Final answer:
In his speech, Henry Cabot Lodge would likely express opposition to the League of Nations, pointing to concerns over Article X and its implications for American sovereignty and military autonomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the historical context, one might predict Henry Cabot Lodge would express strong reservations or outright opposition in his speech about the League of Nations. As a conservative leader and a vocal critic, Lodge was concerned about entanglements in European affairs and the implications of joint economic and military actions suggested by the League. In particular, Article X of the League's covenant, which called for mutual defense among member nations, posed a significant problem for Lodge and like-minded senators, who were apprehensive about relinquishing America's power to make autonomous military decisions. Lodge's skepticism was partly driven by a desire to retain congressional control over war declarations and to avoid commitments that might draw the United States into unwanted conflicts.
Lodge and his colleagues, known as Reservationists, sought amendments that would limit the implications of Article X. They aimed to ensure the sovereign power of the United States was not compromised by the covenant of the League. Thus, Henry Cabot Lodge is likely to articulate these concerns in his speech, arguing for a more nationalist approach and emphasizing the need for America to maintain control over its own foreign policy choices rather than be bound by an international organization's decisions.