The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-03-01
PAYING
PENALTY Of PAST
SOLON ALOOFNESS
Continued from First raee.l

NNOllliluHu tIVHt It's uFNP
or in any particular problem Of inter
course. Freedom OF action Is the key
note Of every delegation at the peace
conference, that Is, freedom Of action
for the peoples OF every country to de-
eide upon the merits Of every question
raised and register their Judgment
freedom of action to resist any In
vasion or aggression, but not freedom
Of action to ask another nation to
plunge each continent into war
when Mr.. Wilson says the Ameri-
con constitution Is not infringed
upon he simply mea that no matter
what may be the controversy IN the
future, the executive department OF
our government will merely be in po-
sition to recommend n declaration
! OF war or a policy of aloofness
Of the controversy altogether. In
the sense that congress must patriot
ically achieve the recommendation OF
the executive in such a case as n
moral obligation, the situation Is no
different than It has been heretofore
when the president determined to en-
bark upon a particular line OF foreign
policy. II the country supported htfn,
congress upheld him. Both houses have
in the past rejected treaties and even
~disapproved the use OF force when pop
uiar opinion seemed to be so disposed,
Senator Lodge was ready with his
speech Of criticism today. His view
point is an interesting one. Perhaps
more than any other man in the senate
he has followed the foreign policy OF
the United States through many ed-
m~inistrations. He is well on in years
land possesses his own viewpoint en-
phatically, but there has been a steady
pressure brought to bear by Repub-
licans to bring about a reconciliation
OF his attitude and that Of former Pres
ident Taft. Some of the big business
men, for instance, see many adNah-
tages in a league of nations-oppor'
t~unities for a greater commercial Ge'
yelopment. They are urging their he
publican friends not to spoil a goou
idea merely by their party ahtlpathS
TO anything Wilsonian.
After all, they declare, America mus'
live In the world after MIR. Wilson de-
parts from the presidency and the cove
nant of the league is a minimum rather
tban a maximum amount Of partlcipa-
ton in world politics, as compared with
the real wishes Of European countries
so far as the United States is consider
ed. Mr.. wilson's invitation to former
President Taft to sit on the same pat
form with him at the Metropolitan
opera house, New York, next week and
appeal for support of the league OF ma
tons. Is tangible evidence of the presi-
dents recognition that he must have
the united backing OF the country's poll
cal leaders before the league OF nations
can be said to have the Endorsement OF
the American people.
Some Good Seen.
Mr.. Wilson's friends are somewhat
fearful about the Republican opposition
lust now, but 1t Ia an Ill wind That blows
no good. 1t Is much better that the
Renuhlicans and anyone else who has
fault to find with the league OF nations
mir objections so that changes can be
made rather than to ask America TO
swallow II without discussion and find
when the peace treaty is signed that
the United States Is in a position where
she can endanger the peace Of Europe
nv multiplying the treaty, Signed by the
paris a conference there will be in
tolerance toward amendment when once
the treaty is signed by the plenipoten-
tiaries. So the discussion In congress
can only help President Wilson, giving
An opportunity to explain doubts and
antiquities not only this week, but
when he gets back to France and de-
tails of the league are worked out. Al
ter all that will give the American peo-
nile a better idea Of just what their obll-
cations are going to be.
They had better n them now, be-
cause Europe is still wondering II
America went into the war merely to
protect herself against a possible in
~cursion from Germany or unselfishIy to
help democratic nations to continue to
enjoy human liberty. Europe wants
American participation in her affairs
because we have the practical instru-
mentalties, money, raw material and a
disinterested viewpoint.
Congress is being watched now in Eu-
rope. Did America enter the war to
help free nations merely to beat Ger
many or will she be ready to strike
down the next autocraCy that arises TO
do the same thing? 1t Is largely q ques-
ton Of faith with America now that
she has invested several thousands Of
bows in French cemeteries and saved
the lives of many thousands Of others
by vigorous prosecution or the war.
Europe will be amazed at any reJec-
ton Of the league OF nations now, and
the outsider ought not get the impress
sion that congress intends doing any
such thing.
Congress is performing its duty-it
Is examining the thing from beginning
to end and the more discussion and
analysts the better 1t will be for Mr.,
Wilson when he gets back to Europe,
because the speeches in the senate
determine just how far America should
enter into economic, political or finan-
cial combination with other countries
after the principle OF united action In
threats OF war is once settled.
Copyright. 1919, by the New York
Evening Post, Inc.)