Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-06
LEAGUE
AS |RELAND'S HOPE
Former Gov. Folk Emphasizes
Cox's Pledge to Urge
Erin's Cause.

1.-THE league of nations presents the
fairest hope Of Irish independence" de-
clared former Gov. Joseph w. Folk Of
Missouri in addressing q democratic
rally at 1916 Pennsylvania avenue last
night, and he emphasized the pledge OF
Gov. Cox to urge the Irish cause upon
the league under article NJ.
He insisted that the league would
guarantee Philippine independence and
that there should be no people any
where governed without their consent:
The democratic headquarters could
contain only a fraction Of the throng
that gathered to hear Mr. Folk and other
speakers and so they addressed an over
flow meeting in the street.
G. +. Curtis, sent down by the demo-
cratic national headquarters in New
and Mrs. Rose Governor Hoes, who is
a great-granddaughter Of President
Monroe, also spoke. The rally was pre-
sided over by John F. Costello, the
democratic national committeeman for
the District.
Folks View Of League.
1.-The most important document Of all
league of nations" said Mr.. Folk. This
treaty expresses the hopes and aSplra-
tions of mankind that war shall be no
| more. 1t is the Capitalization of the
public opinion of the civilized nations OF
the world. 1t applies between nations
the principles of right and justice long
applied between individuals.
Isolation for the United States is now
impossible. The inventions that have
annihilated time and space and that have
brought different parts of the earth In
touch with each other have created new
obligations in the relations of the ma
tions.
1.-THE only definite program before
the treaty is that offered by Gov. Cox
for the ratification of the league
treaty, with such reservations, II
need be, as would carry out its spirit
while not destroying the sublime pur-
poses of it's conception.
Criticises Senator Harding.
Senator Harding admits that he
has no definite program. Senator
Johnson of California evidently thinks
that Senator Harding is in favor of
'scrapping' the league. and proves it
by Senator Harding's words. while
Judge Hughes and ex-President TAFT
assert with equal assurance that Sem
with reservations. and they likewise
prove what they say by Senator
Hardings own words. When interro-
gated at Baltimore Senator Harding
stated that he had formed no definite
opinion upon the subject. This is
that. as a member of the Senate, he
voted for the league treaty, with GER
tain reservations. at least. twice. =,
Judge Hughes, ex-President Taft
and former Secretary Of State Root
suggested certain amendments when
the league treaty was first brought
back from France by the President
early in 1919. These suggestions for
the most part were adopted, and these
| three leaders of the republican party
gave cordial approval then to the
document. Every republican member
of the Senate, with four or five ex-
ceptions voted for the ratification of
the treaty with reservations.
wants One All His own.
Senator Harding apparently adj
mits the necessity of some interna-
tional arrangement. but he seems to
intimate that he wants one all his
own. What this new plan would be
has not been revealed. It is fair to
assume. however, that. no matter what
it might be, it will be subject to the
same opposition that the present
treaty is going through. if the new
plan is to be effective at all. Instead
/ of tearing down the entire structure.
would it not be best, then. to take this
league and correct it?
'The small nations of the world
find in the league of nations their
only hope of permanent independence
league in operation the Philippines
could be given independence, which
without the league would last only
until some other nation might seize
the Philippines.
THE league presents the fairest
hope Of Irish Independence, for the
league would take away the chief
argument against the independence of
| the weaker nations unable to sustain
their independence against the at
tacks of stronger power.
Quotes Republican Nominee.
Senator Harding. in answer to the
suggestion of Gov. Cox that the Irish
question could be brought before the
league of nations, gave an interview
| to the London Morning Post a few
days, ago, in which he stated that the
Irish question was purely a British
domestic matter and not question
| the Irish question could not be
brought. before the league OF nations.
This INTERVIEW may serve to give the
senator the support of the British i'm
iperialists, but it demonstrates that he
is not in sympathy with those of Eng
| land and America who believe in the
doctrine of self-determination for all
people.
{league provides:
! "It is hereby also declared and
I agreed to be the friendly right of
each of the high contracting parties
to draw the attention Of the body of
delegates or of the executive council
| to any circumstances affecting the
international intercourse which
| threaten to disturb international