New-York tribune., 1920-01-14

49, W ne Is willing that
act Of embrcidering the treaty with
interpretations that mean nothing, and
Is willing that this only shall be done.
he ADDS that we must take the treaty
and the league without changes which
alter its meaning; and it is fair to
assume, therefore, that he insists that
the reservations which have been
adopted, and which he will not under
meaning of the proposed document. "
Senator johnson reviewed the in
1erpretation put upon the Senate res
ervation to Article X as "cutting the
neart out of the covenant" and quoted
Frank II. Simonds's article in The
tribune disclosing that the President
mad promised in an address tv the
peace conference at Paris on May 81
that "if the world should be troubled
again. if the conditions which we ali
regard as fundamental are challenged,
the guarantees which will be given to
You will pledge that the United States
Will send its army and fleet across the
ocean,"
THE reservation" Senator johnson
continued. sis a reafirmation of our
constitution, and the Presidents posi-
the American Congress shall retain
their power over the employment of
the military and naval forces of the
united States, that the heart of the
covenant is destroyed.
AmericanIsm the Issue
This is the issue presented now to
President and the Democratic party.
The issue is: Shall the Constitution
prevail; shall Congress, shall the peo-
pie of the United States alone have
power to employ the military and naval
forces Of the United States, or shall
they be placed under the jurisdiction
of tribunal Of nine, sitting in secrecy
at Geneva, eight of whom are for
eigners?
make no mistake about my posi-
ton. l am against the present cove.
nant of the league of nations. I be-
lieve in our traditional policy-friend-
ship and amity with all nations. en-
tangling alliances with none. l would
not. of course. iso!ate our country, and
it never has been isolated"
"All over the land" he continued,
ere is 9 demand for uphold;ng law
ard order. l unite in that demand.
or an instant sympathize with disor-
der or with the endeavor by violence
to overturn the government. But the
difficulty IN some quarters appears to
be certain vagueness concerning what
constitutes law and order.
while the utterances of the soap
box orator will never overturn this gov
ernment, the suppression of free speech
and the right of assemblage may be
the commencement of our di solution.
"The reaction which would prevent
legitimate free speech. which would
make government the mentor of mems
u C1c in Al
l0tion
Right to Advocate Change
eve can only continue as repub-
lie by free public opinion. Censorship
and governmental propaganda first cur
strey it, Any American citizen has
c right to advocate c age o. gov
ernn.ent by peaceable political means
within the Constitution and to en-
deavor to convert his fellow citizens
81 hi beliefs
"Some gentlemen stisy their tire
ess activities to suppress others opin-
ioAs pol tne .-.ooty at we are still
It W r. The fction that we are still
war is the present great American
Ia q, ich has supersode the patent
edcil G fraud. Peace is a fact, no
after what attenuated technicalities
-..ay be asserted"
Explains Stand on Custer
isesore he LETT the Hose. Belmont for
Brookiyn Senator snsou elab rated
9r = reporter Tor Tie Tribune his
yic"s or tAe suspension of ,hc assem-
~ Socia ISIS.
l Ieei very strongly in thc matter"
aaid lie. 81 believe it was a great err
roy. i read Justice Hughess letter on
hject and indorse Ms views
We say to the Reds and radicals, so
ionG as you seek to attain your ends
ilnin The scope of tue Federal Con-
se.tut.on you are at liberty to advocate
yoar principles. If you violate the
law yoa viii be put in jail The So
ciaIists were elected by orderly proc
esses, and. if I am correctly informed,
there was no charge against them at
t-e time they were excluded by the
Assembly. In the absence of charges
I d. not think they should have been
excluded"
Speaker Sweet is said to have proof
that will warrant the action of the
Assembly," it was suggested.
Then why was it not produced be-
fore the action was taken 2" asked SEN
ator Johnson. "Thev were shut out be-
fore they had chance to present
heir side of the story. These Socialists
alter 'tne treatment accorded them at
Albany will come to the conclusion
that there is no use depending on the
Constitution"
"No Clique Behind Me"
Asked concerning his candidacy for
the Republican nomination for Presi-
dent, Senator Johnson replied:
~ want every one TO know just
where | stand. l haven't the United
States Steel Corporation or any clique
of wealthy men behind me. haven't
means to run big campaign. All that
| can do IS the best l can, with what
energy ard brains God has given me.
| hate the hypocrisy exhibited bv some
of the candidates, who see to it that
everything possible is done in their
interest, but who almost break their
necks in trying to make believe that
they are only receptive candidates and
that the nomination is being forced on
them"
Asked about the status Of the peace
treaty, the Senator said:
"I do not know Of any tangible
change in the situation. OF course, the
politicians on both sides are eager for
a compromise 80 that the question shall
not become campaign issue. 1t
should be made an issue. A large ma
jority of the Republican Senators are
for the Lodge reservations. A large
majority Of .he democrats in the Sen