The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-08-23
AMERICA ON GUARD

of Nations is ratted by the united oGes' 10 eeis
that this government will define the nature and limit the
extent of the obligations assumed 1t will do this eec
lively so that there will be any doubt in this cou
try or abroad regarding the relationship of the United
States to the treaty the league.
The conference between the President and the Senate
committee has made clear the necessity of defining and
limiting this governments Obligations and has also re-
yeaed the fact that President Wilson and the Senate
majority are agreed upon the fundamental proposiuon
They found difficulty in expressing their conception OF
this proposition and of the method in which the United
States should make its purpose effective This was TO
be expected in view of the political considerations IN
voved the novelty of the procedure proposed and the
complexity of the subjects under discussion
The President feared that the limitations might force
reconsideration of the treaty by other governments which,
of course he could not favor while the senators favor
ing limitations feared that the anxiety regarding foreign
complications might result in failure to safeguard Amer
lean interests If the President satisfy himself that
the rights of the United States be safguarded with
out reopening the treaty negotiations he Will not oppose
the limitations now coming to be generally agreed upon
as necessary And if the Senate majority can sats1y
itself that the United States is made safe every point
and that the limitations it imposes are known and &C
copied by all the high contracting parties 1t Will vote
for the treaty with those conditions attached
The simplest and best method of procedure that mas
been suggested that outlined by Senator Knox he
the separation of the league covenant from the
other portion of the treaty. in order that the Senate may
Immediately cooperate with all the powers in restoring
peace with Germany without the delay that will be re
ouired for adjusting the United States to the league Of
nations That is practical and expeditions and helps to
clarity opinion on both the peace treaty and the league
1t is pity that Senator Knoxs proposal is not accept
able to both Sides the probability is that much greater
delay will ensue under any other plan.
" DELAY however is not the main of anxiety to
the majority of Americans who turning their atten-
ton to this crisis in the history of their country II the
United States is to make bunder it will not mat
ter if it consumes six months in making it, for it will
have centuries in which to repent IT, the other hand
this country takes six months or year OF valuable time
and saves itself from ruinous commitments, it will be
time we'll spent no matter how badly disappointed any
% body may be in the interval.
Not tme but eternal right the essence of this pro-
posed contract The world cries out for law and order
for restoration of industry and peace Very well
then the world needs the gigantic concentrated power
of the United States of America the most effective force
under the Almighty for the reestabishmen of universal
liberty and happiness safeguarded by law Cripple the
10 United States and you cripple humankind. Weaken the
of this nation and you strengthen the devils who
are dancing the body of Russia and their associates
who are plotting the recovery of Germany brute force
20 for nation murder
re What are the nations of Europe now? What one OF
them can stand against the that have been le
loose by the German onslaught? Neither the grandeur
y that Britain the glory that is France is suffcen
lie revive and sustain the world They and all their Eu
ropean neghbors combined unable to throw bacl
the savages who ripped and gored liberty to pieces 1
the United States that saved the people of Europe
lie from German slavery The United States will do thi
again. if necessary whenever force arises sufficient!
strong jeopardze humanity freedom But the United
States will not agree hereafter to accept thu
opinion or mandate of foreigners as to the time place
or nature of the blow that will be struck for the
of liberty. Americans know what liberty is how hare
it to gain and how hard to hold They know nfnite!
of the art of free government than all of Europe
They will not barter away their liberty mperi
the liberty of Europe by joining league that does
harmonic with the American Constitution, which is tn
only instrument of freedom that be relied upon b!
mankind for all time Americans will hold fast to thei
heritage They will not barter it away for gain TO
prestige They will not be wheeded into giving away
nor will they be stampeded into yielding their nation
independent power by any plea of urgency foreigl
necessity.
America must save this world America will do so b.
saving herself WASHINGTON Post