The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-05-23

similar to those experienced by the
traditional lad invited to the wood
shed by resolute' sire with single
in his hand.
But it is the province of schoolmas-
tiers to teach, not to learn. So we are
to have it all over again. Undoubted-.
" the inspired world speaks by the
card when it declares that "this is
treaty that cannot be made over by
the senate" that anything less than
out-and-out ratification is equivalent
to rejection" and that if the whole
thing is not approved "as it stands
the United States will be excluded
from the peace" and state of war
will continue indefinitely. Conse-
auently the senate must waive its con-
stitutional prerogatives, ignore its re-
sponsibilities and refuse to perform
the duty imposed and accepted by the
oath of office, at the behest~of an
individual, simply because for the
time being he happens to be presi-
dent
1t is all buncombe, of course. Prob
ably, though far from surely, not even
the world would maintain that the
senate would have been endowed
with the right to amend proposed
treaties if it had not been expected
to exercise that right. And there is
nothing peculiar in the existing sit
uation in a technical sense. The
senate can amend and ratify at the
same time lit has done so oyer and
over again. notably in 1890 and in
1906. when having Resolved. further,
that the senate, as part of this ratifi-
cation" it made certain reservations.
In each of these cases. the other par
ties accepted the amendments and no
further action by our government was
required
The same thing can be done again
done in forty-eight hours after the
treaty is received if the terms of
peace with Germany only be brought
under consideration. Not a single
senator would vote or speak a word
against those terms pronounced sat
isfactorv bv the European allies. But
that, we are duly informed, Mr.. Will
son will not have. 1t is not peace
that he wants; it is his precious
league. He will have that or nothing
There is no occasion for wonder.
Mr.. Wilson's position is quite under
standable. He has given up every
thing in his possession worth keep
ing for his country to get 1t. 10
achieve his ambition to remake Amer
lea, he betrayed China and tried to
betray Italy, to say nothing OF scrap
ping the commandments to which he
had pledged his inviolate faith and of
transforming the wild huzzas of Eu-
ropean multitudes into the savagest
execrations,
None can deny the magnitude Of
Gus. Naturally he wants his reward,
his coveted prize; and the only way
he can get it is by browbeating the
senate; hence the prospective appeal
to the people to rise en- masse and
forbid-the dotting of an or the cross
ing of t.
Well, however deeply we may and
ordinarily do sympathize with one
who strives but vainly with all his
might and main, it can't be done.
Whatever form the changes NAV take,
whether of complete excision of all
references to the league or of amend
ments designed to safeguard the ira
ditional policies of the country, the
present senate will never accept the
odious covenant, "as it stands"
And If peace settlement shall fail or
be delayed in consequence of Mr.
Wilson's refusal to let the people
themselves determine the way of the
destiny of their own republic, the re-
sponsibility for that failure or delay
will rest squarely upon him and him
alone.