The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-08-07

IN giving its assent. to this
treaty, the Senate has in mind the
fact that the leasua of nations which
it embodies was devised for the sole
purpose Of maintaining peace and
comfy among the nations of the
earth and preventing the recurrence
of such destructive conflicts as that
through which the world has just
passed. The cooperation of the Unit
ed States with the league and its con-
tinuance as member thereof, will
naturally depend upon the adherence
of the league to that fundamental
purpose
"Such a declaration would at least
express the view of the United States
and justify the course which our ma
ton would unquestionably follow if
the basic purpose of the league were
at any time distorted. 1t would also
appear to be simpler matter to pro-
vide against any misunderstanding in
the future and at the same time TO
meet the objections of those who be-
lieve that we might be inviting con-
troversy over our constitutional
rights, by making senatorial rights,
by making senatorial addition in
words something like these:
Tt 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 constitu-
ton which cannot in any way be al
tered by the treaty-making power !"
Unquestioned friends of the league
have made other proposals. Our plat
form clearly lays no bar against any
additions that will be helpful, but it
speaks in firm resolution to stand
against anything that disturbs the
vital principle. We hear it said that
interpretations are unnecessary. That
may be true, but they will at least be
reassuring to many of our citizens,
who feel that in signing the treaty,
there should be no mental reserva-
tons that are not expressed in plain
words, as matter of good faith to
cur associates. Such interpretations
possess the further virtue of supply
ing base upon which agreement can
be reached. and agreement, without
injury TO the covenant, is now of
pressing Importance 1t was the de-
sire to get things started. that
prompted some members of the Sen
ate to vote for the Lodge reserva-
tions. Those who conscientiously
voted for them in the final roll calls
realized however that they acted I'M
der duress, in that a politically bigot-
ed minority was exercising the arbi-
trary power of its position to enforce
drastic conditions. Happily the vot-
tiers of the republic, under our system
of government, can remedy that stu
alton, and | have faith that they will,
at the election this fall. Then organ
lied government will be enabled to
combine impulse and facility in the
making of better world conditions.
The agencies of exchange will auto
matically adjust themselves to the
opportunities of commercial freedom.
New life and renewed hone will take
hold of every nation. Mankind will
press a resolute shoulder to the task
of readjustment, and a new era viii
have dawned upon the earth.
We have domestic problems to be
settled. They are most pressing.
Many conditions growing out of the
war will not and should not continue.
The work of readjustment will call
for our best energy, ingenuity, un-
selfshness and devotion to the idea
that it is the general welfare we must
promote One of the first things 70
be done is the repeal of war taxes.
The entry of America into the world
war projected our people into an I'M
paralleled financial emergency, which
was faced with determination to
make every sacrifice necessary to vic
tory. Billions in liberty loans sub
scribed by patriots regardless of then
| financial condition were instantly
| placed at the disposal of the govern
ment, and other billions were gladly
| paid into the treasury through many
| form sof taxation. To have paid by
current taxes more than one-third OF
the expense of the greatest war in the
history of mankind, is a reflection or
the high sense of national duty with
which we of America view the obliga.
lions of this generation. Immediate
ly following the armistice. measures
to modify onerous and annoying taxa
ton should have been taken and the
republican Congress in which all "a,
laws must originate, and which fol
almost two years has exclusively helG
the power to ameliorate this condI
ton, has not made single effort Of
passed a single law to lift from The
| American people a load of war tax
alton that cannot be tolerated in {
time of peace Federal taxation mus
be heavily reduced, and it will b.
done at once, if a democratic admin
istration is chosen in November
Without hampering essential nationa
administrative departments, by tht
elimination of all others and strict
economy everywhere, national take:
4 con bo Y.odr1ood IN oyonSS of two hill