Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-03
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1920.
Is II Ignorance, or Mendacity2

During the heat of natlonal poillca
campaign misrepresentation, even of
mendacious character, and arguments
thst consist of plain falsehoods based on
ignorance. are naturally expected. lhey
form the stock in trade OF many partisans
in all political parties, and y them arc
considered as legitimate weapons either
Of attack or defence. But when the partl-
san excitement of national political
campaign has spent itself, il is reasonable
10 EXPECT an abandonment Of such DIS
creditsble. in many instances disreputable,
resorts.
We have been melted 10 these reiiec-
tions by the appearance, in the columns Of
2 Republican newspaper in this State, OF
tn, following; mo particular protest
a2ainst a League Of Nations idea was
heard when President Wilson first hroach-
ed il 10 Congress on January 5. 1919, and
Senators who gave II casual thought At the
time probably approved il as an ahstraot
principle Of international morality but
those same Senator. became bitter If
reconciIables when the resl nature Of the
proposal was made known TO them. In
the same way. Senators who voted for the
repeal of the free tolls provision OF the
Panama Canal act, in 1914, very likely
hsve had their eyes opened since then,
nd will heartily assist President Harding
when he takes steps to have that provision
restored. Much water has gone under the
bridge since that time, and the schemes OF
European nations TO embarrass America
and Amer can commerce in every way
have been exposed.
The reference to the attitude OF certain
Republican Senators towards the League
citations is simply a bit Of cheap casulstry
designed to cover the real truth and the
awkward truth 90 far as most Of these
Senators are concerned. There Is ample
evidence that when they gave approval to
the League Of Nations proposlt on they
were acting in accord with their convlc-
tions, SIS publicly made known by Their
deliberate declarations Even Senator
Lodge is on record as having favored an
organization Of the exact character Of the
League Of Nations as II exist. today
Theodore Roosevelt favored il heartily, ID
puhlic utterances and in his writings. and
80 did ex-President Taft and Mr. Root II
ws~ onlv after the work had been sc-
comphshed that they reacted from their
plain records and opposed the League OF
Nations. from the mean and narrow par-
tl.ap view thst it was largely the handl-
work of President Wilson, and therefore
should be DESTROYED. And 50 they opposed
"a accordance hy our country, and today
We are outside the pale Of this great IN
strument for securing peace throughout
the world But not for long viii we re-
msin IN this hunliliatiDg position. Even
the partisan enemies Of the League are
now craftily seeking for some way Of
entering this great worldwide combina-
ton for a splendid purpose in a manner
that NAV relieve them Of the appearance
Of Inconsistency or another reversal Of
form as radical rs their first about-fsce.
But the above reference TO the proposed
move for a restoration Of the Law OF 1914,
which provided that American vessels
engaged in the coasting trade should have
free use of the Panama Canal, Is either an
expression of ignorance so gross that any
newspaper should be ashamed Of it or
plain purpose to deceive. The act Of
1914 granting favorable discrimination to
certain American vessels in the use Of the
Panama Canal. was deliberate violation
OF our Treaty with Great Britain That
Treaty pledged the use of the cana 70
vessels Of all nations, our own included, on
terms of absolute equality, without dis
elimination in favor Of any, and it was
dishOnorable act on the part Of our Con-
gress 70 extend a favoritism in this re-
spect TO vessels of our own country And
20 restore that favorable discrimination
TO American vessels would be an
other act Of dishoDor az long as that
Treaty remains in force
There is nothing partisan in this con-
alteration Of the subject, matter which
involves the honor of our nation The
Treaty is not of Democratic origin 1t
was negotiated by John Hay, Secretary Of
State under President Roosevelt, and Sir
Julian Pauncefote, British Ambassador at
Washington 1t was ratified by a Re
publican Senate and promulgated by
Theodore Roosevelt, a Republican Presi-
dent, on February %, 1902, the birthday
anniversary of George Washington Yet it
If deliberately proposed, at this late day, to
commit what would / G a violation Of
plighted national faith that could not be
short of infamous, for the sole purpose Of
financially benefiting some Of theshipping
interests Of our country. 1t is amazing
bow such discreditable procedure can
be seriously considered.
---e----x@
L. - -4s IL