South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-08-01
Other Editors Than Ours
\ LODGE IN y WILDERNESS.

One of the most recent Of the many moves which
Sen. Lodge has made in his diligent work of OBJ
structing the rathca ton OF the peace treaty
enter into correspondence with officials the Brit
ish government has taken occasion to spread in
formation OF his action and 10 cite in support of
some or MS own professions in the matter some OF
the British views which he he ascertaned
through his correspondence
1t would be interesting if with this information
he would impart additional information explaining
in just what function he conducted that correspond
Otherwise there might he w would
find il difficult 10 understand why this section of
The revised statutes of abe United States does
apply his
Every citizen of the United States whether ac-
tually abiding within the same or in any
foreign country, who, without the permission or
authority Of the government, directly indirectly
commences or carries any verbal written
respOndence intercourse with any foreign gov
eminent or any officer or agent thereof. with
intent 10 influence the measures conduct of any
foreign government, Of any officer agent
Of In relation 10 any disputes controversies with
government of the United States shall pun
ishcd by fine of not more than $1,000. and by
Imprisonment during less than six
months more than three years"
Sen. Lodge does rot say he entered into this cor
respondence with the authority Of the government
directly or indirectly no doubt ne would spuTn
such authority rendered him: and as
il has been announced at the white house
government knows nothing whatever OF the matter
IL is pvetty clear that the government has had no
thought of rendering him authority.
Mr.. Lodges action is all the mystfying be-
cause he has recently disclosed peculiar
OF the relations OF United States senator 20 the
chief executive. He has expressly declined inv-
tatOn by the president discuss with him the peace
treaty on the ground that senators individually
should in such discussions with the pres-
dent and that anything which that functionary may
20 say the subject should said TO the sen
ate a whole. 1t is that Mr.. Lodge must have
held different views last February when he accepted
a similar invitation the white house TO discuss
with the president the covenant OF the League OF
Nations but five months have passed since February
and Mr. Lodge has very cOnclusively demonstrated
that he can change his views several times in a
shorter period than five months. only fair.
therefore 20 assume that the set OF views an
nounced a few days ago his views he pub
icly announces their substitution by another set
II Is apparent then that ne has carried on this
correspondence with officials OF the British govern
ment without the authorization Of our government
and certainly not the United States senate as a
whole. but simply Henry Cabot Lodge as an in
dividual. at most individual United states
senator II does seem in the circumstances
that IL would require much OF a lawyer 10 make a
case against him
still il is not likely that Mr.. Lodge will be prose
cuted under the statute quoted at all
sirabe that he shOCid be Mr.. Lodge is doing a no
table service IN exposing from many angles the
animus OF most OF the senatorial opposition 10 the
League OF Nations. Most certainly the democrats
would grieve 10 Afr Lodge hailed TO prison He
can be Of most value TO them right where is
leader Of their opponents in the They would
- his bail for any rather than suffer
deprivation OF his resOurceful and treless activities
BY dungeon walls.