The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-05-28
THR EKAGUE OF NATIONS
AZ AN ISSUE

X AHenator Borah, who has been one OF
SnA most conspicuous opponents OF the
League Of Nations, declares that II the
Republican party docs not make an isc-
sre axains& the covenant Of the league
fncn some other party-win step forward
to take its place. On tho other hand
Senator Lodge CRepubttean>, chairman
of fhs Foreign RetaftonS-ceumittee. en-
uhmtactily denies that the League OF ma
lions ~ party question in any sense
md refused to discuss the question BE-
Sors tho National Republican commit
tee. No public question can be made y
marty question in this country by the
dictation Of one man. The only method
by which the League Of Nations wiz
become q party Issue will be BY d.
rect declaration for or against II In
PARTY platforms. Mr.. Borah was one
of the extreme radicals that the Repuo-
Rcan party make party issue OF woman
suffrage in 1916 and fought viciously and
abusiyely in the Committee on resolu-
tons for a declaration committing the
Republican party TO nationwide woman
suffrage. The Committee on Resolutions
wisely refused to follow Borahs leader
ship at that time. and only two years
later Borah himself. 10 the establishment
Of those who knew his previous record
voted against the submission OF an
amendment to the national constitution
favoriag woman suffrage.
Whether or not this country becomes
q member Of the so-called League OF
Nations is not a matter Of Importance
equal TO any one OF number OF other
great questions on which the battle lines
of 1920 will be drawn. The Republican
party is the protector and the guardian
of the principle OF tho protective tarin
- II has already declared itself substan'
TALLY against government ownership OF
railroads. telcgraphs and telephones. II
has already declared itself for economy
in national organization and for tho
elimination of government activities un
necessarily restricting trade and indus
try. 1t favors constructive policy thai
will return railroads TO the owners anc
will give them living rates.
We are, in this country. much more
concerned with the important domestic
probleps Of reorganization and recon
ssetaaT non than we are with internationa
&estions, but so far as we are inter
ested in international problems. The In
telligencer believes that it is the duty
Of the American Republic to make its in
nuence felt for peace and to use 1t:
power IN a friendly way for the settle
nent Of world controversies. We cannot
1--we apart from the rest Of humanity
We expect to trade with the nations Of
the old world and the new world Oul
citizens expect to travel and to liv'
among them. Our financiers and banker!
expect to make investments Of American
capital abroad. Our ships are now sail
ing the seven seas and 1t Is our ambition
that they will continue to do so in in
ereasing numbers. These things impl!
world relationships and world duties
and the greatest republic Of the worlc
can do no less than to throw the weigh
Of its voice. its influence and its exam
ple in the scales for peace and for tn
orderly development OF industry ant
commerce and for the growth of human
ity everywhere in all that makes for hu
man happiness