New-York tribune., 1919-04-19
Constant MIR. Taft

constant Nlr. att
One Of the most engaging qualities of
Mr.. Taft is his Willingness to oblige.
This is shown by the amiable indorse-
ment, cabled by him to Paris, of the
latest version Of the covenant, particu~
larly its left-handed and doubtful recog-
milton of the Monroe Doctrine Monroe
clause eminently satisfactory wires
the former President.
Three years ago Mr.. Taft took fore
most part in organizing the League to
Enforce Peace. The notable thing
about the title, as Mr.. Taft often pointed
out, was the word next to the last He
wanted no merely nominal league of
peace. He was sick and tired of vacuity
clothed in words. He was opposed to
another Hague agreement, whose value
lessness had been abundantly shown
thought spreading false hopes was harm
full. No more fooling with pious reso-
lutions. he said. He sought league
to enforce peace, with the accent on the
inintiVe
Addressing the convention of the
league on May lS last, he declared that
1.-The nations must bind themselves to a
common obligation for the future and
suppress war; He called for can in
tcrnational police force to stamp out
the beginning of every riot Of world
violence"
But it did not please President Wilson
to follow the course chartcd by Mr. Taft
Leon Bourgeois, of France, with the
cordial support of Premier Clemenceau,
labored for binding obligation to sup
press war, and moved TO establish an
international police force to give the
obligation vitality
But the President would not have this
He was unwilling last week to consent
to even the creation of general staff to
prepare plans over against day of
need and to exert itself to make weapons
and ammunition Interchangeable.
The covenant does not bind any nation
to anything. Mr.. Taft so testties. No
action can occur without common con-
sent; that is to say the covenant would
not function unless there is precxistent
such unanimity as to make coercion
superfluous.
Yet no sooner were his nostrls saluted
by this odorless bouquet than Mr. Taft
declared he liked it. The covenant was
"eminently satisfactory" He accepted it
as old man Jucllin did the Bible, "from
kiver to kiver." He would not gild re-
fined gold. The men who asked for
amendments impiously blasphemcd. With
respect to the Monroe Doctrine, he said
it was archaic, argued it was time to
give it up. He smiled approval when the
mon who had suggested revision were at
tackled as of "pygmy minds
And now, the wind having shifted, it
develops that Mr.. Taft, together with A.
Lawrence Lowell, telegraphed to Paris
on April IL that amendment Of the cove
nant was indispensable; that it was nee
essary to insert sop to quiet upholders
of the Monroe Doctrine.
Senator Lodge surely has no reason to
"pygmy" mind against the intellect Of
President Lowell. Argument, it is said
seldom convinces an opponent, but there
are exceptions to the rule. A reversal
having come, Mr.. Taft once more is
highly delighted. "Just the thing he
chortles, chat I wanted all along The
view-halloo is indeed excellent sport, pro-
vided one can keep the doubling rabbit
in sight.
Mrs. Micawber did not conceal the fact
that she never would desert Mr.. Mcaw-
ber. With respect to the covenant our
much revered cx-Prcsident avouchcs a
similar constancy. BE it much or be it
little, be it flesh or fish, be it partridge
or crow, be it peacemaker or war-in-
otter, Mr.. Taft though at times he may
be breathless from speedy changes, pur-
poses not to waver nor falter in his grin
on the coattails of the instrument.