SENATOR LODGE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1918, Page 2

SENATOR LODGE

ATTACK ON MR WILSON. AUSTRALIAN O' N.Z. CABT.U ASSOCIATION) WASHINGTON, Dec. SenatoT Lodge speaking in the Senate, bitterly attacked President Wilson on his fourteen peace points. He said these would be certain to lead to divisions among the Allies. Though the Government was in control of the cables, lie hoped the fact that the United States Congress lind some power iu ratifying treaties would penetrate as far as tho Peace Conference at Paris. It was asingular development on the United States part, he declared, to begin competition in naval armaments with Britain. There was no further danger for the United States on the Atlantic. However a powerful fleet was needed on the Pacific. Senator l*odge asserted that the natures to the peace documents would he worth little. Germany, lie said would lie ready to sign anything and break it when it suited her. Suc-h guarantees ought to be established would satisfy the nationalities of Europe that Germany would never be able again to use Slavic populations for her purposes. Indemnities must also be demanded from Germany. In these, lie declared, the United States must share. No colonies ought to be returned to Germany under any circumstances. Ho said the attempt to form a League of Nations at- this juncture would only embarrass the peace settlement. “Was the United States,” lie said, “prepared to allow and association of nations by a majority of votts, to order American troops and ships to go to Senator Lodge said that- if the freedom of the seas meant the abandonment of a belligerent’s right to carry out a blockade, then the United States would think twice before she agreed to relinquish such a weapon. “Regarding Russia, ’he added that which calls itself a Government there is no more fit to bo dealt with than is a hand of autlioropoid apes. The United States troops there, are wholly inadequate for their purpose.