Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-08-20
BOrah Attacks
League of Nations
SAYS 1T is NOT AMERICAN BUT
A EUROPEAN LEAGUE
FOR EUROPE

Senator w. f. Borah fired the
opening gun in the national cam
palgn at Orofino last Friday even
ing, when he spoke for two hours on
the greatest phase of the impending
presidential election, the subject OF
his address being the league of ma
tions. The Rex theatre was we'll
filled for hot summer evening.
County Attorney F. Elliot Smith
presided and introduced the speaker
In a happy reference to his great
national fame as a statesman.
Senator Borah was in good spirits
and spoke with deliberation and vet
with enthusiasm. None who heard
him on this occasion will ever doubt
the senator's great ability as
statesman and an orator. He has
mastered every detail of the subject
under discussion. In contrast with
some of the speakers on the opposite
side of the question, Senator Borah
gives the listener the impression that
he is both scholar and gentle
man. There is no resort to abusive
language. His thoughts are confined
strictly to the logic of the subject
under discussion. Every statement
made centers around known facts
which no reasonable person would
attempt to challenge, as the reader
will observe by reading the essence
of the address, which is subjoined,
The address elected vigorous ap-
plause at frequent intervals, indicat-
ing that the audience was In full
accord with him.
Mr.. Borah introduced his subject
by asking: What shall be the rela-
tion of this nation to other nations?
Shall we hold to a policy that has
been held for 125 years, or shall we
Shall we have open diplomacy or Sc
have a league of nations or not ?.
Shll we have open diplomacy or Sc
cret diplomacy We have been
taught that foreign affairs should
not be discussed in the open. This
policy has been practiced in foreign
countries and also, in part, in the
United States. Believing that gov
ernmental questions should be dis
cussed in the open and not kept Sc
cret l take the liberty to discuss the
league of nations before you tonight.
"The previous policy of this gov
ernment was that we should be in
dependent of European and other
nations. Washington first advocat-
ed this principle. He declared that
we would never succeed in establish
ing lree and independent republic
unless we remained free from en-
tangling alliances. Washington was
urged, during the NapoleOnic wars,
to form an alliance with European
nations. The argument used was
that France had helped us to gain
our freedom. and that therefore we
should form an alliance with her.
They further argued that the col
onies were too small to stand alone.
But Washington refused to enter In
to any alliance with any other ma
tion. Had he done so, we would
have established government
based on military form. and not a
democracy And Washington ad-
vised the American people to al
ways remain thus free"
Here the senator read from Wash
ington's farewell address to prove
his statements in regard to the at
titude of the great Father of Our
Country
Continuing his address. the senat-
cr said THE arguments used
against that address are that 1t was
great document in its day. but 1t
is not so now. But Washington
spoke for all time. He foresaw the
future development of our country.
The statement has eeen made that
we had no commerce IN his day, but
Washington expected our commerce
to grow While extending our COM
merce, 1t is not necessary to engage
| in political alliances. 1t is not
against commercial relations that We
speak. but against political relations
What is the difference between
the Europe of today and the Europe
of Napoleon's day? They are today
| having 81 wars. What for? Are
| they fighting for democracy? No,
they are fighting over dynasties or
territorial connections. The nations
OF Europe are imperialistic in their