Arizona republican., 1919-02-24
Divisions on the League

The chief or the immediate affect of the League Of Nations not be the peace Of the "oru' but warfare in the republican party whose ravages will be felt in 1920 Mir. Taft who whether he can be regarded as an available candidate is perhaps more frequently thought of in connection with the republican nomination than any other man. has taken the most decided stand in favor of the league and with bitterness which is not characteristic of him and with lack of diplomacy is characteristic has assaed other republican leaders who opposing it. or even questioning the form of the covenant It also appears that very large majority of the republican leaders are at present dissatisfied with the covenant
 The democrats are by means united. Some Of them are openly opposed to the league. Others, those for their subserviency to the administa ton of course supporting the covenant but the really strong democratic leaders have far remained silent either deference to the request of the pres dent until he can confer with them; perhaps they want first to learn what the people think of it. At this time that probably Of greater importance than the presidents opinion of the league.
 We observe that the proponents of the league are doing what is always done when thought is divided upon any momentous question-invoking the spirits of the dead. They contending that Washington and Lincoln if living, would favor the league. On the contrary the opponents presenting such proof as is available-and that is none. that Lincoln and Washington would have opposed such alliance.
 As a matter of fact neither sfde can know what Lincoln or Washington would have said done in a matter which was brought to their attention; might have been one side and one might have been on the other. And we may add without disre- spect either of these great Americans that frightened as they both must have been regarding the problems of the first quarter of the twentieth century, they would be less competent to speak than many of living statesmen.
 But coupled with the names of these great fathers. that Of the last of the trio of greatestAmercans Dr. Van Dyke Saturday said at Salt Lake hoped tho American people would accept the pact pinning their faith the endorsement of the great leader who had just died-Coonel Roosevelt" pr. Van Dyke is dangerous ground for are the utterances of Colonel Roosevelt the plan of a League of Ma tions that they constitute easily accessible record
 1t is true that Colonel Roosevelt favored a league but it is not true that he in accord with Mir Taft or Mir Wilson in this matter To him a League of Nations a guaranty of peace was a poor substi- tute for national preparation and national self-re- lianee. He favored League as a means of prornot- ing and maintaining frendliness of relations through out the world.
 It is matter of the dearest record though that ho opposed to the arbitration of any matters touching the national honor that he was opposed to agreement which would towards denation- alization The words of Colonel Roosevelt were so recent and habitually plain. so incapable of a double or twisted meaning so lacking in the need of interpretation, that it is dangerous to quote him in advocacy of thing which he opposed. It would be as perilous as it would have been to attempt to put him into false position while living
 So, before the shade of Colonel Roosevelt can be successfully invoked in support of the covenant of the league of nations need not interpret his own plain words but the somewhat obscure language of the bitration section of the covenant