Why did the republican henry cabot lodge refuse to ratify the league of nations? lodge believed article 10 of the covenant infringed on the united states' power to declare war, if necessary, and expand its territories. lodge was offended that president wilson had only selected one republican to join his delegation to the versailles peace conference. lodge felt the league of nations weakened the united states' global power and gave too many liberties to european nations. lodge thought president wilson's ideas about world order, as presented in his league of nations draft agreement, weren't realistic.