New-York tribune., 1920-10-29

more indcfensible the covenant with it's
Article \ has appeared to be. Perceiv-
ing this. the Democratic candidate is ap-
parcnty in state of panic. He seems
to be trying to disown Mr.. Wilson and
TO repudiate his platform. Before the
end of the week he may be trying to run
upon the Republican platform All this
Is OF no avail except to exhibit lack of
conviction
Every one knew. and Mr.. Cox knew,
when the Democratic platform indorsed
the Presidents stand, after the long
controversy in which the President had
again and again unequivocally stated
his position. that the Democratic party
was determined to res,st any attack
upon the heart and life of the cove
nant. 1t was this position that made
necessary the great and solemn rcfercn-
dunn. Mr. Cox in his speech of accept
ancc, after stating the interpretations
of the covenant which he was willing to
accept interpretations at once super
huous and inadequate added, Our
platform clearly lays no bar against
any additions that will be helpful, but
1t speaks in firm resolution to stand
against anything that disturbs the vital
principleN
Played for Irish Vote
And from that day until day or
two ago Mr.. Cox has been extollne
Article and defying the opponents
OF Article X. He even went so far the
other day. in his desire to capture the
Irish vote, as to say that Article X
might eventually be found of help to
Ireland. He has praised Article X as
the embodiment of d commandment from
Mount Sinai. He has been lavish IN his
dcnunciation of Senator Lodge because
senator Lodge dared to touch with his
reservations this heart and life of the
covenant. Mr.. Cox cannot now be per
mitted to repudiate this position, taken
by his party and by himself II he
abandons the platform of his party
upon this issue he should abandon his
candidacy.
THE Republican position has been
that the undertaking Of Article X is
vicious provision, antagonistic to our
fundamental principles and that it has
no place in an arrangement to promote
the peace of the world. Instead of
sacflhclng proper association of ma
uons. by the elimination of Article x
IL is our view that the true interests of
such an association would be promoted
by its elimination.
The obligation created by Article X
Is precisely the sort of obligation which
would be created by any promise made
by this nation through t5e exercise of
the treaty making power. 1t is of no
avail to call it a moral obligation. The
Presldent said it would be an abso-
lutely compelling moral obligation.
" nat higher obligation can there be
than this?
Undoubtedly we shall act in the
lutUre according to our conception of
duty at the time, and that conception
viii spring from the facts that exist
at the time and the merits Of contro-
Versy as they then appear.
some make much OF the fact that
we snail have representative upon
the council Of the league and that the
decision of the council must be unani-
nous. but if the eXigency exists. as de-
Scrlbed in Article X. could our repre-
sentative ignore that fact? Could he
ignore our duty in the light of tina;
fact?
No Previous Commitment
We are desirous to have a society
sor league of free nations; we look to
the disposition of justiciable con-
t:oversles according to the standards
Of law and justice administered by
Impartial tribuQals which decide ac-
cording to law and not expedienoy But
when 1T comes to going to war we pur-
pose to use our judgment at the time
without any previous commitment.
The Republican party has been the
party of stability and of orderly prog
ress, and at this time. fully as much
As at any other, we should have pa
liencc, deliberation and absolute integ-
rity of purpose. Especially is it i'm
portant that the ability and talent of
the country should be brought to the
aid of administration. We may look
for wel!Tordered government in accord
with the spirit OF our institutions un-
der the Presidency OF Warren G.. Har-
ding"