The daily Alaska citizen., 1919-12-17
REPUBLICAN IMPOTENCY

In his first platform appearance since the recent meeting of the republican na- tionaI committee, Chairman Hays of that organization hews closely to the policy outlined in Governor SprouIe's keynote speech for the national campaign of next year. It is full of promise of 'Wise Iegisla- tive reforms but contains no reference to the accomplishment of a single item ill that progressive program which he admits has been adopted by the republican party. The record of the present congress Is remark ably free from legislation of any kind It is certainly marked for its freedom from any legislation that even seeks to deal with after war problems. No attempt has been made to deal with problems arising from war conditions notwithstanding the fact that the country's social and industrial life is grayely upset by those conditions.
 In the vanguard of the questions awaiting solution and final disposition is the treaty of peace. A deadlock is block ing even further consideration of that docu- ment and despite efforts of democratic leaders in the senate to bring about a com promise. it is mbroken thru the obstinacy of certain opposition leaders who show a disposition to make political capital of an issue vital to the human race The treaty deals with the peace of the world, the stability of international relations. the at titude to be assumed toward the new ma tions that have been born in the treVail oj Il. ,.[ sistance are to be given to backward or helpless races. the means to be employed to assure progressive international disarma- mcnt, the creation of a clearing house for the conscience of the WOrId the methods to beused to prevent the depredations of war like, irresponsible or predatory natiOns the re-estabishment of international trade channels the rehabilitation of world com merce, the creation of a safe basis for in temationaI credits determination of the part which the United States is to play in the great drama of human progress, and in general the restoration and firm eS- tablishment of the political equilibrium of the world. It is clearly task of unusual proportions, It is certainly worthy of a place in a progressive legislative program of any party whether it be republican or democratic.
 But the republican senators, or the leaders of that party in the senate, have bodily asserted their purpose of withdraw ing the country from any participation in the treaty. program. Their proposal is that the country should have nothing to do with the treaty of peace and should promptly withdraw after declaring that peace exists to a consideration of her own domestic affairs. It is open advice to de- sert our allies in the work of readjustment that the war which was won with our aid has made vitally necessary. It is an ac- acknowledgement of inability to cope with conditions that threaten all existing world order and advice to withdraw behind the barriers of our own democracy and let the world sink or swim as 1t can best make out without our assistance There is neither honor nor profit in such policy. Ameri- can people do not wish to be put into the class of deserters and will repudiate any policy.
 It is upon that ground that President Wilson rests his case. He declines to of fer any compromise amendments to the treaty. He has told the senate that he will not object to any interpretative reserva- tions that it may consider advisable. The matter now rests with the majority party. re # will follow (tb Havc' cOupcoI