Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1920-10-15


W. Wickersham. Henry L. Stimson, A.
Lawrence Lowell, Henry w. Taft, and
Charles e. Hughes were among the
signers of the statement. which follows
THE undersigned, who desire that
the United States shall do her full part
in association with the other civilized
nations to prevent war, have earnestly
considered how we may contribute most
effectively to that end by our votes
in the coming election.
Force Is Essential
'The question between the candidates
is not whether our country shall join
in such an association. 1t is whether We
shall join under an agreement containing
the exact provision negotiated by Presi-
dent Wilson at Paris, or under an agree
ment which omits or modifies some of
those provisions which are very objec-
tionab1e to great numbers of the Ameri-
can people.
'tThe paper signed by 3S Republican
senator's in March, 1919, before the
league covenant was adopted at Paris,
advised the president that the signers
could not approve treaty in the form
then proposed, although it was their
sincere desire that the nations of the
world should unite to promote peace and
general disarmament
Modification Proposed
"a majority of the senatevoted to
ratify the league agreement with modi-
fications which there is good evidence to
show would have been accepted by the
other nations. But Mr.. Wilson refused
to accept these notifications and in
sisted upon the agreement absolutely un-
changed, and Democratic senator's suffi-
clent IN number to defeat the treaty as
modified followed Mr. Wilson by voting
against ratification
Where Parties Stand
"That is substantially the difference
between the parties now The Democra-
tic platform and candidate stand un-
qualifiedly for the agreement negotiated
at Paris without substantive modifica-
tions
"On the other hand the Republican
platform says: The Republican party
stands for agreement among the nations
to preserve the peace of the world We
believe that such an international assoc
citation must be based upon international
justice and must provide methods which
shall maintain the rule of public right by
the development of law and the decision
of impartial courts, and which shall Sc
cure instant and general international
conference whenever peace shall be
threatened Dy pOHLlcaI act10n, so that
the nations pledged to do and insist upon
what is just and fair may exercise their
influence and power for the prevention
of war
Harding's Statement.
"Mr. Harding said in his speech of
August %:
There are distinctly two types Of
international relationship. One is an of
fensive and defensive alliance of great
powers. The other type is a
society Of free nations. or a league Of
free nations, animated by considerations
of right and justice instead of might
and sef-interest. and not merely pro-
claimed an agency in pursuit of peace
but so organized and SO participated in
as to make the actual attainment Of
peace a reasonable possibility Such an
association | favor with all my heart,
and ! would make no distinction as to
whom credit is due. One need not care
what it is called. Let it be an association
society or u league, or what not, our
concern is solely with the substance,
not the form thereof
Mr. Harding has since repeatedly re-
affirmed the declaration of this speech,
IN most positive terms.
Question Over Form.
The question, accordingly, is not be-
Continued on Page Two.)