Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-06
RED WAR BRINGS
LEAGUE ISSUE TO
FORE IN CAPITAL
Both Parties Claim situa-
lion Proves Need Of
Their Principle.

Developments in Europe, and the pos
sibility of an international confiagAstion
there, are likely to keep the league of
nations issue before this country as a
dominant issue Of the political cam
paign, in the opinion of politicians in
Washington today.
Now that Senator Harding. the re-
publican leader, has made it plain that
he believes the United States should
keep clear Of the league as constituted
ana Gov. Cox, the democratic nominee
Is bent upon entering the league, the
issue is becoming more specific.
Ine supporters of Senator Harding
urge that, had the United States become
member of the league, it would have
been involved in the conflicts now rag
ing IN Europe, and that American men
ana American wealth would be pouring
across the ocean again. The supporters
OF GOV. Cox argue that if the United
States had gone into the league months
ago the moral effect would have been
|-Sumcient to have prevented all the
strifes which have arisen, and that the
world would be at peace today.
Administration Worried.
But it is probable that the voters
Will give more attention to existing
in the future than to what might
or might not have happened in the
past. The argument being put for
ward by the republicans, that joining
the league means involving the United
states IN more European wars, is
Ikely 10 De effective in some quarters
II was only four years ago that Wood
row wilson was returned to the White
house on the plea that ''he kent us
out of war"
reports have gone out of Washing
ton IN the last day or two that the
the situation in Poland 1t has been
suggested in some quarters that it is
imperative thar steps be taken to
check the menace of bolshevism be-
fore 1t has overrun Poland
The possibility of call by the
President bringing Congress into ex.
, ira session to take action also has
been suggested. 1t would be neces-
Sary TO nave Congress act, it is held,
peiore TINS country could go to the
aid of Poland with men and more
money and supplies Undoubtedly any
military opera tions by the United
States against Russia in the interests
OF Poland could only be construed as
an act of war. Congress alone is au-
thoriZed to declare war under the
Constitution, though steps may be
taken, and nave been taken in the
| the United States.
|
The few members of Congress in
| Washington today, however. express
ed considerable doubt as to adyisability
or calling Congress into session at
this time. They were doubtful as to
whether that body. if summoned.
would authorize steps in aid of Poland
| leading to war with Russia. Both
branches of Congress are controlled
by the republicans. and the -repub-
lican campaign today is being con-
Quoted along the line of keeping this
country out of further entangling al
, liances. 1t would be necessary, it was
said. to show Congress that America 8
| interests and honor are vitally affect
| ed before consent could be obtained
which would bring about a military
expedition from this country to Po-
| land, or the sending of supplies and
money to aid that nation.
On the other hand, it is contended
| that the United States did have 4
| hand. along with the allied nations,
| in setting up the Polish government
| and establishing it's Boundaries, and
| that the United States therefore is
morally bound to come to the as
sistance of Poland along with the al
| lies. In other words, the same force
: that would have bound the United
! States had 1t been member of the
! league of nations today is actually
| operating without the United: States
| having become member of the
| league. Such an argument. however
, is not apt to have much weight with
men who have stood strongly in op-
| position--to the United StatsA joining
| the league created underS the Ver-
| sailles treaty and who have opposed
| this country's entering INTO entan-
Cling alliances with foreign nations.