Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-11

WITH THELEAGUE
Declares Attitude of Re-
pubIicans Is a StraddIe.
AssaiIs Coolidge.
BY the Associa ted Press
KITTERY, Me. September 1.-THE
republican attitude toward the league
of nations was described as a straddle
and the party was accused of palter-
ing with the greatest moral issue that
ever confronted mankind. in an ad-
dress by Secretary of the Navy Dan
iels at political rally here today
Secretary Daniels referred to the
speech of Gov. Coolidge at Portland
as a dextrous attempt to extricate his
party from its selfish and parochial
position" and said the burden of the
governors address was that America
must mix with men and prosper and
not isolate itself from the world.
The first half of his speech" said
Mr.. Daniels. was to declare for
American participation in world at
fairs. and was essentially sound. But
by reason of the straddle policy of his
party Gov Coolidge had to repudi-
ate his splendid recital of American
duty to the world, as well as to it
potent conclusion by approving Hard
ing's toothless Hague tribunal and
lauding such reservations to the
league as were put there to befog
the issue and enable republican SEN
ators to scuttle without assuming re-
sponsibility for going back upon the
noble issues for which American lads
fought and died.
Voices National Resolve.
Let nobody be too hard on Gov.
Coolidge. He has a bad case. but in so
far as he expressed the views we all
entertained when we entered the war
he voiced our national resolve that this
world should never again be cursed
by war. In so far as he left that solid
path of duty it is clear he was i'm
PEELED thereto to save regulating the
titude of the head Of the ticket.
What is the republican attitude on
the league of nations? Does anybody
know? Does Harding know? Does
Coolidge know? If so, are not the
voters entitled to be told instead of
Maine. on the Atlantic coast, Gov.
Coolidge advocates American partici-
patton in world affairs.
In California Hiram johnson and
6orah declare we must have no alli-
ance or participation in any enter
and the bitter-enders will have no
part OF the league, no matter how
many multiplying reservations Mr..
Lodge attaches to it. East is east
Ind west Is west
Atlantic Seaboard Plea,
"Mr. Taft and Mr.. Hughes and Mr..
Coolidge declare we must go in or
stay In with our allies to insure world
oeace. each proposing some sort of
method which may or may not be
workable: But they stand against the
oitter-enders. This is the Atlantic
;eaboard plea for peace lovers to vote
or Harding and an Interrogation. On
he other hand, Johnson and Borah
lenounce any cooperation as sub
'ersiye OF American policy and rights.
md declare they will tight any at
nents to the bitter end.
Is this conflict OF opinion irrecon-
liable? Will the republicans split
n such divergent views?, Are their
onvictions stronger than their hatred
no envy OF Wilson? Win either side
or their position? Not on your life.
Where will they ind a place
or common and united opposition
Vnere they can an declare by their
,ctions not out of harmony with
heir dignity:
traddle for the Lord
Fortunately for them, unfortunate
y for our country, there is a common
livisor at Marion. living almost equi-
Instant from Johnston and bitter
'nders at the Golden Gate and Cool
dge and his opposition to isolation at
nantucket light. Harding furnishes
he common ground. He speaks often.
His speeches recall the statement of
the English writer. who,
Ipeaking of a certain eminent British
said: He talks much on
Every subject, but nobody has ever
'een found who remembers anything
he has ever said
But the demand for clear and
statement by the presi-
lential candidate became SO persist
mt that Col. George Harvey and
'ther eminent statesmen hurried to
Marion for a conference. And later
Harding became vocal with
.lear-cut policy. He did not repudi-
tie his vote for the league with the
Lodge notification policy. That would
,ffend some. He. therefore. made a
lear. straightforward. convincing and
declaration that he stood
or The Hague tribunal. The noun
ain was in labor and brought forth
| mouse
He made this declaration for an
inane and helpless defunct institution
with a straight face, looking aside at
the same time with a sly wink at
Hiram in San Francisco and Calvin
In Boston. But Gamaliel could not
even convince himself that this be-
lated approval of the late cars crea-
ton, which not even. many sincere
men could galvanize into a semblance
Of life, would go down even with the
most gullible. He therefore added,
with solemn emphasis, that to The
Hague tribunal he would. by turning
dentist, add the necessary teeth. But,
pray tell us. who will furnish the
But the impossible has been ac-
the satisfaction of
politicians. The people are asked to
accept a pig in a poke. Will they do
it? Not unless they are tired of
straight thinking and straight acting
and wish to invest in a prize box, not
knowing whether they will get
plated collar button or the tabled
twenty-dollar gold piece said to be
placed in one of the prize boxes"
CAMERON AHEAD FOR SENATE