Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-13
The Opposition to a League Of Ma
tionS

ton. sdylngSln part:
The purpose of the resolution is 20
acquire for the people Of the United
States opportunity TO consider and pass
on tie League o. Nations provisions
after having been placed in possession
of all information respecting those pro-
visions. So far as the public is con-
cerned. this feature o. the treaty mas
teen discussed very little. except in the
way OF propa ganda. 1t has not been
customary IN this country 10 adopt
ns asures affecting established national
policies and interests without careful
de:ibe.ation.'
We trust that it will add nothing
to the perturbation Of nations TO
suggest that. no amount of "infor-
nation" or variety Of explanation"
can make the general public wiser.
so long as men they had deemed
great constitutional lawyers so radi-
cally disagree as to what the doc
ument in hand will do or will not do.
Senator Knox takes the ground
that the present League Of Nations
Covenant AMENDS the L. S. Con-
situation, and he resolves against it.
He does not tell US how it will oper-
ate to bring about the calamity. but
presents the blunt assertion. Other
great lawyers. and jurists. just as
high in the public estimation as is
Senator Knox-former President
Taft and former Acknowledgement
wickersham, for instance-say en-
phatically that such as Mr.. Knox's
claim is pretense and bugbear and
has no foundation.
OF course it is possible to delay.
on one pretext and another. the
League Of Nations Covenant until
the peace Treaty itself is disrupted.
That would mean the death Of the
League Of Nations and forever end
the hope Of those who saw in its pos
sibilities some return for our sacri-
fees in European entanglements as
a result of the old system which. OF
course. held none of the provisions
so alarming to those opposed to q
league.
For one reason and another. pow
erful interests are combined to de-
feat the highest hope Of civilization:
international provisions that will do
away with any great martial con-
fagration.
Greed and politics. There lies the
secret of all. the hatred that is
masked in sudden overweening de-
sire to protect" the country from
amazing imaginary bugaboos: Great
armies and navies must be supported
and increased. a never ending. back
breaking burden to the public. in
addition to the billions on billions
for which we are now taxed and
bonded. and double taxed and double
bonded. which are credited to the
nationalistic. regional understand
ing" no entangling alliances" plan.
And for these millions who must
carry the burden and bind them
selves thus under the thumb Of
greed. Senator Knox wishes time in
which to explain the dangers" OF
any international provisions that
would throw off the cumulative bur-
Den of armies and more armies. and
navies and more navies.
Why does he wish more time in
which to make his ground plain?
Because time will kill the Covenant?
And then the distinguished states
man turns around and saws off the
limb on which he sits. between him
self and the tree. by giving the very
essence Of the present Covenant in
the concluding article of his resolu-
ton. as follows:
5. That, finally, Il shall Be the Dc.
elarsd policy Of our Government, in
order to meet fully snd fairly our
obligations to ourselves and to the
world, that, the freedom and peace Of
Europe being again threatened by
any power or combination Of powers,
the United States will regard such a
situation with grave concern as
menace to its own peace and free.
dom, will consult with other powers
affected with . visw to dsvisins
means for the removal Of such men.
ace, and will, the necessity arising
in the future, carry out the same
complete accord and cooperation
with our chief eebsIlissrsnts for the
defense Of civilization.
There IL the bait held out for de-
lay. but every intelligent being
fears that II the present Covenant is
defeated that ends the possibility
until another war has robbed our
homes Of their best sons. and anoth-
er opportunity Is given for limitless
profiteering and graft such as have
enriched mighty interests now ar.
rayed against 'intefnationaIism,"
and filling the atmosphere OF the U.