Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-10-20

Z Saving His Face" at League Expense
Ehu Root who avors the League of Nations, has asked
people to vote for Mr. Harding because Mr. Harding who
voted for the ratification of the peace treaty with the senate
reservations declares he would do it again under the same
circumstances"
In other words Mr. Root says that Mr.. Harding does not
what he says when he declares that he has scrapped
the League and seeks mot Interpretation but rejection OF
the covenant of the League of Nations.
Mr. Root like Mr. Taft and others favoring the League
attributes to Mr. Harding sentiments that he himself repud
and asks the voters to believe that if Harding is elected
he will do just the opposite from what he he will do
At the same time time Hiram Johnson Borah and other
League opponents asking the people to vote for Harding
because Harding is unateraby opposed to any league of
nations. He has been emphatic than any of the
called rreconcabe says Johnson In speech he called
the League stupendous fraud in another "a supreme
blunder'."
Who is the public to believe and what does the republican
party stand for the league it's rejection? If people follow
Taft's and Roots advice will Harding stuty himself by
raying the treaty? Or will he carry out his pledges and
reject the League of Nations?
any case the people being deceived for the party
posing both for the League and against the League
the cheapest political tckery pacticed in presidential
campaign.
Mr. Root like Mr. Taft, says that President Wilson to
blame for rejecting the treaty This also is campaign
rejected the treaty The treaty after six months de-
bate returned without approval to the president Had the
amended it. ratified it with reservations and the
president then refused accept it, the blame could be placed
upon him.
is true that the president stated that he would refuse
approve reservations destroying the spirit of the covenant
but he given the chance Nor did he demand
the adoption of the covenant without alteration of kind
and Mr. Cox openly advocates reasonable reservations.
1t not Mr. Wilson that rejected the treaty, but the
epubican senate which feared ratification under demo-
ratio president would add to democratic prestige during the
oming election Hence the sabotage The treaty and all
reconstruction legislation by the republicans hence the
lynn of hate and propaganda of discomfort to increase
est and dissatisfaction to throw the blame upon the presi
lent and his administration
The effort to destroy the treaty began with Senator
lodges roundrobn at the time the conference met
All vital suggestions made by republicans those by Taft
Ioot and Hughes Incorporated in the covenant
nay drafted but the republican senator's determined to
ill the treaty. played politics for partisan purposes
Johnson and the btterenders helped Lodge in loading
own the resolution of ratification with mschevous
ions order to ALLEVIATE the democratic supporters of the
reaty then voted against the treaty they had amended
both reservaonsts and btterenders are appealing
he people to vote for Harding both to ratfy and to reject
he treatybu Harding is clearly aligned with the bitter
nder the only chance for the treaty is the election of Cox
"I would be unknd of me to comment on poor Taft Is
Johnson speaking of Tafts advocacy of Harding as
end of the League Taft save his face so long as he
oes not his League"
Tn making his partisan plea Mr. Root is also Saving his
lce at the expense of the League.