South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-08-08

ject Of partitions and divisions Of
territory on new lines would be re-
opened. The difficulties in this re-
gard. as any fair mind appreciates,
would be greater than they were at
the peace session, and we must not
attempt 10 convince ourselves that
they did not try the genius. patience,
AID diplomacy Of statesmen at that
time History will say that great as
was the allied triumph in war. no
less a victory was achieved at the
reace table. The republican pro-
posal means dishonor. world con-
fusion and delay. IL would keep
us in permanent company with Ger
many Russia. Turkey and Mexico
II would entail, IN the ultimate. more
real injury than the war itself. The
democratic position on the question.
al expressed in the platform, is.
CITES DEMOCRATIC
PARTY PLEDGE.
we advocate immediate ratifca-
tion Of the treaty without reServa-
tions which would impair its essen
tial integrity. but do not oppose the
acceptance of any reservation max
ing clearer or more specific the OBJ
legations of the United States 10 the
lea que associates"
The first duty OF the new admin
istration clearly will be the ratihca-
tion of the treaty. The matter
should be approached without
thought of the bitterness of the past.
The public verdict will have been
rendered, and l am confident that
the friends of world peace as il will
DC promoted by the league. will have
in numbers the constitutional re
Quisite 10 favorable senatorial action
The captiOus may say that our plat
form reference 10 reservations Is
vague and indefinite. Its meaning
in brief. is I1at we shall state our
Interpretation Of the covenant as
matter fgood faith 20 our associ-
ates and as preCaution against any
misunderstanding in the future. Tho
point is, that after the people shall
have spoken. the league Will be in
the hands of its friends in the sen
ate. and a safe index as 10 what
they will do is supplied by what re-
Servations they nave proposed I'm the
past. Some months ago. in a con
tributed article 20 the New York
Times. l expressed my own opin-
ion OF the situation as il then was
II reproduce il here:
There can be no doubt but that
tious i'm their cesire 10 clarity the
provisions OF the treaty. Two things
apparently have disturbed them
First, they warted 10 make sure that
the league was not TO be an alliance.
and that its basic purpose was peace
and not controversy Second. they
wanted the other powers signing the
instrument TO understand our con
stitutiOna, limitations beyond which
the reaty-making power cannot go.
Dealing with these two questions i'm
order. IL has always seemed 10 me
that the Interpretation Of the func-
tiOn of the league might have been
stated in these words:
" In giving its assent 20 this
treaty. the senate has in mind the
fact that the League OF Nations
which II embodies was devised for
peace and comfy among the ma
tiOns Of the earth and preventing
the recurrence OF such dcstructiv.
conflicts as that through which the
world has just passed The coOpera-
tion OF the United States with the
league and its continuance as
member thereof. will naturally de
pend upon the adherence of the
league 10 that fundamental pur-
pose
such a declaration would al least
express the view OF the United
States and justify the course which
our nation would unquestiOnably
follow II the basic purpose Of the
league were at any time distorted.
II would also appear 10 be a simpler
matter 20 provide against any mis-
understanding in the future and az
the same time 10 meet the objec-
lions OF those who believe that we
might be inviting a controversy over
our constitutional rights BY making
a senatorial addition in words some
thing like these:
d" 1t will OF course be understood
that in carrying out the purpose OF
the league. the government OF the
United States must at all times act
in strict harmony with the terms
and intent OF the United States con
stitution which cannot in any way
be altered by the treaty making
power"
LEAGUE FRIENDS
MAKE PROPOSALS.
UnQuestioned friends Of the league
have made other proposals. Our
platform clearly lays no bar against
any additions that will be helpful.
but II speaks IN a firm resolution 90
stand against anything that dis-urbS
the vital principle We hear IL said