El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-06-13


Dudiate his foreign policy. too
Count on Irish Support.
They think because Of the Irish agi
tation that the Irish Americans VII
support the Republicans and that tn
italian Americans viii likewise b
sympathetic.
The Republican leaders. it is admit
ted. even by their opponents. are play
ing the shreWdest and most adrOi
zane that has been played in many ;
year in Washington The Knox resO
luton wasn't hastily drawn 1t wa
intended to catch as many classes o
opinion as possible
First. it would corral all the out
and out opponents of "A league of
nations
Second. IT would draw those who
favor n league. but who certainly
could have no objection to further
consideration. because the Knox
resolution reeifes that the people
haven't had time enough to con-
slider 1t. The prospect is held out
of favorable judgment in the in
definite future If amended, n pros
Pect that is equivalent to the de-
feat of the league, for IL it Is not
set up at the peace table it prob
ably never viii amount to any
more than the emascuIsted Hague
convention and declaration of
London.
Third. the Knox resolution
speaks Of expressions of the weak
and transgressiOn of human lib
critics by the peace treaty itself.
thus inviting to the side of the
Republicans the many liberals and
radicals in the United States and
abroad who believe there are Vi
tai flaws in the document drawn
at Versailles.
If the Knox resolution should come
to a vote today it would come danger
vel
close anyway between the two parties
with 40 to Republicans and A Demo
Gratis. Senator Reed would vote with
the Republicans and possibly senator
Gore, of Oklahoma would do the same.
The Democrats might count on SEN
ator McCumber, of North Dakota. and
Of Oregon, two Republicans
who feel that the sentiment of their
states favors a league OF nations.
This would make the vote a tie and
the vice president would have to cast
the deciding vote, which probably
would be with the Democrats.
But such a calculation presumes a
solid vote Of the parties for and
the resolution With the excep-
ton Of the men named above.
It IS difficult, however. to predict
who would bolt on both sides Of the
political aisle
Certainly developments in Europe
and outside the senate in the United
States may change the situation, espe-
cially after the debate is under way
II Germany refuses to sign the treaty
and takes advantage Of the DELAYS in
terposed by the senate of the United
states public orinion in the United
States would cause many Republican
senator's to change their tactics lest
they be suspected Of playing into the
hands of Germany.
If the Germans sign the treaty and
president NUTS his h.
there will be no opportunity to sep
1rate the peace treaty and league of
nations as the Republicans desire. but
Mr. Wilson will bring the document
back in person and address the senate.
Republicans Taking Chance.
The Republicans have not counted
on what arguments Mr.. Wilson might
bring back from Europe or what the
effect Of his speeches NAV be on
American public opinion They are,
however, taking a chance, and all poll
ieians do, in the hope that the breaks
# the game will be their way. that
he Germans and allies will get it in
such mixup still that the senate viii
ave time to bring pressure to bear on
heir Paris conferees to change the
realty to meet objections.
So far as Mr.. Wilson is concerned.
le IS represented as having consid-
red the Republican criticism shortly
.fter his return to Europe and to
ave embodied a safeguard of the
.lOnroe doctrine and other changes
which at this time were believed to be
ought by the Republicans. Now SEN
tors Knox and Lodge have reverted
o their original position of wanting
o separate the peace treaty and cove
anet and throw the creation of the
mole league Of nations machinery into
he indefinite future. Only the people
f the United States by letters and
elegrams and by speeches and public
leetings can tell the senate to go
mead IN Its present campaign against
he peace treaty and league of nations
r TO desist, at least, till president
iison can get back to present his
.de OF the argument-(Copyr
'is, BY the New York Evening Post,
nc.)