The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-08-15
The One Big Issue of the 1920 Presidential Campaign
by T. A. LATTA

Its nature or effect against any OF
the things objected TO. Any act OF
which humanity Is capable could be
construed as an act OF peace by the
council of the league even though
the same decision made levy
against the United States for n mil
lion troops and It's entire naval
forces.
The Proponents OF the league. es-
pecially It's American proponents,
have always insisted that II was a
cure-all for war and had no other
purpose or effect. The absurdity OF
such contention Is admitted now by
thinking men everywhere. 10 stands
demonstrated In the theater of world
events Opponents Of the pact have
insisted that 1t Is not a peace giving
document but It's anthithesis, n war
producing document to confirm con-
guests already achieved and involve
the United states hopelcssly In Euro
pcan politics while permitting Euro
pcdu politicians to have the major
voice in Western Hemisphere poll.
tics, contrary to the fixed policy OF
the United states since It's very birth.
For the congress to rely on the
efficacy Of such "A resolution as Is
proposed by the democratic candi-
date would be for congress to de-
liberately commit n fraud on the
nation It is sworn to serve. For such
a reservation is Contradicted by
every rule OF law.
When you sign a contract your
notation that YOU understand IL to
mean thus and so would have no
standing In any court In the land.
q "A 4 ia
to their plain provisions, and the
contracting party is very correctly
assumed to know what is is he or
she IL contracting to perform. And
IL II Is OF the nature OF the contract
that its meaning is to be determined
by a body or commission created in
its provisions. then the personnel Of
that body or commission as well as
its natural associations and racial
instincts become the very heart Of
the question indeed.
The Second Cox Reservation.
On the assumption that his first
reservation answers the purpose
| nicely. the democratic candidate
proceeds to his second:
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 constitution, which cannot
in any way be altered by the
treaty making power.
1t tries ones patience "a discuss
seriously so childish a proposition
II arouses ones indignation that any
man conceived big enough TO direct
and protect the destiny of this great
| people should permit himself TO &C
toy with the nations sacred inter.
ests for mere partisan purposes.
This reservation is explanatorl
with a vengeance. Tho congress,
would, did It give its assent to the
| league with such a reservation. b,
merely assuming fully every obli'
| cation implied or otherwise, while
calling attention to the fact that Il
would do so in a constitutional way
Enters here President Wilson's
| dictum with respect Of moral obli
cations. Neither OF the Cox reser'
| vations changes in the remotest de
gree any obligation the United
| States would assume in ratifying tn,
| league. Both simply repeat wha
| has never been disputed by AM
man. proponent or opponent
II seems to me that we may with
| propriety look further into thi'
second reservation which is Offered
| by the democratic candidate as on,
of the only two reservations his
| party is willing to accept. Let II bC
not forgotten that the senate reser-
vations were designed primarily tC
| relieve this nation of obligations
which subverts its independence anC
sovereignty alike, and other provi'
sions which operate to force 1t into
an impossible situation in futur,
crisia OF the world.
The provision OF the league itsell
permitting member nations to with
| draw constitutes a grave and instan
peril. For 1t permits Withdrawal
| only when ample notice OF such in
/ tention TO withdraw has been Eiver
and then only when such natior
/ shall have been found TO have ful
| filled its obligations to the league
Now in common fairness. tina
provision constitutes membership
/ in perpetuity. For IL leaves NJ
right Of decision or judgmen
either, 10 the member nation seek
ing withdrawal. II A, B and C arr
associated together for any enter
prise imagined, and the terms o
tho contract permit any one OF tn,