Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-12
FIGHT ON LEAGUE
INVITATION LOOMS
Showdown Likely to Result
in Coolidge Victory
on Issue.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

President Coolidge's decision to ask
Congress for funds wherewith to send
a commission to attend the disarma-
ment conference planned by the
League of Nations means the death
knell of the movement SO far as
America is concerned, in the opinion
of 'irreconcilableS" who fought the
League of Nations. Just the opposite
view is taken by the league advocates.
For many months it has been ap-
parent that the real motive behind the
opposition to the World Court was not
the court, but the fear of America $
entry into the league itself. The anti
league members of Congress admit
this privately. And that's why they
Will strenuouSly oppose the acceptance
Of the invitation to attend the arms
parley to be conducted by the League
of Nations. They think it means ulti-
mate entry into The league, for II Con-
sress should sanction attendance at
one conference it will be "a precedent
for participating in another. and thus
in practical sense Am,rictl will be
joining with the League of Nations
leven though not specifically under
taking the obligations of the covenant.
Fight Seen Inevitable.
MIR. Coolidge had full FER and
authority to send a commission to at
tend the Geneva conference without
asking permission of Congress and
he has Il small fund out of which
expenses might be paid. but he has
come to the conclusion that the fight
over the question of participation Is
inevitable and that il might as well
lie had before America sends a com
mission as afterward when an agree
ment has been signed and awaits
ratification.
Should Congress vote to grant the
Presidents request for funds to pay
the expenses of a commission it will
be tantamount to approval of the pur-
pose of the mission. and will thus con
form To the spirit. if not the letter. OF
the restrictive reservations on the
treaty of Berlin. Also with the full
support OF the American Congress a
commission may have more weight
abroad than it would have if the cir
reeoncilable were constantly threat
ening to defeat ratification.
\ showdown now will prove clearly
that the Presidents supporters are in
the jority, and thus foreign powers
will respect the advice of the Ameri-
can commission, whose influence will
be spondinSly greater.
Mr.. Coolidge and his cabinet. aside
from their desire to promote world
peace. favor American acceptance OF
the leagues invitation for the prac-
teal reason that the United states
wants Europe TO reduce her armament
and spend her money for reconstruc-
ton. so rs to buy more American
products and. raw materials.
Land Arms Chief Subject.
The conference will spend most of
it's time on land armament and the
problem of industrial control of raw
materials used in economic warfare.
These questions are vitality related
TO American industry. and the Amer
lean Government is anxious to be sit
ting at the council table with equal
voice with the rest of the powers
rather than TO attend as an unofficial
bystander without the right to vote.
If the President makes strong plea
for authorize ton TO send a mission
he will get it, but not without con
siderable debate. which may mean no
action until the Spring.
Copyright. 1925