The Mena weekly star., 1920-07-01

bufIls ~. jenkins, Kansas City
| minister.
San Francisco. June Ex-senator
Joe T. Robinson of Arkansas was
chosen as permanent chairman of the
Democratic national convention. On
assuming the chair Senator Robin
son delivered scathing denuneiation
Of the Republican party and its Chica-
go platform. In part this follows:
"Tested by every standard which
voters usually apply" he said, "the
Democratic party is entitled to vic
tory in the coming campaign. Com
parison Of the Republican records,
contrasts Of political policies and of
party leadership justifies the belief
that the Republican party will be
driven from power in both branches
of congress and that complete con-
troll of the government will be re-
stored to the Democratic party in the
November elections, because that par.
ty has earned the public confidence.
THE Republican platform adopted
at Chicago is an amazing jumble of
antiquities, inconsistencies, evasions.
misrepresentations, sstraddles' and
'slanders.' 1t is deliberately unfair in
charging upon the Democratic admin
lstration all responsibility for mili-
tary unpreparedness. Everyone knows
that the Republican party controlled
the government for long period pri-
or to the Inauguration of President
Wilson. When the Democratic party
went into power March A, 1918, both
the army and the navy were far below
the authorized number If criticism
of the pre-war national policy as tn
military preparedness Is justified, the
censure must fall upon the Republi-
can party.
"The plank in the Republican plat
form respecting taxation is manifest
ly insincere. They promised no SUBJ
stantial relief from the exacting tax
burdens necessarily imposed during
the war. There are many vexatious
taxes that should be repealed now
that the war is over The big Joker
in that amazing document is the
plank in the Republican platform con-
cerning profiteerinR:
We condemn the Democratic adj
ministration for failure impartially to
enforce the anti-profteering laws cre-
ated by the Republican party
sWho will be deceived BY this absurd
pretense? The Republican party en-
acted no anti-profiteering laws. The
amendments to the food control act
were suggested by the president and
supported by the Democrats in Con-
gress. The president recommended
four additional measures to prevent
and penalize profteering.
"Alf these measures were pigeon
holed. Nothing was proposed by the
Republicans in place ot them. Is the
Democratic administration to be de-
nounced for failure to enact meas
ures which the Republicans refused to
pass?
'sThe Chicago platform declared
that the policy of the Wilson admin
istration toward Mexico is response
bic for the loss Of lives and property
resulting to American citizens in Mex
leo. Nevertheless, the provisions of
that platform regarding Mexico are
ambiguous and indefinite. Does the
plank in the Republican platform on
Mexico mean that If the property Of
lives of American citizens in Mexico
are hereafter endangered this govern
ment will make war on Mexico and
establish a protectorate2 Why was
the convention not frank enough to
announce definite policy?
The president is condemned for
asking authority of Congress to ex-
ercise mandate for Armenia. 1t has
never been contemplated BY anyone
that the United States should assume
that responsibility without first pre-
scribing the terms and conditions Of
the mandate. 1t would not be difficult
for the United States to so safeguard
its responsibilities as to proceed with
the united support Of England, Italy,
France and Japan, as well AS every
other member of the League. The
mandate may readily be made self
sustaining. Why then should the
Presidents request be treated as au-
dacious? The Republican party
would deny encouragement or assist
ance to Armenia and would force a
protectorate on Mexico They are
deaf to the appeal of the opprest but
as always they are sensitive to the
call Of wealth. They are unwilling
to incur expense or danger to protect
millions Of God-fearing Christians
from massacre, but they are anxious
to invade land for the protection Of
property rights.
Great Republican leaders, including
Mr.. Lodge and Mr.. Roosevelt, in pub
lie addresses, prior to the war, cham
pioned the establishment Of League
of Nations. They anticipated and an
swered with irresistible logic the very
arguments they now advance against
the League.
! 'The plain fact is that the enemies
of the league dictated the policy Of
the majority in the senate and con-
trolled the platform declaration at
Chicago.
ssThe chief issue is whether the
United States shall contract with 9TH
er nations to prevent unnecessary
wars; whether the waste and sacri-
fees Of unjustifable conflicts shall be
superseded by orderly tribunals for
the settlement Of disputes among ma
| lions.
"WilI the women Of America who