Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-09-25
GOVERNOR COX AND OUR QUESTIONS.

Governor Cox did us the courtesy of dealing with
the questions we addressed to him. We will not say
he answered them for he did that only partially
We did not seek any particular answer to these
questions They were bona fide questions asked in
good faith in order to actually learn as nearly as
possible his exact attitude upon the league of ma
tons and to know his spirit of fidelity to the con-
stitution
He probably made the clearest and most exact
statement he has yet made upon the league of ma
lions. He announces his attitude as not unbendlns.
He will give and take. The Hitchcock reservations
meet his approval and others will be accepted IL
necessary to Americas safety in entering the league
with this position the Journal finds little fault.
But upon the question of undertaking to submit
1t as Solemn referendum" the governor was com
PEELED to wobble from the Wsonian position Mr.
Wilson was uncompromising unbending and arbi-
trary He forced the league as an issue by that
dictatoral and unbending attitude. He refused to
concede that a treaty must suit two-thirds of the
senate as well the president under our constitu-
tional form of government He took the attitude
that our senators executive rubber stamps,
to use in putting approval upon his work.
The constitutional provision governing the ap-
prevail of treaties by the senate was not placed there
lightly by the fathers who made the constitution
They felt that danger lurked in one man being put
in position to place in danger of foreign en'an-
elements In fact so keen their apprehension
upon this point, that they had definite judgment
that the wisdom of a proposed course must be so
well crysallized that twothrds of our senators con-
Cured in that judgment before we could be COM
mitted to any foreign contracts.
Therein, President Wilson in error. He
should have so guided our course that he could have
had the concurrence of the necessary two-thirds in
his proposal.
A majority of the senate say that the course pro-
posed even with the Hitchcock reservations en-
dangers our national safety. Who among laymen
feels himself capable, with such a divided house of
counselors to say that we ought to go ahead with
the proposed league?
1t was against this very danger that some strong
and determined personality might gain a dangerous
popularity and lead into critical situation, thai
our forefathers sought to protect us. ..
BY his referendum President Wilson seeks tc
oevrpower the Judgment of the senate by creating
popular outcry. The constitution contemplates ne
such situation. On the contrary, 1t very distinctly
disapproves it by providing means for such
referendum President Wilson seeks, by indirec
means to change the constitution.
The Journal is for league of nations when
president and two-thrds of the senate can deVls
something which they regard safe But we fee
we must follow their judgment not override 1t
Danger turks here.
Governor Cox adroty evaded facing this diffi
Guilty in answering questions on Thursday nght
We can easily "act in haste and repent at leisure
in this matter. Let seek safety by sticking u
the constitution.