New-York tribune., 1919-11-21

The Presidents Death Decree


voted for an unconditional ratifca-
ton. On another roll call forty-one
Senators voted for ratification with
reservations. The only name appear
ing on both lists is that Of Senator
McCumber.
Excluding the one duplication, it
appears that seventy-nine Senators
favored ratifcation-that is, par
ticipation by this country in the
league of nations.
Present and voting were ninety
four Senators. Thus there is the
amazing spectacle of fifteen Sena-
tors, less than one-sixth, having
their own way over the wish and
will of more than fve-sixths major
1ty. When in parliamentary history
was there ever such victory by
negligible minority?
The triumph is with Senator
Borah and the group of so-called
"irreconcilables" opposed to entry
into the league. These are the only
ones who have had their way. They
have won, not only over the Admin
istration, but over Senator Lodge
and large majority of the Repub-
licans of the Senate.
Where rests the chief blame for
the fasco is not open to doubt. 1t
is with the President. Many Demo-
cratic Senators, probably majority
of them, were willing to join the ma
jority of Republicans in voting for
ratification with reservations. But
the President ordered them to vote
with Senator Borah, and they obeyed
and become merely "me toos" If the
White House had not interviewed to
prevent ratification the country this
morning would be rejoicing instead
of mourning.
Any one desiring to know where
blame rests need only ask the ques-
ton Of what would have been the
result if the President had not
written his letter.
The country, salmost as unani-
mously as did the Senate, sought
ratification, and every test has
shown that It's majority wished rati-
fication with reservations, But the
President, displaying the obstinacy
which is a byword on two CONT
nents, an arrogance which Europe
recognizes as does America, said
no" OF what consequence was the
opinion of the country? He must
have his precise way. Unless the
Senate and country were content to
be dummies, he preferred wreck and
ruin.
The President has presented him
self as friend of the league. His
interest in it is subordinate to re
gard for a pride, to use no stronger
phrase, beyond parallel in our pub
lie annals. He manned his child in
its early days, and when ATTEMPTS to
straighten out it's crooked members
were about to succeed he killed it.
The Tribune has not hesitated to
express the opinion that in some re-
spects the reservations were un-
necessarily strong. 1t has seen no
reason why the preamble should not
be modified or even eliminated, or
why the reservations could not be
made more general.
But throughout the struggle The
Tribune has also recognized that the
Senate has been insulted, the Con-
stitution has been mocked, and it is
not surprising that arrogant self
will aroused spirit Of resistance.
One may be sure that men who con-
sidered their country first would
quickly have consented to changes
and b lifting the debate above the
level Of personality had they been
consulted in anything like a proper
spirit. AS things have been, not
only self-respect but allegiance to
their oath Of office has constrained
them to resist the Presidents uncon-
stitutional pretensions.
The Presidents decree Of death