Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-08-19
LET US BE FRANK IN RESERVATIONS,

Governor Cox is proclaiming that the league
of nations could not force to join In war because
the constitution still leaves to the power to
withhold funds and refrain from declaring war ME-
Wilson has stressed the point that we are morally
bound to go to II the league calls, should we
be a member. In fact he thinks we are morally
bound any way because he signed up for the country
in making a peace treaty which the senate declined
to ratify. Mr. Cox has announced that he and Will
son are in perfect accord and the president con-
firms the statement
The candidate seems to be seeking way to con-
vince the voters that could go into the league
and rely on congress to keep Out of war. In
other words now satisfy the foreign countries by
Joining the family and later find way out to keep
from doing part
But why go into anything In bad faith? Why
not keep our sef-respect and clearly eliminate the
pledge in Article to join in preserving the poti-
cal and territorial integrity the distant members?
That would leave us as free to go to war as we nave
been, if we choose to do so, 1t would not be de-
ceptve or encourage scrappy nations to do things
expecting the backing of America. There would not
be implied promise to use force.
And again, If we were in the league, with pres
ident in full accord with Wilson's plans and pledged
keep Wilson's promises Cox has declared he
will, would have another controversy If congress
hestaed. The president would make drive over
the country denouncing congress, stirring popular
feeling to coerce that body and preaching that we
were morally bound. Congressman would be called
pigmies and dishonorable degenerates and partisan
prosecutors of the president
The country would be kept in a state of unrest.
Domestic interests and business would be disturbed
Just as they have been by the determination of Will
son to force congress to do something it has the
right under the constitution to refuse to do
Let us keep the fate of the nation in our own
hands without making any pledges to be interpreted
hopefully abroad and involve in controversies at
home as to whether they to be respected re-
pudated.
The treaty altered by the Lodge resolution re-
moves the pledge fight to preserve the boundaries
to that change. He vetoed the proposition after
would be welcomed into the league without the
pledge other nations gave In Article X.
Cox says II am for going in" He would go in with
the iron bound promise in the Wilson covenant
when there is no necessity of promise that could
be used to draw the country into every foreign war
Congress ought TO be kept free from being put
into position where it be accused of breaking
specific even moral obligations given in advance
to send soldiers and money to win abroad
Congress might be legally free under the theory
Governor Cox, Secretary Baker and other cabinet
members are now preaching-while keeping silent
as to Wilson's declaration that we honor bound
to the world to do whatsoever Wilson wished.
But our status now and forever will be better
If frankly cut out the dangerous pledge.
We ought not to elect president congressman
who will give Europe any expectation of using us
military club to coerce any one of the nations
there.