Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-07-03
MUCH PLEDGED
BY DEMOCRATS:
LITTLE EVADED
Platform Sees in League
Only Hope of Ending
War.
JAP PLANK IS OBSCURE
BY DAVID STARR JORDAN.
Copyright, 1920, by international
News Service.


as presented by Senator Glass, chair.
man Of the resolutions committee, is
vigorous and effective document
1t is too long, perhaps. upward OF
5000 words. and pledges the party to
many things which will later be
matters of congressional elaboration.
1t is. however, very direct, neither
verbose nor evasive.
Its length is due mainly to the argu-
ments and the statements OF fact 1t con-
tains, for in some parts it is of the ma
ture of a stump speech rather than a
declaration of principles. 1t thus takes
the form OF a message to the rank and
fle Of the country indicating to them
the line Of the party's movements.
Much space is given to democratic
achievements In the last seven years
most of the claims, especially those in
volving financial skill, being well jus
titled Corresponding energy is dis
played in uncovering the shortcomings
of the repubhcans-eoncerning their OBJ
structive policy and their control by the
senatorial cabal several palpable hits
are scored.
One point well made is that the or
ganization Of the senate and the conse-
ouent control of the committee on for
eign relations was secured by the fraud
ulent election of q man now under con-
viction for his part in it.
DOCUMENT COMES OUT
sQUARELY FOR LEAGUE.
AS was foretold, the document comes
out squarely for the league of nations
as presented by Mr.. Wilson. 1t sees in
the league the only hopeful means Of
putting an end to international war or
Of terminating the intolerable burden
Of great military and naval estG blish-
ments. 1t urges the achievement OK
treaty and league with explanatory res
ervations, If necessary, but with none
affecting the validity of the covenant
itself
1t renders high praise to Mr.. Wilson
and his associates for having brought
about the league, and with 1t treaty OF
peace so nearly akin to previously ex
pressed American ideals. In regard to
the paragraph from which l quote, there
is no room for question. The treaty is
far from satisfactory. though doubtless
the best that could be secured under the
difficult conditions, and nothing has been
or could be gained by its rejection.
Furthermore the league IN Its present
form is only a beginning. Its final sig
nificance the future must determine. Its
details are Of secondary Importance.
1t can not and does not pledge this ma
ton to any line of action not taken by
its recognized authorities aud In accord
with the national constitution. II is not
question of what other nations may
force on the United States. 1t Is means
by which we can exert our own influence
in guiding and humanizing them, and
this potential influence of the great de-
mocracy gives the best hope for sick and
disorganized Europe.
LEAGUE ACCEPTANCE
THE LEADING ISSUE.
As. Mr. Wilson predicted. the accept
ance Of the league and treaty Ias be-
come tho leading issue between the two
parties for the next four months. Some
republicans have tried TO avoid this
by tie claim that they too favor
league. but not this one-that IS, one
not negotiated by Mr.. Wilson. Bur there
Is no other too be had, and 10 this
league nearly all the nations OF the
world already belong. 1t may be amend
ed. but no other can be substituted
for IT,
The economic and financial features Of
the platform are ably treated. as might
be expected, for the chairman OF the
committee has served with skill and ef-
fciency as secretary Of the treasury.
The republican majority is justly
scored for It's failure to respond to vari-
Gus public needs arising at the end oil
the war Needless delay In considcring
adequately the problems OF the railways
forced on the president the necessity
OF accepting the imperfect Esch Cum
Minis bill for the return Of railroads to
private ownership.
The suffrage plank was we'll written
and drew forth an enthusiastic demonstra-
ton Of the delegates and the audience.
1t is to the credit of the democratic
party that this great advance took place
under a democratic president, though its
accomplishment was by no means a
party matter.
LABOR SITUATION
FAIRLY HANDLED.
The difficult labor solution was fair
~ handled. Strikes and lockout sare re-
garded as matters to be avoided. A sig
nifcant declaration insists that with
respect to government service, the rights
Of the people are paramount to the
right to strike"
Numerous matters OF economic inter
est. such as reclamation, waterways, the
care Of disabled soldiers, are well and
wisely treated. The movement to "clean
up" Mexico receives dignihed encour-
agement, and 1t is asserted that under
the presidents policy of noninterference
order is being gradually established in
our unfortunate neighbor.
The pronouncement on Ireland is very
cleverly written. The aspirations for
self government have our sympathy, but
our relations must be bounded by "the
limitations of international comfy and
usage" In other words. no manifesto =
ton of our feeling should lead us into
the conflict with England.
The party now favors granting indie
pendence to the Philippines without un-
necessary delay, repetition of the plat
form of the antl-imperialists of twenty
years ago.
ORIENTAL PLANK
RATHER OBSCURE.
The plank as to oriental immigration
is rather obscure and does not furnish
the basis for any particular line Of ac-
ton. So far as the Japanese are con-
cerned, it is not clear that any exclusion
law would be more effective than the
present "gentlemen's agreement"
The paragraph an the postal service is
not very convincing, and the one on free
speech and the press still less so. Neither
the facts nor the principles involved seem
to me fairly stated.
Certain matters in which many dele
gates are vitality interested did not APP
pear in the platform an presented by the
committee. Among such is the eighteenth
amendment, now part Of the constitution,