South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-02
LEAGUE COVENANT
POLITICAL ISSUE
G. o. P. Trys Backing Away
From Position Taken by
Hays at st. Paul.
By HORACE III. HERR.

Many republican newspapers and
members OF the republican organi-
zation have spurned Pres't Wilson's
advice and request that the proposal
for a League Of Nations be divorced
from partisan politics and treated
on its merits, as policy OF interna-
tional relationships. and are at
tempting 20 make this momentous
question a political issue in the next
presidential campaign.
To set an example OF the unpar-
tisan consideration which ne wished
the covenant Of the league 10 receive
IN the senate and among the people,
Pres't Wilson shared the platform
with former Pres't Taft, republican,
in delivering his address in New
York just before his return to
France.
In addition 70 his personal efforts
20 make his actions suit his words In
this respect, Pres't Wilson has let
IL be known that he would welcome
cooperation between the democratic
and republican organizations 10 edu-
cate the American people concern
ing the intent Of the league and the
machinery by which it is 10 operate
10 prevent war.
In the face OF this endeavor on
the presidents part, 10 have a dis
cussicn OF the league wholly free
from partisan spirit AID purpose,
VIII II. Hays. chairman Of the re-
publican national committee, in a
speech at St. Paul committed his
Il
gave every indication that the un-
dertaking of the peace conference to
preclude wars. is, If possible, TO be
made a vehicle upon which his
candidates can ride into office.
Take Decided Stand.
Since the unequivocal pronounce
ment Of Chairman Hays, the New
York sun, one Of the organs OF
eastern republicanism. has issued a
passionate appeal 10 the directors
OF its party to declare against the
league and make this opposition a
battle cry in the coming campaign.
il was not because ne feared the
result that Pres't Wilson counseled
against permitting the league 10 be-
come involved in purely partisan
politics. lie had reason 10 be quite
sure that the people Of the United
States as much as those in other
countries were overwhelmingly in
favor CT an international coalition
against war. If there was dlvi-
sion for and against such a League,
Pres't Wilson Is in no doubt that a
vast preponderance Of the American
people would be among its ajvo-
Gates and supporters. The republic
cans would simply be espOusing the
views of a minority if they attempt
ed to represent and marshal the op-
ponents of a league.
Republican senators know very
we'll that the demand for com
pact to stop wars and preserve the
peace OF the world is all but uni
versal. and that is why they are now
qualifying their first opposition u
a league. Sen. kellogg, who spoke
from the same platform with Chair
man Hays. has since announced
that he found the people of Mime
sofa almost unanimous for a league
OF nations. other hostile senators
have made like discoveries since re-
turning to their respective states.
Democrats have no cause to fear.
and every reason to welcome, a re-
publican challenge TO make Amer
lean adherence to a league OF ma
tons a partisan issue. Observers
and analysts OF political and ma
tional events cOncede that the dem
ocratic party cannot fail TO obtain
all the profit and the republicans
all the pains from such an endeavor.
Taking Another View.
If the republican senators who
signed the rOJnd-robin pledging
themselves to vote against ratifica-
ton OF a league Of nations should
fulfill this threat. they would be in
viting a catastrophe, and certainly
would delay. or wholly prevent. the
conclusion OF peace Should their
opposition finally block the forma
ton OF a league OF nations they
would have battered the first great
and promising movement in history
20 stop international conflicts.
Putting the case on the low plane