The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-03-09
IF YOU WERE PRESIDENT?


IF you were president, what would be your at
titude of action in relation to the peace
treaty and the League Of Natons?"
This is the question that the Christian Herald
put to the governors OF states, heads of leading
universities and colleges mayors of several of the
larger and more important cities. members OF both
houses Of congress- clergymen. editors Of great
newspapers and prominent citizens Of the United
States.-in all, about two hundred queries. The
names were selected without reference to party OR
to the expressed views of those addressed The sole
idea was to ascertain the attitude of those Amer
leans most competent by education. experience anc
training to pass Judgment on the treaty and the
League of Nations Covenant and to present those
views without bias.
Opponents to the League OF Nations were few
The Herald says: Among them is William Hale
Thompson, mayor of Chicago, who declares that
without reservations the Covenant of the League
destroys American sovereignty in the open with one
blow; with reservations the Covenant of the League
destroys American sovereignty, under cover. by
piecemeal' Another mayor, Charles F. Gillen, Of
Newark, N j.: 4 absolutely against the
League because it is lacking a foundation of sin
certify and truth Sidney j. Cats, governor of
Florida opposes the League Because he does not
believe in any government or set of men being over
the United States government"
Mayor Thompson was VIGOROUSLY pro- German in
his sympathies during the world-war; just now
New Jersey is very much in the limelight because
of the open opposition of its governor and other
public officials to the present administration and
its policies; for the Governor of Florida to make
one with this trio is the logical sequence of the
career OF a man who has blasphemousy said that
the common people of the state have only three
friends Sears Roebusk, Jesus Christ and Sidney
j Cats" \ who will try to catch votes with
such buffoonery is worthy unit OF trio composed
0, pro- German mayor. a New Jersey mal-content
and Florida Catt)astrophe.
These three represent the entresopposton to the
League of Nations as indicated by the replies
oeIved by the Christian Herald, which says
All others apparently consider that the adj
visibility of form of World League is
beyond debate and are concerned only with
means by which it is to be attained and by
which American rights to be protected. This
view is expressed by James Couzens. mayor of
Detroit. in the following words:
This world must learn to cooperate fight.
1t is the other. The steps are logical
from the tribe to the City State to the National
State, to the World State A world held at least
by balance of power plan is world sitting
on dynamite and playing with fire Let take
the League of Nations, it is, if abso-
lutely necessary and use it to build on or amend
later"
Reason for immediate action are given by Paul
L. Feiss. president of the Cleveland Chamber of
Commerce. over year has elapsed since the
Armistice was signed and we have peace" he
says. "A bleeding and stricken world asks for
and security, and are still haggllng
over the terms. Our industry and COM
merce is left without direction because conclu-
sons cannot be made definite without the
knowledge Of the terms of peace"
w. A Nelson president of Smith College, de-
clares the principal thing is to get the League j
going in some form ;.even though it is necessary
to accept the Lodge reservations. although they
seem to me mostly useless or worse"
Many others uphold his plea for compromise,
although they differ in placing the blame for
the delays which Treaty and Covenant have en-
countered.
Il would recognize the senate intrega1 |
part of the treaty making power says C. NJ
Harwood editor Of the Baltimore Sun.
Il am in fun accord with President Wilson's
position" says L. E. Sheppard, president of the
Order OF Railway Conductors. "Partisanship is
doir1A its deadly work" /
Few favor the idea OF referendum, the gen.
eral opinion being that opposing factions should |
manifest concatory spirit and should thrash
out the issue so as to avoid further delay.
Earliest possible moment settle it before |
nightfall," speedy ratification" typical of |
the expressions demanding end to delay.