The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-02-23
HOOVER URGES
RATIFICATION
Opposes Making the Treaty
an Issue in the
Election
MILD RESERVATIONS
SHOULD BE ADOPTED
Believes American People
Believe in League of
Nations

|
Hoover, former food administrator, de-
clared to. day in an address at Johns
Hopkins university his opposition to
making the ratification of the treaty
with Germany an issue in the presi-
dential campaign. He insisted the in
lection of the arguments for and
against reservations would obscure
our pressing domestic issues by con-
| fict over a question in which the conn-
try already has made up its mind,
and added: at Is my impression that
there is no party credit in this posi-
ton"
| Hope for immediate ratification OF
the treaty rested, he said, in the ac-
ceptance by the "lesser reservationists'
of the proposals of the mild reserva-
ltionists..' The two combined, he said,
could secure ratification. "It also ap-
pears to u.s." he continued, that even
| from the point of view of the lesser
reservationists they win have secured
all of the major functions and values
of the league if it be put in being, and
if 1t prove it's living value in the world,
no one can doubt that any necessary
changes will be granted to it by com
mon consent as the years 90 on. For my
part, if the league cannot prove its
value under the latest proposals OF the
mild reseryationists, it will never prove
them, under the proposals of the less
er reservationists.
The present danger Europe is facing,
Mr.. Hoover said, is not so much reyo-
lutionary catacylsm as the STEADY de-
generation of the standard of living
and the slow decay of the forces OF
stability"
Restored productivity, he insisted, is
essential if the allies are to receive the
maximum reparation. Until then we
shall not have real peace" he said 1T
viii be delayed as long as we hang the
treaty in the air, for we are part
of IT,"
IL do not believe the adherence OF
the American people to the league re-
quires any demonstration" he contin-
ued. "It has been under discussion for
eight months 1t has been given able
debate and consideration in its every
lcomplexion. ] believe that the major
iity Of our people are convinced OF the
necessity of reservations with the
league. Both parties to the conflict ap-
pear 10 concede this. The conflicting
groups over the character of the reser-
vations have gradually abandoned
their extreme ground and have come
closer to a common mind. 1t would
appear to an outsider that both sides
were in agreement on all the great
major ideas of the league and the ma
ior ideas of reservations, but that they
are in disagreement mostly over sec
ondary questions in the reservations
In the meantime the world is held in
suspense Infinite misery gose on ae-
suspense. Forces are set in motion
that NAV Weld new conflicts. Already
the distrust and undermining Of conf
denee and credit in the world has Grip
pied our export market"
United States Part in Europe.
Regarding the part the United States
will take in the rehabilitation OF Eu-
rope. Mr.. Hoover counseled moderation.
I"yVe have two extreme views among
our people" he said upon the poll
cies we should adopt in all these mat
tiers. One contends that the ideal Is
lisolation-leave Europe 10 herself; the
other contends for at least moral domi-
nation but a mission of international
Justice. Many of us want neither ex-
treme.'
Assuming that the treaty would be
ratified some day. lin some form, he
expressed ashope that IL might serve TO
bring about reduction of armament
and the development OF engines OF
concihation. of arbitation and codes
and courts of international Justice
"We hope for its influence in the
destruction of the economic barriers set
up before and since the war; he con
ltinued. (which stife the recuperation
of and the free entry of our own com
lmerce over the world. Some OF us hope
the league -ill not interpose in inter
national differences except in the last
stage necessary to mitigate the truth
iof conflict. Some of us have no liking
for mandates of any European states,
for we thus plunge ourselves terrific
lriallv into Europe itself. with a long
train OF dangers. Most OF us have no
ambitions to moral OF other domina-
tion."
Except where the interests of the
United States are vitally concerned,
lMr. Hoover declared himself as OPP
lposed to American membership on the
Various missions provided for in the
treaty for the settlement of questions
raised by the war.
The losning Of money except 10 ale
lviate distress also was opposed. Our
best assistance in healing Europe's eco
lnomic wounds lies in the promotion OF
the great processes Of private com
lmercc." he said, mot in loans from our
government.
Mr.. Hoover's references to the peace
treaty and its ratifcation was preceded
lbv the presentation Of statistics calcu.
Hated to indicate what he called the
/" heart breaking underpayment Of
ischool teachers. There are, he said
llO0.OpO teaching positions in the public
schools that are now vacant or hiled
ibv teachers below standard Not q
university in the United States, he
said. hat j. not losing. month by
month. some Of its best ability by the
lcnmpetition of commerce.