South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-15
CHALLENGE HAYS
To PUT PARTY ON
LEAGUE RECORD
Homer S. Cummings Asks G.
o. P. Chairman to State
Attitude of Party on
League Question.

NEW YORK. March IA chal-
lenge TO VIII II. Hays. chairman Of
the republican national committee
to place his party on record with
respect 20 the league of nations. was
issued here last night Homer S.
Cummins, chairman of the demo-
cratic national committee in an ad-
dress at a>dinner in his honor at the
national democratic club
Other speakers included Josephus
Daniels, secretary of the navy; Car
ter Glass, secretary Of the treasury.
and Gov. Alfred L. Smith of New
York.
II hoped and still hope" said Mr..
Cummings, that this great league
OF nations project will not become a
partisan question. Is there any rea-
son why Mr.. Hays should not put
his party upon record in this mat
ter, so that the league of nations
may have the support of both politi-
cal parties and OF all forward look
ing citizens generally. He will be
in good company, for he will find
himself supported by Mr.. Taft. Mr..
Wickersham, ex-Sen. Burton and
Pres't Lowell OF Harvard, and last,
but not least. Mr.. Hughes-with Mr.
Root still to be heard from It is
safer leadership than that of Sens.
Lodge, Penrose and Knox"
Attacks G.. o. II. Leaders.
Mr.. Cummings launched a vigor-
Gus attack upon the republican lead !
ers for what he termed their I'M
usual efforts during the last two or
three years 10 regain mastery of the
machinery OF government.
ITO this purpose" ne asserted,
they have brought all their ingenu-
ity, have summoned all their re-
sourcefulness, have magnified be-
yond all reason minor errors of
judgment in the conduct of the great
war, have mobilized the forces of
discomfort and have made tacit con-
cessions TO certain elements, which,
to say the least, show tendencies to-
ward open sedition. 1t is an unholy
alliance and cannot prevail.
When congress adjourned on
March a an open filibuster against
pending legislation was still in pro-
gress. The senate Sbdicated it's
functions. declined to consider the
most pressing Of national needs and
wasted precious moments in violent
political abuse and vehement oppo-
sion to the league of nations So
intent have the republican leaders
been upon their purpose that they
have been betrayed into all sorts Of
indiscretions. Their moderate tri-
umph of November, 1913, has gone
20 their heads. The mere prospect
Of control has already thrown them
into confusion.
Cries of the Opposition.
Ever since the war began in
Europe, in 1914, our ears have been
vexed by the wild cries of the oppo-
sition, prOclaiming a superior brand
OF patriotism. and now at the very
first sign OF a return to partial au-
thority. the leaders of the republican
party in the senate have placed
themselves in opposition to a league
of nations and the leaders in the
house Of representatives have Sc
lected for floor leader, Congressman
MOndell Of Wyoming, who voted
against the tabling Of the McLemore
resolution and opposed the selective
draft law. Sen. Penrose is to be
chairman Of the great senate COM
mittee on finance. and the reaction
aries are debating the policy OF the
party"
Mr.. Cummings then recounted the
war records OF republicans who have
been selected for various chairman
ships in the house of representatives
in the next congress.
1T is a pitiful conclusion" he as
serted, Ito a campaign based upon
such ardent promises. It is an ex-
traordinary thing that those who
are loudest for war seem 10 be most
determined that America shall re-
linquish the duties which have fall
en- 10 her lot as a result OF the war.
The idea of a leagae OF nations
is not difficult to understand. The
plain people understand it. Only
learned senator's were confused
about it. Let us not be disturbed by
the action OF the dissenting senators.
They are engaged in the most un-
generous task in history and their
objections are written in sand"