Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-06
Ratify or Reject

IF the irrcconciablc group Of Senators who
l have followed the uncertain and unstable
leadership OF Henry Cabot Lodge will come
out boldly and canddly as did Senator Knox,
OF Pennsylvania. with demand that the
treaty of peace be rejected, they will do them
selves great credit and the country distinct
service.
For weeks II has been the common belief
that this is exactly what these Senators want.
II has been believed that all their maneuver-
ins and shouting for amendments and rcser-
vationS and interpretations has been mere
camoulage designed TO conceal lack OF
courage on their part. They have actually
wanted 10 Kill the peace treaty as means OF
killing the league OF nations. but they have
not dared say They have not dared face
the country with the open declaration against
peace on a league basis
Until the Knox speech in the Senate there
was one and only out-and out. unqualified
and unterriied rejectionist This is Senator
Borah. OF Idaho. He has never lost AN oppor-
tunty Of proclaiming his uncompromising OPP
position 10 any treaty OF peace which POUNDS
a league OF nations. He is against any al
lance which involves the United States. He
is against the participation by this country in
any OF Europes affairs. He has been con-
sistent from the start. and his position is one
which commands respect because il is open,
aboveboard and understandable by every
thoughtful person.
But the position OF his i'm mediate associates
has not been open 1t has been of shift
ing ground. II has been one of concealed
motives. 1t has been one OF vacillaton from
pillar TO post And it has been one OF utter
hewilderment TO the great body OF the Ameri-
can people. For example. when the league OF
nations covenant originally accepted by
the peace conference more than thirty Re-
publican Senators rebelled madly against il
ana demanded that the league be divorced
from the peace treaty or the latter would be
summary rejected. This a clear enough
stand and fair enough challenge. But that
position was not adhered to. President Will
son refused to be influenced by such a
demand, and returned TO France with the
avowed purpose of drafting treaty embody-
ing league covenant. Thcreupon a hue and
cry went up from these same DIRECTORS for
amendments to the league constitution safe
guarding the Monroe Doctrine and protecting
the sovereignty OF the United States These
concessions were granted, but they did not
satisfy the opposition.
Demands were made as soon as the Presi-
dent reached home for further amendments
to the treaty; then for set Of reservations;
then for series OF interpretations and finally
the opposition has come back TO the starting
point by drafting and recommending TO the
senate mat Wholesale amendments be made
IT is no wonder that the public mind is
confused as the league controversy is studied
and as the average citizen seeks TO grasp the
real issues involved. Bu, if the irreconcilablcs
would be as frank about the deal as Senators
Knox and Borah; if they would state clearly
and uncquivocally their opposition to the
treaty as long the league OF nations re-
mains as part Of it, they would give the coun-
Try cear-cut issue. 1t would be a case OF
ratlhcaton versus rejection. a proposition
which anybody can understand