New-York tribune., 1919-12-01

cordance with the facts. The ratfica-
tion or non-r ratification of the treaty
Is not and was not the determining
factor in the attitude of private CAPT
tai toward Europe
What is needed and has been need
ed all along to meet the financial and
economic necessities Of Europe, with
the resulting benefit to our own situa-
Lion, is definite and purposeful leader
ship on the part of the Adminstra-
ton and appropriate legislation by
Congress-
Only with adequate reservations"
says Mr.. Kahn, will the covenant of the
league of nations be acceptable to the
American people. Senator's who stood
out for the reservations. he declares,
rendered patriotic service the value
of which will be appreciated more as
time passes.
"A majority Of their colleagues and, i,
teel sure, of the people have now
come to insist with them upon not less
than adequate reservations" he said
MIR. Kahn declares himself in favor
of compact to preserve the peace of
the world; he believes the United
States should shoulder the RESPONSE
bihty which goes with power. The
treaty with France, except for its linn
ltation by the league Of nations, has
Mr.. kahn's approval, as has the estab-
lshment of cordial relations with
Great Britain.
81 am in favor" he says. "of doing
everything incumbent upon us to make
secure and to- perpetuate that which
we and the Allied nations fought for.
But am strongly opposed TO the
league Of nations covenant as origi-
nally submitted to the Senate In
deed, ! disbelicve in the whole concep-
tion on which it rests.
"Nothing that we fought for makes
it incumbent upon us to act hence
forth as policemen of Europe and
ASA or to entangle ourselves in the
age-long racial squabbles and in
trigues of Europe and Asia, or to be-
come the guardians and guarantors for
all times of an arbitrarily and artiici-
ally demodeled world, put together in
disregard more or less, of the evolu-
ton Of centuries or the proven quail
ties and characteristics Of races, ac
cording to the judgment and formul@
and compromises Of d few men as
scmbled in secret conclave. far re
moved from the informing and vitaliz-
ing currents of public opinion.
81 had hoped (and some OF those
more competent than in international
affairs shared that hope) that in place
Oh ctca'HlS "NoiIv mover ana un'ileu
machinery of vast complexity, the
United States, England. France and
Italy would make a short simple,
solemn declaration to the world to the
effect that the high and bencficent
things We fought for we mean to pre-
serve and protect, and that any one
who assails them will find these great
European powers and America arrayed
for the defense of liberty, peace and
right.
"Such declaration would have
meant neither. an alliance with or
against anybody nor a threat toward
any other nation. 1t is true that it
would have no perpctually binding
force. But neither has the league of
nations covenant perpetually binding
/ force, inasmuch as any member may
withdraw from it on two years notice.
feel that such declaration, together
with the utilization, strengthening and
development of the existing machinery
/ of The Hague Tribunal, would accom-
plish all that we are called upon to do
in this respect, and accomplish lit more
effectively than an ironclad document