Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-10-23
They Are Afraid
to Speak Truth
New York Times

New York Timcs
There has been more misrepresentation,
prevaricstion and downright falsehood In
this campaign than in any other Preslden-
tial contest within the memory OF men.
IL is of common knowledge and an every
dav ircidcnt that in the outgivings OF the
advocates Of Mr.. Hardings election, the
utterances Of the candidate himself, the
speeches of his supporters, statements
issued by groups or ORGANIZATIONS III sup
port of his candidacy, startling, depar-
lures from truth arc constantly detected
and exposed. 1t is not merely that IN
truth is charged, it If proved. They de-
clarc that MIR. Wilson insisted upon the
agreement the l,eagueof Nations) abso-
hitely unchanged" and they go on repeat
ing that falsehood day after day, althouth
the Presidents letter TO MIR Hitchcock
declaring that he would accept the Sen
ator's reservations has been published all
over the country. Those reservations met
every objection sincerely urged by he
publican critics. They dehantly repeat
the charge that Mr.. Cox declares that he
will insist upon the Treaty just as MIR.
Wilson negotiated it, although they know
very well that Mr.. Cox has many times
expressed his willingness 10 accept reserva-
tions that clarity, strengthen or explain,
including reservation pointing out that
any act of war on our part must have the
authorization of Congress.
II is bad enough that the Republicans
should miuepresent the Democrats. But
why should they invoke Ananlas To deceive
members Of their own party The state
mcnt of the 81 leading Republicans de-
cl.ring their support of Harding Is con-
That uYreat ffN
the Republicans to stand fast. Yet it re-
pssats the false allegation that MIR. Wilson
insisted upon the covenant without change
and with plan intent to deceive it garbles
senator Hardings famous speech Of
August %. These Republicans quote MIR.
Harding "A saying that there are dis
tlnctly two types of international rela-
tionship. One Us an Offensive and defensive
alliance of grcat powers" The quotation
hrs,ks oil there In the middle OF q sentence
which Mr.. Harding completed IN these
words, like that created at Versailles, To
impose their VIII upon the helpless peoples
of the world. Then Immediately follows
this declaration: frankly, | am opposed
u such scheme rs that, and | speak
knowingly when | say that the Associated
Powers, with whom we fought the war,
were reluctant to accept such PROPOSE
tion. | am opposed TO the very thought OF
our Republic becoming party 70 so gross
an outrage upon other peoples who have
as good right To seek their political
froedom as we had IN l776 and have the
same right 10 developing ernrnenoe under
the inspiration of nationality as we held
for ourselves" All that is omitted and the
quotation proceeds by inserting the next
paragraph of the speech beginning with
the words, the other type Is a society OF
free nations or an ASSOCIATION OF free nA-
tions, and 30 on.
Norse than that, thesc 81 Republicans
omitted all mention of the Dies Momcs
speech in which Mr.. Harding declared
that he wanted no clarIbcation Of the
prpyisfons of the covcnARt, he wanted re
lection. Mr.. Cox, he s.ad, wanted to go IN,
he did not Anybody can sec why therc
fatal passages were omitted. The 81 were
irving II persuade themselves and other
Republicans that we can most effectively
advance the cslKe OF International Co
operation, ~ promote peace by supporting
Mr. HaadInG for election to the Posi-
oency"
The Dies Nome. utternnce was excluded
bes.ause IL would not do at al 70 show that
this candidate whose election would so ad-
vance the cause of pence rejects the only
of adoption.
Already the Republicans are at odds
among themselves. Gross and fragrant
Misrepresentation OF Hardngs position is
charged by Senator johnson upon that
wing OF the Republican party which pro
fesses TO see some good In the league.
Hiram Johnson understands the Des
MoInes utter.lnoe. He knows where
Harding stands. How far the 81 are
deceived about Mr. Hardings
attitude toward the League of Nations
We do not know. Senator johnson u not
deceived He has the candidate S word
for IL that he has turned ms back on the
eague OF Nations, that he wants re!ec-
ton
Plainly, the Republicans IN this cam
paign are afraid of the truth. They do not
want the people TO know that Governor
Cox Is willing 10 accept all necessary reser-
vations They have openly adopted the
policy OF keeping the League of Nations
out OF the hands OF their speakers, away
from the knowledge of the people. They
did not insert the covenant IN their cam
paign textbook, which Is the manual of |
speakers. Republican governors
Of States with one accord have refused TO
name October "a SIS a day on which the |
covenant should be read and studied. Ten
Democratic governors have recommended |
the study OF il on that day. Manifestly, |
they fear the effect upon the fortunes of |
their candidate Of letting the people know |
what the league Is. They profess the ut |
most confidence IN MIR Hardings election {
vet they are afraid of the truth. Not even |
Times.