The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-06-04
VIII CO. P. Fight League of
Nations; VIII Wilson
Run?
QUESTIONS ARE QUITE
CLOSELY RELATED
Republican National Chairman
Alarmed; Old Know-Nothing-
i ism Recalled. by Some.

Washington. May 3l.-As seer
from Washington. each cf the two
big political parties in the United
States has one question to settle.
The Republican party's all-import-
ant question is, Shall we make the
League of Nations a party issue?
The Democratic party's all-inl port
ant question is, VIII President Will
son be a candidate for third term
Between these two questions there
is the possibility Of a decided connec-
tion, which mas been considerably dis
cursed in political circles.
Many prophets predict that II the
Republicans make the League OF Ma
tons party issue, which can be done
only by opposing the League, Presl-
dent Wilson will see in the situation
cali or a challenge for him to so
before the country as the champion
OF the League in the campaign in
1920.
On the other hand, if the Republi-
cans do not make the League party
issue, by opposing il, they have It
in their power to diminish its politi-
cal effect as a Democratic achieve
n1ent by nominating former President
Taft, who has been as conpicuous an
advocate OF the League as President
Wilson. There are not few shrewd
political students who are Of the
opinion that President Wilson would
not run against Nfr. Taft if the latter
were nominated by the Republicans.
The trend Of Republicanism TO-
wards partisan opposition to the
league of Nations was discussed b.;
Senator Robinson of Arkansas a few
days ago in a powerful speech in
which. he dared Senator Reed of
Missouri to. go before the people Of
that State on the issue while he fRob-
sinscn) went before the people of Ar
! lsaass,s likewise the Arkansas sena-
t0rzfo resign unless his people coeed
at lest to in favor OF the league.
This ,.oare'' by the way, the Missouri
senator, whose role is usually that Of
the challenging party, did not accept.
He preferred TO admit that the people
of Arkansas would stand BY Senator
Robinson even if he should agree
toraorrow to abolish the Constitution
OF the United States in toto"
But to return TO the matter OF the
dilemma which confronts the Repub-
licans as to the League of Nations as
a party issue-Senator Robinson had
this to say on the subject:
Ell is exceedingly regrettable that
there should have been, during the
course Of this debate, a shameful dis
play Of part;sanship. During the
course Of the debate in the senate
last Friday it was pointed out tina
the leader of the majority and tn
whip Of the majority. the senate
from Massachusetts, (Mr. Lodge) an(
the senator from Kansas (Mr. CurtlS)
had, prior to the reconvcring OF con
gress in extraordinary session sent t.
every member on the other side o
the chamber telegram urging Re
publican members Of the senate Z
remain silent on the subject Of III
revised draft Of the League Of NJ
tons treaty until party conferenc'
could be held and the attitude Of n
party concerning the matter in SO Ia
as that could be ascer.ained, deter.
mined.
The senator from Massachusett
stated last Friday that was strict.
a bipartisan telegram: that While
was sent only to Republican mem
bers of the senate it was an impair
tial and nen-partisan request. Nh
president. the only way in which an.
measure has been Or can be made
party issue in the United States sen
ate is through the action OF the con
ference or caucus Of the party deslrln
to make it a party measure; and
respectfully submit that the remark
of the senator from Massachusett
that this request to Republicans wa
a non partisan act does no. ref1ec
credit upon his candor.
81 do not want to see this sabjec
made a partisan issue The senate
from Washington (Mr. Pondexter
stated last Friday that it was his de
sire that the issue shall be made par
tisan. My reason for desiring tina
it be considered in nonpartlsal
spirit is not through fear that 1t vii
result in discrediting or defeating tn
political party with which I am allied
put is due to the fact that If 1t b.
made a partisan issue it will resul
in defeating the treaty Of peace. il
postponing or defeating the League o
Nations, in compelling the Cnite'
Skates in all probability to part com
pany with her allies with whom sA'
has been so closely connected IL
the prosecution Of the war. and to g
her own way and make separat
peace with the imperial government
It is desirable to avoid that fron
every standpoint.
Contemplation of these probabi
consequences of partisan Repub!ica'
opposition TO the League, to who
opposition the Republican leaders j
congress seem so generally inclined
is enough to alarm the astute Chair
man of the Republican National Com