South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-17

but let see how hard Nessrs. Taft and Root
plugged Cor g. in what tone and what respect they
had for republicans in the senate" whom the for
particularly accused of pleading protection
the Monroe doctrine excuse for opposing the
League of Nations. rather than strengthening it."
Get this from his New York speech:
Much OF the opposition 10 the Paris plan
IS purely political designed 20 defeat the
league rather than strengthen Much OF II
too results from misunderstanding Of It's pro-
posals because OF the unjust. and untruthfuI
criticism of those proposals advanced by its
critics bent upon killing it. I find nothing in
the Paris covenant, as II stands (and that
near month ago. that would take way
national sovereignty that would destroy any
Of the principles OF Monroe doctrine: would
not force us 20 send soldiers and ships 10 fight
abroad against will; 1t would break
down present barriers against immigration; it
would not interfere with tariff laws; IL
would not compel US to submit purely domestic
questions 10 the decision OF foreigners"
That is the manner in which William Howard
Taft so hot for Col House, that he just
had to amend the Paris covenant to read Monroe
doctrine protection into right back of the
republicans in the didn't he? Now get this
from Elhu Root:
While it may not be necessary il is per-
haps better make certain changes placate
opinion, especially in the direction of definite
acceptance Of the Monroe doctrine, though as
1 understand it, it is already the real basis of
the instrument"
Some "hre-eater," this Elihu Root in forcing ac-
ceptance of the Monroe doctrine upon the Paris
conference, isn't he? He thought it better Ito pla
cate opinion" which by inference he admits to be
opinion based upon misconception. spread by those
wonderful republicans in the senate and other
American citizens republicans and democrats
alike too bone headed to see in the league con-
stitution acceptance of the Monroe doctrine UNI
less it is labeled and the actual term used. For
their benefit and not to satisfy either Mr. Taft or
Mr.. Root Col. House drafted an amendment so
labelling it, and we think we see the peace conferees
smilingly accepting while rejecting the Amer
lean opposton's shallow brains.
If the above isn't enough. maybe this from George
w. Wckersham, Mr.. Tafts attorney general while
president. will be enghtenng:
THE League of Nations covenants are an
application OF the Mo1roe doctrine the affairs
of the world. 1t is not perfect and will admit Of
amendment claimed is perfect.
Scarce any law 1 logic in the
criticism of the league constitution SO
sequential to justify its defeat even it
stands"
That too is a statement month and better old,
here three republicans probably as bright as
the republican editor whom we have quoted above.
who seem be Of pretty much the same type of
blamed fools as Pres't wison.-but of course that
isn't the point The point is difference how big
the misrepresentation, monstrous the lie; any
thing to make it appear that the president, and
those with him. never do anything unless forced by
the "Us and God" opposition Never a more vic
ious campaign of play upon ignorance. and for the
promotion Of ignorance-which is misinformaton
well non-informaton-indulged in. in all the his
tory of mankind.