Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-03
STRONG FOR WILSON AND
THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS
But In Other Resi- pects the Demo-
cratic Platform Is Chiefly Platl.
tudes and Weasel Words

| THE first impression produced by the
l. San Francisco platform Is that the
! Democrats in control there were Just as
determined as the Republicans in con
troll in Chicago that the party should
/ not alinc itself with the radicals. Bids
to enlist the sympathes of the pro-
grcssive Republicans. among whom
cambridge Colby was formerly con-
! spicuous. are. however, apparent.
But the extremists who were looking
for consolation in San Francisco find
/ themselves all dressed up and nowhere
to go. Both platforms show how
groundlcss were the fears of those
who were dreading the spread Of i'm o.
ported political fads in America. They
prove that America as a whole is in no
mood for experimenting with political
or industrial panaceas, the applica
ton of which would overturn our in
dustrial or political system. We seem
TO be pretty we'll satisfied with Amer
ican theories and practices.
Coming down to specific propositions,
interest will center on the Democratic
pronounccment on the League of Ma
tions. The Republicans straddled on
that issue. They were cowardly and
indefinite. writing a plank intended to
win the support of those who favor the
league and those who oppose il. They
followed this course in order to prevent
a bolt Of a small handful of opponents
of the league who were more noisy than
influential. II does not yet appear
whether the price for the surrender of
principle will be paid. An attempt is
making to organize a third party with
the opponents of the league as its
nucleus.
The opportunity offered by the Re
publican pussyfooting has been seized
upon by the Democrats. They have
definitely pronounced in favor of the
ratification of the league covenant, and
the arguments they offer in support of
it are those with which every reader
of the Republican and Democratic
newspapers favoring it have long been
familiar. The platform, however, goes
further than the supporters Of the
President in the Senate have been will
ing to go, for it consents to reserva-
tions which do not ''impair its essential
integrity" and does not oppose 'the
acceptance of any reservations making
clearer or more specific the obligations
of the United States to the league asso-
ciatPs."
The declaration in favor of accepting
reservations was made on the demand
of Senator Walsh. Of Massachusetts,
and others who had voted for the Lodge
reservations. II the Democrats in the
Senate had been permitted to go as far
as the platform goes the treaty would
doubtless have been ratified long ago.
As matters stand today. however, the
Democrats have the advantage over the
Republicans in their platform declara-
ton on the league. Hundreds of thou
sands of Republicans are looking to
Senator Harding to make his own
league platform in his speech of ac
CeptanCe. He can say what he under
stands the Republican plank to mean
and how he will interpret it as Presi-
dent. If he does not do this the league
issue is likely to overshadow every other
issue in the campaign. All the senator
will have to do in order to put himself
in a dcfenSible position is to aline him
self with the great majority of the Re
publican party. If he does not do this
he is in danger of finding lukewarmness
where there ought to be enthusiasm.
Both platforms ignore the Volstead
act and the prohibitory amendment.
They accept national prohibition as
settled and no longer debatable. Its
constitutionality has been sustained by
the Supreme Court and the validity Of
the enforcement law has also been sus-
tanned.
There is a manifest disposition to let
the matter alone for the present until
it is seen how the country adjusts itself
10 the new conditions. Congress is left
free without any commitments from
either party to meet the situation as
seems WISE or to let the whole subject
alone. There is no doubt, however,
that considerations of expediency led
both partie, to ignore the liquor ques-
tion.
The platform contains the usual mum
Der Of plattudinous planks that mean
nothing. Sympathy for Ireland Is ex-
pressed in n harmless manner. safe
1nbor plank was adopted which faces IN
a. many directions as the Republican
league plank. Labor Is said to be mot
a commodity. but human and the
right Of labor TO strike is sustained,
save against the government. Com
pulsory arbitration is opposed, but the
party pledges itself ito contrive, 4
possible, and put into effective opera
ton a fair and comprehensive method
Of composing differences. This means
absolutely nothing, because of tho
weasel word. in it. But 1t will serve
its purpose.
Those familiar with Democratic oD.
position to what they used to ro0
''dollar diplomacy" will smile as thov
rcod the declarations in favor of tho
security of foreign investments in
Mexico and in support of such action
legislative and executive, as may secure
to American citizens the same rights In
acquiring mining rights in foreign coun
tries as are enjoyed by the citizens or
subiects@o any other nation
This is about as compl"tN a reversal
of the historic Democratic position as
are the declarations in support Of fed
oral aid for good roads and inland
waterways. But the EepuuIirans will
welcome the help of the Democrats
in carrying out internal improvements
and in protecting the rights Of Ameri .
can investors abroad.
Economists will also smile at the
lapdoode in the high cost of living
k.11 =. =