The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1920-10-29
COT OUT A CROWD.
Conner and Moore Spoke Here
Monday Night.

e,
rennblican state speakers, addressed a
crowd Of nearly 200 persons at Frater
nal hall Monday night. Miles F. Eg
hers presided and made Introductory
t4marks concerning qualifications and
eynerience uf county candidates, a
number uf whom were present In the
audience. Features of the program,
arranged for by AIR. EVberS, included
the uuveiling OF a large picture of
S.nator Harding during the singing
of special campaign song with n.
II. Taylor as leader.
Captain Conner spoke chiefly on the
league OF nations issue and asSaled
the record OF the war department. He
said be came home from service in
France favoring a league TO prevent
wars, but he proceeded to make a
careful study uf the treaty of
Versailles and the covenant of the
league of nations, "a copy Of which he
held 10 his hand, and he came
gradually to the conclusion that this
hague is for war instead OF peace. He
said 1t was absolutely clear that join
ing the league would embroil the
Unlted States In European ryalries
and Quarrels against which Washing
ton gave warning and 10 which the
American people would have no
interests II the United States was
member Of the league now, he said,
we would be called upon to furnish
men and money to settle disputes in
Europe and Asia. He said this view
is substantiated by the speeches of
President Wilson as we'll as bY
Premier Lloyd. George, and by state
ments put ont by the council of the
league of nations. He read the
speech OF Lloyd George to the effect
that on account of America remaining
out the league was without force and
means to carry out mandates in
Armenia, Poland, Persia and other
troubled sections of Europe or Asa,
the other powers not being able to
spare the men and money needed.
He asked II the fathers and mothers
VI America want league that would
be calling their sons to fight 10 far off
foreign wars at the behest of 81 other
nations. II not, he said they should
voc for Harding for president.
Captain Conner voiced resentment
at the claim made by some democratic
leaders that America is in honor
oound to accept the treaty of
versailles and subscribe to the league
OF nations covenant. He pointed out
mat the American people had no
voice 10 drawing up the documents
aud he declared they did not have to
accept them. The other matter that
aroused his ire, be said, was the
extraVagance of the war department.
lie said he had summed up the figures
ana found that four billions of dollars
OF Liberty bond money was expended
10y The department for airplanes,
INKS, artillery aud shells, yet only 81
peces OF American artillery aud 90
american battle planes reached the
'front.' before the armistlce. He said
us men in the Argonne had no
fpiane protection against German
p'aneS which swooped down aud
naraSSed them daily with machine
eun IRE. In 1917 the department
promised 20, battle planes by the
sprina OF 1918, but not one bad
arrived at the front 10 November of
'ndt year. He read from General
ershing's f1nal report which stated
mat the American army in France
vas dependent upon the allies for
u'rpianes, tanks and artillery. Curious
: J Know the reason for this, Captain
conner said he took note OF proceed
lSs upon his return home and while
In the judge advocate
eneral's Office in Washington. d. c..
uo found that three Investigations
sh0Wed that instead of huildinu