Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-09-19

Treaty obstructionists are not only keeping
in costly suspense but also are pursuing
a course that is dangerously streWn witt
possibilities of the wars renewal. They can
but know that if the pending Treaty be re-
jected be distorted with amendments
which associates in the struggle against
Prussianism will not occept, we then should
be under necessity of making a separate
peace with Germany. And what if Ger
many, emboldened by break between Ameri-
ca and the Allies, declines to come to the
terms we lay down? Shall we yield to the
rekindled buster of Berlin? Or shall we
send the navy to establish another North
Sea blockade and reviv the old recrimina-
lions and resentments which inevitably
spring from disputes over the freedom of
the seas? 1t would take cock-sure prophet
indeed to say that Germany would not
give trouble, serious TT, uble, if she found
herself dealing with divided company O.
nations. When we hear a former German
Minister of State declaring that Senator
Lodges efforts to del4y and alter the Treaty
or Peace lis hailed Tin Germany like the
morning red of a new dawn" we we'll NAV
ask whittier we are trending?
But the mischief which Senator Lodge and
his group are hazarding is of a more definite
nature than that which the disunion and con-
fusion of a separate peace with Germany
would involve. 1t is the mischief of positive
attempts to create a billigerent mood against
nations with whom we were associated in
the late war and with whom we should do our
best to continue in friendly cooperation for
the worlds common good. The -Anoxes ana
Hiram Johnsons of the Senate may think thew
are simply playing BuncOmbe politics when
they speak insultingly and infamingly
against Japan and G"eav Britain. But they
are at game which in a time like this is
very riskful, though their utterances are L.
deed quite irresponsible. They are trying
oeIeat the only proposed plan for maintain
ing peace after it is esta blished, and in this
attempt they seemingly are doing their ut
Ahost TO make enemies for the United States
How much longer, the country we'll may
insist, shall it be kept in this troubous twi-
light zone between peace and war, unable to
proceed with the tasks of readjustment at
nome and not knowing what day may bring
'Lortn III new complications abroad? How
much longer shall the return to normal pro-
auction and normal prices be delayed? How
mucn longer must economic interests suffer
ana the most vital of human interests be i'm
peflled, merely that partisanship and preiu-
dice may have their ling? All the ouibblings
and sophlstries to which they resort do NOT
niue the TACT that these Senators who are OBJ
stfuctlng the Treaty are opposed to its most
important, its most needful provisions, and
intend, II they can, to force it's virtual rniec-
tlOn Ihey talk about amendments and
reservations, but what they really wish ia q
tearing to pieces of che present pact and the
making of a separate peace with Cnrn,onv
moderate amendments and reasonable
reservations are what icy truly desire, whv
not emoody them in distinct Senate resoIn-
tion' and let the Treaty be ratified? Whv
tnese weeks and months of dilatory tactics in
ene Foreign Relations committee and in the
es sn mbjoh tseI! Why these irrelevant speech
CD "hlch are like gall to nations with whon,
we were Joined in the war and like wine to
the Old intriguers in Germany? ~
Apparently there are men in the Senate
who would sanction no sort of peace that
woodrow Wilson negotiated and who would
Sanctloh any sort of peace from the terms
and principles of which he dissented' Roa0
son cannot sway nor duty win the minds of
mat 1actlon But the country has a right to
expect that Senators who hold principle above
polltlcs and who sincerely wish peace-a inst
ana durable peace guaranteed by a League
the Treaty to speedy ratification 80