Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-19
Meeting the Issue

IF the Republican leaders Of the country
1 imagined for moment that they could
Brighten the Democratic party into an atti-
tude OF silence or apology respecting the
league OF nations project of the President
they had something TO learn. If they thought
that they could stampede the country into the
notion that America being sold out in
Paris and that the vital interests of this
nation were being sacrificed by a headstrong
President, they have been disiilusioned The
party responsible for the President who in
turn, is responsible for the league program.
Is not running away from the issue that the
Republicans have raised. It's leaders are
meeting the challenge fairly and squarcly
Homer S. Cummings chairman of the
Democratic National Committee has served
notice upon the Republican opposition that
Democrats willing and eager TO fight the
next presidential campaign upon league OF
nations lines, il Republicans desire to main
tain their present attitude. He wants il un-
derstood that If this question OF world inter-
est Is TO be made a matter OF partisanshin
in this country, the party for which he speaks
Will go through with 1t and do It with con-
hcence In the verdict OF the American people
|! He holds, as does almost every other lead
t ing Democrat, that the question of a ieague
OF nations ought not to become matter of
domestic politics. II is far too important
a matter TO be dragged into purely partisan
debates but if there is no escape from il the
Democrats are prepared 10 defend the policy
which the President has pursued
inc chances are that before many months
have passed the Republican leaders will
abandon their partisan campaign. They will
I hnd II too hazardous TO make il straipbt
party issue. They will find their own peonIc
! divided on il even to a greater extent than
! is now the case Already the frmness with
| winch former President Taft has stood with
| ,he president upon the Question has left the
! Republican party promoters in an en- barrass-
| ing SITUATION They have tried to win him
| away from the league, as proposed They
| have twisted some Of his utterancc. 10 NEE,
| their partisan ends, but every time they made
a move in that direction, he has come forward
WIN more nnanswerable argument in behalf
OF the Presidents program. Many other re-
, puhiicans OF independent thought have t.lcn
the same course.
II President Wilson brings home with him
peace treaty which contains the Icaguo m
nations project and il he submits tho ur,Io
measure 10 inc Senate for action few men
believe that the treaty will be rcicctcd
Almost every reason exists for bclicyinp ~ ,
IL VIII DC ratified, and If 1t is that rattle.
uon VIII come through Republican vo,oe
"nch vote inevitably must wipe the lcaruc
OF nations from the political man II III,
cease 10 he Il partisan issue. There =. in mos,
DC many people who oppose the cov.n,n, IN,
no ground will be left for Eonuh,i..,, ~
FORM makers to assaii tho treaty. They NAV
protest, hut they cannot condemn win ,n
record OF a Republican Senate e,arinr ,hnn,
in the face. 80 '"'"'
IL Is worthy OF note tha, no candidate ma,
appeared 10 contest with Judge NiIi,,n ~
/ wv" w. hohol OF succeeding 10 tho position