The New York herald., 1920-01-14
HIRAM JOHNSON
BRINGS BOOM
TO NEW YORK
Continues His Fight on League
of Nations with Speech
in Brooklyn.

Accepting the challenge OF President
Wilson to mako the League of Nations ar
issre Of the next campaign, United States
Senator Hiram w. Johnson, Of California
stirred the enthusiasm of an audience OF
two thousand in speech last night al
Kismet Temple. Brooklyn. The meeting
was under the direction of the Kings
County Republican Committee.
| Senator Johnson declared that there
people in the present political situation.
an attempt to substitute internationalism
for Americansm by the League of Ma
tions. ard an attempt to suppress the
rights of free press, free speech and
peaceable dssemblage as an instance OF
cialist members by the New York State AS
sembly.
Upon the iridescent dream of Ameri-
canizing Europe with League of Ma
tons" he said, II refuse to Europeanize
America: and 1 will not permit horror
bein.; sovietized to drive me to the opposite
extreme of Prussianizing America"
Senator Johnson discussed in detail Ar
tice X, which President Wilson is under
stood TO have written himself and has fire.
quently described as the heart of the
covenant" and explained that the reserva-
ton agreed upon by a majority Of the
Republican Senator'S merely stated that
the obligation to support, presumably by
armed forces. If necessary, the territorial
integrity and political independence OF
every other member of the league, should
be qualified by assertion of the constitu-
tional right of Congress to determine
when, where and by what method the
armed forces of the United States should
be used
Senator Johnson referred to President
Wilson's speech at Salt Lake City, when
he read this reservation, and in reply to
applause from the audience, declared that
it's adoption would cut the heart out OF
the covenant"
"If that means cutting the heart out Of
the document, let's cut it out" Senator
johnson shouted, declaration that was
greeted with cheers and applause.
In referring TO the danger of Sitting
free speech by reactionary methods Sena-
tor johnson said that there was no danger
of the "blatherskite agitator" and the
ultra radical" overthrowng the Ameri-
can government.
such men as these do not overthrow
democracies," he said "Tsars are de-
throned by Nihilists. Democracies are
overturned by Caesars and Napoeons.
There is more danger to free institutions
today from the Man on Horseback than
from the Man on the Soap Box"
It was Senator Johnsons first visit to
New York city since he became an avowed
candidate for the Republican nomination
for President. and he gave further ex-
x.vA ut..., 1T IT,
the Hotel Belmont just after his arrival
from Washington. Before his speech he
was entertained at dinner at the Montauk
Club. Brooklyn, by Senator William NJ.
Calder.
In his talk with newspaper men at the
Belmont Senator Johnson said that he
and President Wilson were in agreement
on at least one subject. He wants
referendum on the League OF Nations"
he said smiling. 80 do L.
"Incomprehensihie," He Says.
"Do you consider ratification of the
peace treaty within short time proba-
ble?" Senator Johnson was asked.
We'll, ii Is incomprehensible to me-
he replied. how men who have voted for
a certain set of reservations after long
study and work arc going to accept any,
thing less without stultifying themselves.
Politicians on both sides are scared to
death of the treaty becoming an issue in
the campaign. Those Of us who are not
good politicians are not afraid of it.
1T is righc that the people should pass
upon it. 1t IS their money that is to be
spent and thei:. blood to be spilled to up
hold the League of Nations and settle the
quarrels of Europe and Asia"
Senator Johnson was asked IL he intend
ed to open campaign headquarters in New
York. There is no trust behind me-" he
said. mo gentlemen with great deal Of
money 10 spend. II headquarters are
opened here they will be very modest"
Senator Johnson said that Joseph Scott.
of Los Angeles. and Eustace Cullinan.
of San Francisco. had come here with
him to promote his candidacy In the East.
They were the advance guard. he said.
of other groups of friends who would
conduct his campaign.
"It may be new method" he said.
but Is the only one available. will
have to depend upon the voluntary as
sistance of friends. am pitting my own
energy, gimp and ginger against the re-
sources of the other candidates"
Speaks in Brooklyn.
1--WE are commanded TO accept inter-
for Americanism." Senator
Johnson declared in his speech in Brook
lyn. shall the Republican party. the
party OF freedom, OF progress and of patri-
ot'sm, hesitate and turn and flee. For
one, / accept the challenge. ! am yet
American. l want TO continue citizen OF
the United States of America. l do not
care 20 be q citizen OF the world.
don't care whether Republican leaders
accept tho gage OF battle or not. l accept
the issue and so far as ] can, upon 1t
shall go to the people of the United States.
A subject which deals so intimately with
the treasure and blood of the average
American Is n subject upon which he has
tho right OF ultimate decision"
There is real danger" he said. that in
our lust anger against those who advocate
or Justify crimes OF violence we may be
led by reactionary politicians or news
papers who are wearing the livery OF
or by our own zeal. into ex-
travagance of suppression which will i'm
peril the very foundation OF the republic,
the fundamental principles of free speech
and free assemblagc, We are to-day in
pcriod Of reaction and ] rc-echo the
words recently uttered by Lloyd George,
I DO not fear revolution: fear reaction.
''Therc are those to-day who, lashing
themselves into fury against men holding
opinIons contrary TO theirs. would sup
or ess tree, legitimate expression. On the
other hand there are those who preach
sedition and would destroy all human
,.,t.to ,tva and ropfiscatc tho fruits of all |