New-York tribune., 1919-03-21
Clearing the Air

The light shining out of Boston, aris-
ing from the sparks of blades when
Cabot met a Lowell, should illumine the
dark places where misrepresentation has
recently fourished.
The President, at last accounts, still
held that the constitutional convention
has adjourned and was busy framing
new maledictions to hurl at profane
amenders. Less drastic, Mr.. Taft in
Inmates that he would have the door
stay open for few days more-until
the tentative draft is converted into
final decree. President Lowell had too
much respect for the truth and himself
to assert that to oppose the covenant is
to show hostility to the league Of peace
idea; he had too much regard for can
dor and for his own repute to deny the
need of amendments.
Harvard's head could not exactly see
himself supporting either of these prop
ositions. Perhaps he feared his under
graduates would laugh if he defended
such absurdities.
The debate may be deemed rid Of con-
fusing nonsense. The attempt to cap
italize in partisan way the sentiment
in favor of some form Of international
concert for permanent peace has failed.
Two weeks exposure to the air crumbled
it. 1t had no more vitality than the
straddling proposal in 1895, when the
silver issue was up, to limit the platform
to the declaration, eve favor the money
OF the Constitution u AF-s 7''f ~1. as
The public is to hear little moro Of
the tricky question: "Don't you favor
peace?" The proponents Of the cove
nant must meet its opponents on the
issues involved. Definite criticisms have
been made. The suficiency Of some of
these President Lowell admits-that the
document is vague and that it is in need
of material amendment.
But there are others. 1t Is charged
that the covenant is more calculated to
promote war than to promote peace, and
the wrangling and distrust of our allies
SO far engendered. supports the accusa-
ton; that sovereignty is surrendered
with nothing, or practically nothing in re-
turn; that, as to this the text being clear,
this country guarantees the integrity of
every existent nation; that the Monroe
Doctrine is abandoned, and no adequate
safeguard erected against foreign intru-
sion in our domestic affairs. Here are
questions which cannot longer be lodged.
But more important than what the
league does is what it fails to do. 1t
does not meet the great hope of the
world. A re-write of The Hague con-
vention, it would probably be of no
greater benefit than the instrument Of
desuetude it would replace. 1t has al
ready introduced disharmony among the
peace makers who must be the peace de-
tenders. 1t bars the way to fuller plans
for peace. 1t delays bringing the bows
home. These issues are also undodgable.
Equally fatal, although for other rea-
sons, is the way the covenant has been
prepared. The advice Of the Senate not
having been asked, by parliamentary
trick 1T IS proposed to deny it's right to
withhold consent. This makes ratifica-
ton practically impossible. The Senate
may not allow revolution which will
give to President, with respect to
foreign affairs, such autocratic powers
a President cannot be allowed to make
peace at will and on what terms he
pleases. This would end here parlia-
mentary control over war and peace.
So far as Senator Lodge has authority
70 speak, he announces the Senate is
ready to do business. If the President
wishes to consult it, the door of ap-
proach is wide open. 1t will prepare it's
amendments if given a chance. It is
not obstructionist. and President who
has asked for no advice cannot assume
II has no plan.
Thus associated with problems relat-
ing to the contents Of the covenant is
the one Of whether great department
Of the government is to be practically
suppressed.