South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-08-24
League of Nations, Prohibit
ton, H. c. l., and BOlShev-
ism May Cause Split.
BY LOUIS LUDLOW.

than one. is Indicated by all exist
ing signs on the political horizon.
Political unrest Is rampant
throughout the country. old poliu-
cal aIignments are being broken up
and blocks Of voters are looking for
some place 20 go. DiscOntent rami-
flies everywhere through the politi-
cal structure.
Postwar conditions and questions
are the rocks on which party lines
are being shattered. Never before
did % national campaign year draw
near with 50 many uncertain factors
entering into the situation. Never
before were so many loaded" IS
sues blowing party structures into
smithereens.
Just what results will come out OF
all OF - no one is wise enough 20
predict The elements OF unrest are
now In a condition OF hux. without
any definite mOorings. Later on they
will begin 10 take shape behind
parties. issues ard candidates and
then the lineup viii become more
clear and distinct.
Four FactOrs Seen.
There are now four great factors
at work changing the political af-
nliations OF men in the United States
and making over the political map.
They may be defined roughly as fol-
lows:
League OF Nations.
Prohibition.
High cost OF living.
4-Bolshevistic tendencies.
de Of de @F
American citizens subscribe 10 the
theory that the United States ought
TO attend 10 is own business and
keep is nose out Of European af-
fairs" These people say here al
ready has been altogether too
much mixing in matters that do not
concern the United States and that
this nation can best preserve is pow
cr for good throughout the world
by remaining strong and independ-
emit rather than by being tied 10 n
League OF Nations IN which foreign
powers will always be able TO out
vote the United States six 10 one.
They shudder at the thought that
American boys will be conscripted
to keep the peace and put down
uprisings among European nations
with whom war is a pastime and
who are always at each others
threats.
Sentiment Is Strong.
That the sentiment is very strong
among people who take this view
and that il is growing stronger all
the time is indicated by the change
in the trend OF correspondence that
is now coming 20 senators and rep
resentatives Many persons who at
first blush thought the League OF
Nations would be an insurance pol
icy against future wars have reach
ed different conclusions and are
frankly writing 10 members OF con-
Eress that they have changed their
minds. The changing tide of CORES
pondeuce seems to furnish a basis
for the prediction now often made
that IL action on the League cove
nant were delayed a year the senti-
ment OF the country would be found
almost unanimous against IL.
This situation gives rise TO poten-
tial possibilities looking toward tile
formation OF a new party. Presun-
ably the League of Nations covens Mt
will be ratified with reservations n
which event the basic purpose in
the formation OF the new party,
which probably would be called the
American" party, would be TO pave
the way for a withdrawal of the
United States from the League IN
the manner prescribed in the League
constitution. Sen. Borah Of Idaho
already has served notice that If the
League is ratified he will transfer
= oil 10 ri
even II he is the only member OF
IT, ard he has indicated il will have
At least one other member. mean !
ing Sen. Johnson OF California. That !
a new party. based on the principle |
Of America for Americans" and 1
freedom from entangling alliances, |
would attract an enormous follow |
ing cannot be doubted.
Begin in Texas.
Down in Texas the first steps al !
ready have been taken toward the /
formation or another new national !
party. TO be composed of men who /
are dissatisfied with reforms that 1
have been wrought at home under /
the democratic party as now consti- !
tuted. particularly prohibition and !
woman suffrage. The Anti-Saloon !
League OF America. the force that /
brought about the existing dry |
state. is terrifying itself 10 meet this \
new movement. Wayne B. Wheeler, 1
general counsel OF the league and !
its spokesman in all such matters.
has fred the leagues first shot at
the proposed new party in the fol-
lowing statement.
ANY national party whose mis-
sion is 10 repeal an amendment rat
ided by As states and 70 resurrect !
the most lawless and corrupt traffic /
which ever cursed the American \
people and 10 champion reaction /
generally is doomed 20 failure be-
fore IL starts
Mr. Wheeler called attention that /
former Sen. Joe Bailey, who IS the /
leading factor along with former /
Gov. Ferguson. in the Texas dis
turbance" made his first threat 70 |
form a new party at the legislative !
hearing ar Albany on Feb %. when /
ttVF-orrrT van Ta-f ~,v- ffn Il