The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-21
WOULD RATIFY IT
Senator POmerene FayOrs the
League of Nations.
Supports Plan in Speech Be-
fore Senate Today.

Washington. July 21.-Prompt and
unreserved ratification of the peace
treaty with the league OF nations
covenant was urged upon the senate
today by Senator Pomerene, of Ohio,
Democrat member of the foreign re-
lations committee.
Senator Pomerene said the league
was not a sure preventive OF wars.
but would tend to prevent war. and
could be amended as experience re-
Quired. He replied to the criticisms
of Republican leaders and Chairman
Hays of the Republican national COM
rnittee. Much of the opposition Mr..
Pomerene asserted, springs from par
Surely" said the Ohio senator,
IF the treaty is ratified it will help to
keep our former enemies in the
straight and narrow path until the
present plan can be modified or i'm
proved so as to meet the requirements
of our future experiences and our ma
ture thoughts.
1--WE have an abiding faith that
when the nations of the world leagued
together, pledge themselves to sus-
pend warfare that international dis
putes can be submitted either to arbi-
tration or to investigation and public
ity incident thereto, it will materially
reduce the chances of war.
Don't Want Delay.
ct would not find serious fault with
some Of the proposed amendments or
reservations If they did not mean de-
lay and a consequent encouragement
to revolutionary elements. Is 1t not
going to be better. therefore, that we
surrender some of our own convic-
tons in the interest of immediate
peace, rather than to insist upon
changes which will require the pend
ing treaty to be sent back to the as
ISOLATED powers.
During the war many of US voted
for measures, not because we would
| have approved them in time of peace.
but because we felt the exigencies of
the situation required them. May we
not pursue a similar course when it
comes to the ratification of the peace
treaty?
"All of us recognize how extremely
abnormal present conditions are. The
spirit of revolution is running rife not
only in eastern Europe and within the
central powers but to some extent
among the peoples Of our allies. Ought
not our aim to be the restoration of
peace and the adoption of such meas
ures for its preservation and the pro-
lection of the new born nations as
shall seem to be sufficient in the pres
ent state of public mind?
Hun Resume Aggression.
who does not know that Germany
is not looking forward to the moment
when she may resume her aggression
against her neighbors? Who does not
know that the new governments of
Poland. Czecho- Slovakia, Jugo-Slo-
vakia and other smaller independent
nations have not been able to organize
perfect and establish government?
who is so blind that he does not
understand that It Is now necessary
and will be necessary for years to aid
in protecting the territorial integrity
and political independence for these
newly-formed governments against ex-
ternal aggression by their former mas
tiers? And further. who does not
know that for some years to come, at
least, 1t will be necessary to keep Ger
many, Austria and Turkey within the
limitations of their own boundaries?
Why. then! the intensity of opposition
against section 10?
Under the provisions of the treaty
the United States has the power to
withdraw from the league after two
years notice. Are not the political
and military conditions in Europe such
as to convince any fair minded man
that our obligations as one of the bel
ligerents will require us to be on guard
for two years and more?
I'VE did not enter this war with the
intention of turning our backs upon
our friends when it would suit some
selfish purpose. We entered It to fight
together, to win together, and in my
humble Judgment, to keep the peace
together"