South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-09-15
Rdtifv Without Amendment
Or Delay = Peace League

Special u TIE News Times
NEW YORK. Sept 1.-two hun
dred and fifty leading Americans.
republicans and democrats repre-
senting forty different states and
every prominent activity. have join
Cd IN a nonpartisan effort % bring
about the ratification OF the peace
treaty without amendment and
without delay" Their names are
attached 10 an address 10 the Uni
ted state senate. which was made
public today through the league 20
enforce peace. after IL had oeen sent
10 every member OF the senate.
The signers. almost without ex-
ception. are men and women OF ma
tionaI reputation. They include
such prominent citizens as Ex-
Presiden- Taft. George w Wicker
sham. attorney general In the last
republican administration. A Law
renee Lowell. president OF Harvard;
Charles G. Moore Of San Francisco.
president Of the Panama exposition;
Judge George Gray OF Wilmington,
Del, Pres't Samuel Gompers Of the
American Federation Of Labor. Har-
~ A Wheeler OF Chicago. retiring
president OF the Chamber OF Com
7nerce OF the United States. Mrs
Carrie Chapman Gait, president Of
the National American Woman Suf-
rage association; Cyrus r. X. Cur
tbs. the Philadelphia publisher.
Pres't Heber ]. Grant OF the Nor
mon church, and John Spargo. lead
er OF the socialists who supported
the wer
The signers declare that every
day OF delay in ratifylng the treaty
puts the world in Imminent peril
OF new war
Make Statement.
Their statement follows.
Tn the senate at Washington,
row that the committee on foreign
relations has reported the treaty,
the lines are sharply drawn between
the immediate ratification Of the
treaty Of peace with Germany. and
It's amendment with a resssembling
or the conference and reOpening OF
negotiations that would bring great
delay and prolonged uncertainty in
settling the great issues OF the peace.
No partisan plea can be made. Party
lines are already broken.
standing at a distance from the
conflict In the senate chamber. we
plead for Immediate ratification
without delay Our land requires it.
A state OF nervous strain. tension
and unrest exists manifesting itself
in disturbances, which in some cases
have no self evident connection with
the war. but which are In fact it's
aftermath The world is put in i'm
rainent peril OF new wars by the
lapse OF each day. Discussions be-
tween as and cur former allies are
being sown. We firmly believe and
solemnly declare that the states and
cities in which we dwell desire i'm
mediate peace
War Steadies.
The waging of war steadied and
united the American people. Peace
will bring prosperity. and prosperity
content Delay in the senate post
pouing ratification in this uncertain
period OF neither peace nor war has
resulted in indescisiOn and doubt.
bred strife and Quickened the cupi-
dity OF those who sell the daily ne
cessities OF life and the fears OF those
whose daily wage no longer fills the
daily market basket
I'VE beseech the senate to give the
land peace and certainty by a rati-
fication which will not keep US long
or in the shadows OF possible wars.
but give the whole world the light
OF peace. Reservations in the ma
ture OF Qualifications in the mean
ing OF the treaty. not inconsistent
with its terms, will not require the
reopening OF the negotiations with
Germany and with our associates in
the war. which we all and each uni
ted TO wiz
But there IL no possibility OF
doubt that amendment or the treaty
as is now proposed by the senate
committee on foreign relations
would require negotiation and a re-
opening OF ali the questions decided
at Paris Months OF delay would
follow The perils OF the present
would become the dedly dangers OF
the near future All the doubt en-
Eendered would aid the plots for vi
client revolution in this and othei
lands The issues here and else
where between capital and labor
the conspiracy OF spectator and
prohteer. would all grow. and be
come more periious.
Cannot BE.
This cannot be. The America
people cannot. after viCtoriou
war. permit its government 10 petit
tion Germany. which has ac,epte,
the treaty. for its consent 20 change
in the treaty. Yet II the Unite,
States should amend the treaty 10
its own purpose and policy Ger
many would have full right 20 AS
for concessions. Germany has agree
TO make no claim in regard 20 enc
my property seized In this countr
10 an amount OF seven hundred mil
lion dollars Our recent foe coul
ask for reopening of this issu
and or the L.usitania claims ]
could raise every question open be
fore hostilities in regard 10 sub
marine warfare and treatment @
It's nationals in this country All th