The Carlisle independent., 1920-10-28
IS THIS AMERICANISM?


 Dr. Stephen S. Wise, who was in Europe during the peace discussions, confirms the stories of George Greet and others that the conspiracy against the league of nations and peace treaty was entered into even before the terms of the covenant of treaty had been under serious discussion. Of course, the object was to destroy the power and influence of President Will son rather than to kill league for peace which has been so ardently ad- vocated for years by Lodge and the other leaders of the Republican party. No sensible man has quite understood how Lodge, ct al., who for years had been preaching an international peace organization that would have abso- lutely pledged this country to the use of armed force in international af- fairs, could now be so bitter against a world league that would make use chiefly of our moral power and that can merely advise as to a course to prevent wars. To all such persons there ought to be a meaning in the fact that Lodge, ct al, opposed what they call the Wilson league even be- fore they knew what 1t would pro- vide
 But there is a deeper and more vii tai question than. party politics in volved in the conspiracy. Woodrow Wilson went to Europe as the presI- dent of all the American people and he should have had the united support of the American nation. at least until his work was done. He sought the "advice and consent of the leaders of both great parties and his position as the constitutional treaty making power of the nation was absolutely impregnable. But where was the constitutionalism of even the Ameri- canism of those who feared that should he complete world peace or ganization his position in American politics would also be impregnable
 Dr. Wise tells us that as soon as the president arrived in Paris articles began to apear in some of the Paris ian newspapers under the name of "Judson C. Welliver" attacking the president and stating that, he did not represent the American people. We know that Clemenceau and Lloyd George did not take kindly to the league of nations and that they were strengthened in their positions by the stories that Wilson was out of tune with American sentiment. Day after day Welliver wrote that the president was neglible and that the only power the foreign treaty makers should con- slider was the Republican United States Senate These attacks became so bitter that Clemenceau, as a mat ter of courtesy to his distinguished guest, had to call halt upon them That they did incalculable harm to the American position abroad can not be questioned, but they did not pre- vent the formation of the league. America still had honor abroad and the final blow to her international prestige was reserved for home stroke by these senatorial conspira- tors They struck it when they reject ed the work of the American peace representatives.
 We now come to the point where this same Judson Welliver, as re- ward for making his country ac cursed and hated where she had been adored and beloved, is made the chief publicity agent and right hand man of the Republican candidate for pres ident. In all fairness we ask: Is this Americanism, and is the man who would secure political profit at the expense of Americas honor and in fuence worthy to be her president? Commercial Appeal.