South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-09
CUMMINGS RAPS
PARTY CRITICS
Says That Right and Justice
Demand Support For
Nations League.

INDIANA'OllIS. April 3-Declar-
Ing that "all who love America and
peace and liberty should take a sol
emn pride in supporting President
Wilson in his efforts 70 secure a
treaty or peace. based upon a stabi-
liking OF justice may be applied TO
all nations alike" Homer S. Cum
mings. democratic national chair
man. in an address at banquet Civ
en- IN his honor by democratic state
leaders here Tuesday night. said SEN
alto leaders OF the republican party
are rapidly making themselves alb
surd." in their opposition 20 the
president
'The present time is az peIilOus
as any period or the war" said Mr..
Cummings The heavy responsible
tiles resting upon the president are
more easily borne by one who is con-
scious of sympathetic support at
home Let us have less criticism
and more lusty Americans. The
president is bending every energy TO
realize the dearest hope ever cher
isned by humanity The best thought
OF the world is in accord with this
purpose The CHASTITY tragedy, which
has overwhelmed the souls OF men,
must be banished forever"
Attack in Back.
The disposition TO shoot at the
president" while his back is turned
and while he is engaged IN the most
difficult and important international
negotiations Of all times, does not
commend itself to ones sense or fair
ness, said Mr. Cummings. The presi-
dent ne declared has gone further
than any or his predecessors in at
tempting 20 satisfy senatorial claims
for the right 20 participate in franz
ing up international agreements. He
defended the presidents every act
and pointed with pride 10 the party's
record since 1913, when it came into
power.
Answering those who assert that a
league of nations would embroil the
United States i'm the affairs OF Europe
and force America into future wars.
Mr.. Cummings said that no such
league existed when the United
tSates was forced into this war. and
that 1T was only when we formed in
haste a league Of nations under uni
fed command that we were able to
win this war"
IF such a result" he continued,
"can be achieved by an informal and
temporary association OF this char
acter. why should it not be contin-
ned in a more definite and binding
form and what plausible reason can
be suggested for losing the tremen-
dous asset which the world has
thereby gained.
Attitude Crucial Test.
"The crucial test Of those who dis
cuss the league OF nations. consisted
IN the attitude they disclose Is this
attitude sympathetic and helpful OF
is Il partisan and critical Is the
purpose constructive or destructive
Is an honest attempt being made tC
forward this great project or is II
the purpose 10 hamper those who
are engaged I'm the work so that the
whole plan may fan into confusion
and become ineffective ."
Mr. Cummings asserted that tn,
people viii have little difficulty il
distinguishing between the friend,
or the league. who want that league
established now. and the spuriou.
friends OF the league. who plead fol
delay" He declared that former
President Taft is doing more TO save
the responsibility and honor anC
very existence Of the republican party
than all the thirty-seven round rob
in senators combined" He added
that no man nor party that intention
ally places obstacles in the way o
the league will survive long enough
20 outlive the memory Of such an OF
ferlng against humanity and civil
zatiou"
league vs.. Big Armies.
Old methods or large armies an,
navies being maintained by each ma
tion must obtain unless the league i
created. he said while he foresee
general disarmament brought abou
10y IT'S creation
Criticisms was expressed OF the pro
posed ORGANIZATION 20 be effected b.
republicans OF the next congress b.
AR. Cummings. who charged tina
"reaCtionaries are debating the pol
icies OF the party The failure O
the last congress 10 enact pendin
legislation OF importance ne said
was due 20 q republican hHbuSte
which method "of defeating legisIa
tion has been so often misused q
the senate that the word 'fHbuste
has become obnoxious TO the public.