Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-11-21
STILL At WAR.

Versailles. ratified by three Of the
great powers forming the Allies. has
surprised no one. The storm clouds
gathering about the nations capital
ecrecasted something as disastrous.
Ardent ratificationists. as determined
Observation-Disclosures. strong and mild
rcservationists. were hopelessly at
cuts, confusion reigned where there
should have been calm and serious
thought and congress adjourned sine
die leaving the United States still at
war with Germany-at war with
country year after the armistice was
signed.
For weeks and months the senate
kap gradually been drifting toward the
feefs destined to shatter the hopes OF
those who believed that the United
States should stand with her allies in
the late war and give it's approval to
the treaty that was made at Paris.
Led by President Wilson, who ne
gotiated the treaty. they have been
defeated. The action of the senate
Wednesday proves conclusively that
tie president has lost his hold on that
body for it has positively asserted its
independence. 1t was victory for
the anti ratificationists led by United
Ax,. pf doh n
Early in the fight for ratification, the
aenior senator from this state boldly
stood out against the adoption of any
document that would change or jeop-
ardise the policy of the United States
and entangle this country in foreign
alliances; against ceding to Japan a
tf,clSly populated and rich section of
China in Shantung; threatened to alb
rogate the Monroe doctrine and that
provided that American troops should
become police dogs" of Europe. To
his side was rallied sufficient force in
the United States senate to defeat the
sact.
The action of the senate will have
nc direct Influence in changing the fl
nal settlement that was made by the
Allies with Germany and Germany car
secure no consolation from it. So far
ss the terms of that settlement are
concerned. the United States approves
them. 1t was rather the side issues
paramount among which was the one
involving the national policy Of the
United States in the treatment of for
the treaty.
When President Wilson presented
tic treaty to the senate for ratifica-
ton, the Republican majority in
sisted that the document be handled
by the foreign relations com
r,ittee that reservations might be at
tached to the document. To block this
President Wilson took the issue etc
he people" and made his celebrated
transcontinental tour which resulted in
physical breakdown. The senate later
very wisely defeated number of these
reservations. a majority of that body
stood with the foreign relations com
Inittee's reported reservations, most OF
which were adopted. Senator Lodge
then introduced a res button to ratlfy
tire treaty and league covenant with
the attached reservations. The reso-
luton was defeated by a vote of Al
TO 81, a two-thirds vote to carry being
necessary. An attempt to bring
about ratification without reserva-
lions was defeated by a vote OF
as to IS. Senator Lodge promptly
thereafter introduced resolution to
declare war at an end, but the spe-
cial session adjourned without taking
action on it.
So sensational chapter was added
to the history of the United States
Pressing domestic problems such as
the return of the railroads to theil
owners, reorganization of the army or
peace basis. repeal of war tims
taxes. soldier settlement act, merchant
!. marine. control of food profiteers, etc.
went by the board. Due disposition
Vas made of them. The country re-
mains unsettled with awaiting prices
labor troubles and unrest.
Irrespective of the decisive opinions
that were held by the leaders in the
Treaty fight, and we refer to both sides
It would unquestionably have been far
better for the country as whole, had
Tie treaty been ratified. It could moi
have bsen ratified. however. without
reservations. President Wilson'S
stubborn stand on modification and his
instructions to Democratic senators
made ratification with reservation.
impossible. A half . loaf was better