The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-08-01
BRATTIEBoRo AUGUST l. 1919.

sistanee by the White House. and it is |
believed the latter will command Ameri-l
can support of such strength as to make
it impossible for the senate opposition
to hold out. An eventual settlement on /,
these lines is in accordance with average
sentiment as expressed in Washington
by men from all parts of the country
1t Is pointed out that opposition to the
treaty and covenant is nothing like so
strong as 1T was at the same stage to the
constitution of the United States. Part
isan, personal and conscientious opposi-
tlon must IN the nature of things devel-
OPP when such far-reaching reforms are,
proposed. The treaty and covenant have
stood the test of a months keen discus
sion remarkably well. No fatal defects
have appeared, and it is confidently pre-
dicted that unless there should yet APP
pear some grave objection the people of
America, whose spontaneous instinct isl
for some measure aimed at getting rid
of wars, Will never consent to having the
treaty thrown back into the European
cauldron. OnSthe other hand, the people
will welcome useful participation by the
senate -s--~-
To take up some of the details upon
(which these who hold the foregoing opin-
| ion base it, the fact that there is, to
}start with, a majority in the senate for
ratification Is a favorable point This
lis, like possession, nine points in law"
Ilt not onlye protects the treaty in the
preliminary stage of amendment, but it
'hrngs to bear constant moral pressure.
Although a two-thirds vote is required
| to nominate in national Democratic
convention, only one-at Baltimore has
candidate having a majority failed of
nomination.
| 1t is argued, moreover, that the oppo-
sition IS structually weak and is sure
| to disintegrate. There are three blocks
| in the senate. First there is the pro
| treaty block; second, there is the block
| comprising senators conscientiolisly OPP
posed to the treaty or doubtful as to
whether or no they are in duty bound
to vote for rejection Block No 3 con
tains those who are hostile because of
| unworthy motives They hate Wilson
/ personally, or they are envious of his
| leadership and want to eliminate him,
or they are dyedin-the-wool Republicans
and are playing the game their way.
Among these opponents there is a bah
/ ell Of voices. Hardly any two think ex-
actly alike. This is a tremendous handi-
! cap. The case would be different If there
were current of judgment and convic-
ton running strong underneath Not
only is this lacking. but there is not ev-
en- ordinary leadership
Those who come back. from day to
day from Paris comment on what strikes
hem as lack of familiarity in the senate
with European conditions The sena-
tors seem to see through a glass darlly.
This is precisely what struck Americans
stationed in Paris about newly arrived
Americans After they had looked
around hit they were sure to join the
initiated Notable examples were George
w Nickersham and Frank Hitchcock
They came to scott and remained to pray
The reports cabled from Paris saying
that European countries would not oh
iect to reservations if the conference was
again assembled is not considered a rea
argument for the opposition to the trea
~ Everybody wants something NOR,
than it was possible to obtain. Itah
thinks that France was outrageouslv fay
ored as against her France is not SUR
that Britain didn't get the best of it. Al
4 T." small nations are sitting with mouth
wide open OF course, Germany an,
Austria feel that they were treated ont
rageously. To hold another peace con
ference IN coacss, clotheless, aud food
less Europe this coming winter would b
a folk unthiukable. American horse
sense will not seriously entertain such
proposal and well balanced people her
\ arc looking ahead to a settlement i
which the senate will play the usefu
rart of making clear any antiquities i
j the treaty and covenant, and the esser
tails in the Presidents excellent work a
Paris will stand