF the Unite,
states would not be willing to form
an alliance with France and Grea
Britain to guarantee the security o
France, the same thing could be &C
complished under an association o
nations without any constitution.
1T Is also urged that the interna
tionai debt could be more success
fully manipulated through the asso
citation. All OF which things simpl
disclose that the association Of ma
tions Is another name for the leagu
with some additional and more ex
tensive powers annexed.
'It does not appear as yet wheth
er we are to have two leagues o
one league and ole association o
whether It is to be that the leagu
organized by Mr.. Wilson will b
merged into the association organ
lied by President Harding. It wi
be very difficult to get rid Of tn
present league unless the Versatile
treaty is radically modified. but
presume we will know more whe
the matter is reduced to such cor
crete form as will enable us to gras
Il or at least TO try to do So"
Senator Borah was one OF the III
reconcilables' in the Senate who OF
posed the League Of Nations as CON
prised in the treaty OF Versailles. h
j maintained throughout the fight
position OF unalterable opposition
the league, with or without reservi
tions and for this reason was foun
in the ranks of those voting again
the various Lodge reservation
senator Borah voted for the knc
% resolution, the purpose Of whic
was to repeal the joint war resol'
tions and enact a Congressiom