New-York tribune., 1919-11-14

into period of international conflict
Misunderstanding, political bitterness
ana social nntagonism, for which it in
diiiicuit to find a parallel Some say
the situation is natural heritage Of
world war. stage in the process Of
reconstruction, while others believe
Americanism is facing its supreme
!riat, a gi'mmer of light may be seen
IN the decision of the coal miners to
submit their case to mediation.
Upon one point there is no disagree
meht the present uncertainty and
unrest cannot continue without seri
onsiy inluring the commercial and
economic position of the United States.
Situation Favors Agitators
No one desires to frittcr AWAY tho
countrys strength and wealth unless
ne Is some wild extremist who can
,hriVe only on disorder and class revo-
iutloh. But the agitator has been en-
Toying situation which could not
have developed more satisfactorily If
ne had fashioned it himself.
for months the country has listened
70 descriptions of the dangers to the
lloepehoence OF the United States, to
our eonstltutional rights. to our free
dom of thought and action lurking in
the treaty of Versailles. These dan
gers may be profound; the descriptions
may nave been perfectly accurate ~
even have understated the seriousness
OF our international obligations under
the treaty. American statesmen sittinc
IN the council of the league of nations
might be no match for the European
masters of statecraft The onlv no;nt
to be made here is that the countrv's
attention has been directed almost ex-
cIusIveiy TO the perils without our bor
ders. 1t made no difference whether
'he speaker was Senator Reed, Demo
Srat. OF Missouri, or Senator Walsh.
Democrat, of Massachusetts, or Sena.
tor Lodge. Republican leader from
wa ssachusetts or Senator johnson. Re-
publican, of California.
Senate Talks Itself Out
Without exception they have heen
earnest and ever watchful in their ef-
1orts to protect the interests of the
united States. The country cannot
complain of lack of information if il
accepts obligations which prove embar-
RAISING in the future
a senator told me to-day the Sen
5te mad talked itself out "Wheneve1
l. rise to speak" he said, 81 feel am
fepeaIlhg something | have said many I
..mes before. 1t is much the same feel |
ing have when l appear before a
large audience during a political cam
Falgn alter having made seven to ten
speeches. earlier in the day The anec-
dotes seem stale; all the snap has
gone. The speech which considered I
snarp and witty seems fiat and full
OF empty platitudes.''
Whatever the criticisms Of the mo.
t'ves actuating the opponents and pro I
ponents of the treaty, the charges of |
poltlcal expediency. the Senate can
Not re attacked on the ground that it |
mas tailed to point out to the country
the demerits of the treaty 1t has T
EXHAUSTED itself mentally and physi-
caiiy IN performing this duty. Every
thing else has been excluded.
Industrial Problem Serious
Meanwhile the country mas been torn
and strained internally The domestic
problem has grown to such alarming
proportions that Washington has be
gun 10 wonder whether it has not been
a mistaken po' icy to look almost en-
Nreiy at the dangers outside of the
country and ignore the threats so close
At hand.
Prise and excitement With which the
ieVe opments in the coal strike have
been received and the change in the !
attitude toward the international labor
conference. which has been in session /
tor fortnight. Those in authority.
hose upon whom the responsibility .
rests have not minimized the serious
ness of the industrial problem
The conflicts between capital and
abor have worried them. The unwill-
ingness of employers and employees to
negotiate has disturbed them more
han they cared to admit Leaders in
the great trade union movement have
boasted and threatened. while secretly
they were fearful of the results of the
course they were following Employ
ers of large bodies Of workers present
ed an unbroken front, but in their
hearts q spirit of compromise ana
desire to cooperate and deal squarely
with their employees.
u. S. Sovereignty Asserted
If the problem is merely that of the
triumph or overthrow of Americanism
thc battle was ended before it really
started. The governments action in OBJ
tanning an injunction against the strike
leaders has served a useful purpose if
only in that it has forced powerful
group of workers to decide for or
against law and order. 1t was test
of their Americanism. The sovereignty
of the United States has been asserted [
That is the glimmer of light which
responsible heads see in the news from
indianapolis. There is no greater
force in this land than constitutional
government; it is force more power
Sul than that Of employer or employee
rt,,