Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-01-15
THURSDAY, JANUARY Is. 1920
Indorsed by Leading Americans.

Ii tnefG was anything pai tLSaAi III tfAc
provisions of the Treaty of Peace and
the Covenant of the League of Nations,
there would be some measure OF justitica-
tion for the partisan opposition so per-
sistentiy displayed to these two great
measures of world peace by Lodge and
his fellows IN the United States Senate.
But of itself, neither the Treaty nor the
Covenant is partisan in sentiment or pur-
pose TO the remotest extent. Both are
patriotic and promotive Of the best IN
terests of the entire world.
Proof to this effect il ample Ii Is
found in testimony afforded by Senator
Lodge himself in his past public utter
snces, notably in an address delivered by
him at Williams College, less than five
wears ago. in furtherance Of the project
Of a League Of Nations for the purpose
Of assuring the peace Of the world. Il IS
found in the writings and public utter
ances Of Theodore Roosevelt 70 the same
effect. 1t Is found in the hearty support
extended 10 the Treaty and the Covenant
hv William Howard Taft, Republican
and an ex-President Of the United States,
although recently he has displayed some
evidences Of weakening in his patriotic
position and OF concessions to the OBJ
structionists.
This week, the Social Democratic
League Of Anerca, with headquarters in
New York City, issued an appeal to the
American people to demand the speedy
ratification Of the Treaty Of Peace and
the League Of Nations Covenant. The
appeal was in the form Of q symposium,
tho principal contributors to which were
Charles ". Eliot, Cyrus H. Mccormick,
Oscar 5. Strauss, Samuel Gompers, Ham
IIton Holt. Darwin P Kingsley, Lawrence
Abbott and Ernest Poole. These men are
not partisans. They represent various
shades Of political opinion. but all are
patriotic Americans above everything
else. And they unitedly urge the ratih-
cation Of the Treaty Of Peace and the full
participation Of our country IN the activi-
ties Of the League OF Nations.
Al the declarations in this symposium
of the Social Democratic League Of Amer
ica were most effective. The president,
Charles Edward Russell, said The
Treaty was prepared by the representa-
tives OF the leading nations, includ-
ing our own, after long, careful, ANXIOUS
debate. II is undoubtedly the best docu-
rnent Of the kind that under the existing
conditions could be arrived at, for never
have there been SO many, such conflicting
and such diverse interests brought into
harmonious agreement for peace and good
will on earth The basis Of this agree-
noest has been reached by reciprocal con-
cessione. Peace, security and the future
are the objects. We are not called upon to
make greater concessions for these OBJ
jects than other nations; we are not
worthy of our place IN modern civilization
If we are less ready TO make them"
In his statement Dr. Eliot declared
that all the advice recently gwen BIZ
Republican Senators 70 the effect that
America should remain isolated or should
take no effective part II putting INTO
practice international policies, embodied
IN the treaty, seemed to him selfish and
cowardly He added that If WAS the
abandonment OF the political and social
principles and practices which have made
this country free.
Equally emphatic were the other dec
larations, all gong . emphasize the
Importance Of final acqulescence by the
United States Senate, instead of con
tinuance Of the bitter opposition that has
worked such injury, thus far, to the great
cause Of !, Worlds Peace. They breathed
tht spirit Of sound and solid interna-
tionaIzer of d kind that would unite the
influential nations Of the world ID elIec-
tive opposition against all suggestions Of
war III the future
Strange it is that even the most rabld
Of partisan politicians cannot see that op-
position 10 the Treaty 81 Peace and the
League Of Nations is opposition to the
best interests Of the people they assume to
represent While our country, by reason
Of its impregnabIe position and its great
power, has no reason to fear war, it has
every reason 10 favor peace, and every
incentive TO Join in maintaining peace
throughout the world While we might |
be lnyInclble IL war, VIC are il d position
TO be powerful IN peace. and ii the peace
full exercise Of our powers and the effective
employment of our Intelligence. oar re-
sources and our large wealth, To AXE The |
lead Of the world ID the march toward
future progress and prosperity IN thia /
assuring outlook there u 10 room for /
considerations Of petty politics And u
men Of III political parties outside Of tile |
1ongress arc united IN fayol Of tho great