New-York tribune., 1919-09-07
to the
Attack by
Knox


bolder aspect with the
pronouncement by Senator Knox.
of Pennsylvania, that "the only
safe way to deal with it is to de-
cline to be a party to it at ALL"
The Senator also stated that he
could "see no reason why we should
be parties to imposing upon Ger
many a treaty whose terms, our
negotiators say, she will not be able
to meet; treaty that robs our an
cient friend, China, in a way dis
approved by our negotiators; a
treaty that lays the foundation for
centuries Of blood letting into which
we should not be drawn; treaty
that fails to fix the amount
of indemnity to be paid, leaving
that vast question to the whim Of
majority Of commission on repa-
rations."
1.-THE indianapolis News" (inde-
pendent) sees rational ground for
oriticising the league, but Mr.. Knox
in occupying it introduced matter
that will largely nullify his opposi-
tion." The paper concludes:
"But after all Senator Knox speaks
only for a group, and it is hoped that
other and wiser leadership in the Sem
ate will be able to save what is best
out of bad situation. The task at
hand is not one OF getting a softer
peace for Germany, nor is it one of at
tempting to oppose the President
merely for the sake OF opposition or to
go on a transforming tour over the
country on his trail. Now that We have
gone or been carried SO far toward q
league the object should be 10 bring
about proper and necessary protective
reservations to the treaty, and that,
after these safeguards have been pro-
vided, to complete the negotiations. II
is to these objects that the wise leader
ship OF the Senate will lend itself"
From his own state comes .
criticism of the Senator's statement.
"The Philadelphia Ledger" (Inde-
pendent) rebukes Mr.. Knox as fol-
lows:
"The activity of Mr.. Knox's mind is
| indisputable. Even among United States
Senator's his mental agility IS conspicu-
And unhestating as ever in analytic
zeal, the Senator from this state de-
pcts the virtues Of our own citizens OF
German ancestry, stalwart, freedom
loving, patriotic An occasional bomb
or so or an incidental plot was unchar-
acteristic. Everybody who heeds Mr..
Knox must recognize that.
"The numerous other points made arc
what might have been anticipated from
a statesman of his calibre. The league
of nations is roundly condemned, but
the President is urged TO convene the
nations of the world together The
treaty is not enforceable, and naturally.
therefore, its enforcement would be
basicaly inconsistent with its ma
ture.
The angles from which Mr.. Knox
views an argument are infinite. The
possessor Of brain so elastic and
alert does not need to care for dull
consistency
"The Louisville Courier-Journal
(Democratic) reveals sentimenV
much like that Of the foregoing:
Reject the whole pact says Sem
ator Knox, referring TO the arrange
ment for permanent peace. Tin can
the whole pack says the public, re-
ferring TO the Senatorial barkers at the
heels Of the President"
Observes "The New York World"
(Democratic):
Senator Knox's argument for the
rejection OF the treaty Of Versailles
and the negotiation Of a separate peace
with Germany is defective in one
highly important respect The Senator
from Pennsylvania failed to suggest
that the United States pay an in
demnity to Germany"
The Republican papers see the
Knox speech in different light.
Says THE Scranton Republican:
"He showed how the United States
has nothing to gain and everything TO
lose by committing Itself unreservedly
to this ingenious instrument, which,
stripped OF its idealistic verbiage, is
in reality an alliance among five great
powers, against whom Germany would
try to form a stronger alliance"
No one will accuse Senator Knox
of lacking in patriotism for the
position he has taken with regard
to the treaty, in the opinion Of an
other Republican organ, THE New
York Sum-" This paper observes:
"The Importance OF this view will bs
made obvious TO every candid mind by
careful study OF Senator Knox's pow.
erful and original speech Of yesterday.
The thought which he has injected
into the situation is bound to grow.