South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-05-29

lives OF Thousands OF others and brought upon
thousands OK American families unhappi-
ness that never end for purposes which We
do 10 state take further steps 70
attain?
I'VE entered the war reluctantly. Our
people were profoundly disinclined TO take part
in European and at last did so. only be-
cause they became convinced that IL could not
I'm truth be regarded only European war,
but must be regarded Is a in which civil
ization itself. involved and human rights
OF every kind against belligerent govern
nent Moreover, when we entered the war
forth very definitely the purposes for which
entered partly because We did not wish to
be considered merely taking part In Eu-
ropean contest. This joint resolution which
return does not seek TO accomplish any OF these
objects. but in effect makes complete sur
render Of the rights Of the United States so
far the German government Is concerned
A treaty OF peace signed at Versailles on
the 2sth OF June last which did seek to &C
complish the objects which had declared
10 be in minds. because all the great gov
ernments and peoples which united against
Germany had adopted declaration OF puT-
lose as their own and had IN solemn form en-
bodied them in communications 10 the Ger
man government preliminary to the armstice
OF Nov IL 1918 But the treaty as signed at
Versailles has been rejected by the senate Of
the United States though II has been ratified by
Germany. BY that rejection and by it's method
have IN effect declared that we wish TO
OF our own. unnampered by any connections of
interests or purpose with other governments
and peoples.
Notwithstanding the fact that upon our en-
trance into the war professed TO be seek
ing to assist I'm the maintenance of common
interests. nothing is said in this resolution
about the freedom Of navigation upon the seas,
or the reduction OF ornaments. the vindca-
ton OF the rights OF Belgium, the rectihca-
ton of wrongs done to France. the release
OF the Christian populations Of the Ottoman
empire from the ntoierable subugation which
they have had for so many generations to n
dure, or the establishment of independent
Polish state, the continued maintenance Of
any kind Of understanding among the great
powers OF the world which would be calculated
to prevent in the future such outrages as Ger
many attempted and in part contaminated.
I'VE have now in effect declared that do
to take any further risks or TO
sumo any further responsibilities with regard
to the freedom of nations or the sacredness of
international obligation the safety of indie
pendent peoples. such peace with Germany
peace in which of the essential interests
which had at heart when entered the
safe guarded-is, ought to be- in
conceivable is inconsistent with the dignity of
the United States with the rights and liberties
her citizens, and with the very fundamental
conditions of civilization"
That is a pretty serious Indictment flung into tn
faces OF the Lenines and Trotzkys Of the congress
Nothing in this veto about the attempt of congress
10 usurp the functions of the executive: nothin
about the unconstitutonaity Of the resolution Jus
shame on the men Of congress. barbarous. un
and unprincped to conceive OF
of such order. There Thing
that ought TO be too low for American to under
take even political maneuver. Failure TO ratif
the Versailles treaty has been bad enough. This eff
fort to negotiate peace. through complete sur
render. by congressional resolution. to the yer
heart of cowardice and treason to civilization Itself
Lenine and Trotzky did at Brest-L:tovs
than has been attempted in Washington. Indeed
they did better. They least sufficiently con
siderate of Russia to negotiate kind OF
peace. They did not surrender without getting some
thing in return Their treason alone to thei
former allies and to civilization. but they stulte
themselves in that rather than in neglect OF tn
ideals OF their people,-while the only Ameri
cans that seem to have been considered by tn
in congress. seems to have been German
Americans, who keep the emphasis on the German