Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-12-19
COMPROMISE, NOT SURRENDER

SlStlns mat the peace treaty be dis
posed of now so that the country can
settle down to business. He Is not
playing a very strong hand, however,
In adopting a policy Of compromise or
surrender. Naturally, If tho reac-
t~ionary Republicans who follow Sen
stor Lodge know tina by refusing to
compromise on mild reservations they
can win q complete victory, they are
not likely to compromise.
Ratification must be accomplish
ed" Il y the Alabama senator
Business must have peace. Some
thing will break soon If peace is not
restored. The country, which appre
ciates the real seriousness Of the out
look. Is behind the demand for ratif-
cation"
The senator speaks truly. The fact
that the country is behind the de-
mand for ratification is the reason
why the peace treaty cannot be con-
sidered dead, as Senator Lodge would
have us believe. It is time for the Re-
publican senators to overlook their
hatred OF the President and their
petty p~artisanship and consider the
welfare of the country. Once they do
this and the senate agrees on a basis
of ratification Which the President
can accept there is every reason to
believe with Senator Underwood that
the President viii accept 1t.
II was ana am first of oil for UNI
qualified r~atHcation," tho senator
goes on 60 say and here he takes his
stand with the forward-looking,
progressive men Of the country.
Through unqualified ratification of
the treaty America win take her
place at the head OF the democracies
of the world for the advancement of
civilization n the uplift of humanity.
But" says the senator, ST got a
vote on that unqualified ratification
in the senate and / got licked. That
proved to me pretty conclusively that
unqualified ratification is ont of the
question" There is nothing like
knowing when one is licked. 1t is
quite apparent tina with the present
temperament OF the senate, the treaty
cannot be ratified without some form
of reservations. We have too many
public mon stIll living in the past
who seem utterly oblivious OF the
changes throughout the world caused
by the war,
"Therefore," says Senator Under
wood. being convinced that unqualified
ratification IS impossible and realizing
that ratification in some form must
be had, II favor. as second best, a set
OF mild reservation-not the Lodge
reservations, for It has been pretty
clearly shown that they cannot COM
mand sixty-four votes /
Hero again the senator is on safe
ground. Compromise seem to be the
only way out. Half q loaf is better
than none. II there Is not sufficient
craftsmanship In the United States
Senate to permit America to take adj
vantage of the present opportunity to
play 3 Zig part among nations, lead
In the future progress of the world
and advance civilization to a point
that has been the dream Of centuries,
then, Of course, We ought to go as
far as we can within the limited vision
OF those In control Of the situation,
But Senator Underwood loses the
fun force Of his position when he
says that "if 1t is impossible for us,
making concessions on both sides, to
agree on any such set Of reservations
as that (mIId -reservations>, then I
am in favor Of and win support Sem
ator Knox's plan to ratify the peace
settlement and leave the League of
Nations for later consideration"
1t is impossible to sec how the
treaty can he ratified with the League
of Nations covenant entirely elimin-
ated. 1t is the very life of the whole
document. 1t Is the one stabilizing
force that guarantees the carrying out
of the provisions of the treaty.
America may pass certain reserva-
lions setting forth this country's I'M
Outstanding of different provisions In
the covenant of tho League of Ma
lions, but TO eliminate the covenant
entirely Is not to listened too.
Senator underwood has merely
given the "bitter-enders'' fresh hope
and encouragement. They now feel
that all they have to do Is to sit
tight and Senator Underwood and
those who follow his leadership Will
eventually help them accomplish their
purpose. We do not believe that the
Alabama senator intends to do n
such thing. There is too much at
stake to give UP the League of Ma
tions entirely, America must have a
part in it. If she is not to be permitted
10 play her full part. then h nus
play such a part as h rsiyionary