Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-06-11
.iguin the Artful Dmigcr

nuT Of the chaos of dssension centering
- about the league Of nations plank at the
Chicago convention has come compro-
mise so adroit that the threatened rending
OF the party ranks apparently has been
avcrted. What seemed an impassc twenty
four hours ago has been overcome under
the direction of the fine Italian hand OF
Vlihu Root. and the factions can go before
the people ut leas; oUtwardly united. 1t
Is contamination that hardly eX-
pected by the party leaders themselves, and
they are correspondingly gratiiied that there
is to be no bolt. But the people will not
he fooled by the desperate lodging to
which they have been forced to resort to
escape repetition of the 1912 disaster.
The League of nations plank as finally
submitted to the convention seems to be n
victory FOR everybody, defeat for nobody,
acceptable to all. objectionable to none. 1t
is so evasive that it means nothing, and 1t
Will have its own Interpretation during the
campaign as the party leaders may believe
Tie political cXigencies require
Its communication of the Senate for re-
fusing to ratfy the treaty is Il victory for
Lodge and his following who defeated the
treaty.
It's statement that any future league must
be in accord with American ideals and the
principles OF Washington may mean any
thing. and il mag mean nothing If it means
anything il is that the league of nations
would be ditched forever and resort had TO
the old system OF alliances and balance of
power which resulted directly in the world
The plank satisfies those who want
some sort of a league, just as it satisfies
those who want none, and it gives no offcnse
To those who do not care way or the
other In brief. it is n plank on which any
enc can stand, interpreting it in accord with
his own pleasure.
Most of all, the plank is victory for
Hiram Johnson, whose demand for repudi-
alton is almost met. 1t does not meala
however that Johnson has whipped the Old
Guard and is ready to seize the nomina-
ton, II may point rather to his elimina-
ton as candidate after the first few
ballots have demonstrated his inability to
win Throughout his campaign. Johnson
has reiterated that the triumph of his fight
ngainS: the league meant more to him than
his nomination. Possibly the Old Guard
has taken him at his word 1t is not i'm
probable that in yielding to him on the
league and preventing his threat ened bolt
they have tied up his support for candi-
date, perhaps Knox, or some other accepta-
bic to the Old Guard and the Interests
If he has made his peace with the old-lno
party leaders then he can afford to wal:
four years for another chance.
The remainder OF the platform is in line
with the league plank, not so adroit, for
there was not so much Mt stake, but equally
cvasive and meaningless. On prohibition it
is silent on labor the high cost OF living
taxation, soldier bonus, farmers national
economy, international trade and tariff the
merchant marine, free speech and national
ization. on down through the long list Of
subjects which have demanded more or less
thoughtful attention from the public it has
again proved itself the artful dodgcr OF pol
tiles. On three things only il seems TO
know definitely where it stands They are:
its bitter cnmity to the President and the
democracy for which he stands; Mexico
with which it apparently wants war and on
woman suffrage, which is practically accom-
plished.
And this is the platform which the
Republican party expects to ride into power
in November,