New-York tribune., 1920-10-08


dotting an - or crossing 't,' the re-
fusal to .advise-that is. to counsel
with the Senate, in accordance with the
mandate of the Constitution. is whol)v
responsible for that condition.
The issue, which our opponents are
endeavoring to befog, is singularlv
simple and direct. That Issue, as made
by the Democratic President and the
Democratic platform and the Demo-
cratic candidate, does not present to
the American people the question
of association among the nations for
the purpose of preserving international
peace, but whether they favor the par
tlcular league proposed by President
Wilson. The Democratic platform and
candidate have not declared for am as
sociation, but for that association.
and it is that association and not some
other which we are promised will be
ratified within sixty days if the Demo-
cratic candidate be elected.
Deadly Blow at Constitution
"The platform, to be sure, approaches
and sly qualifications calculated to
betray the innocent and entrap the
unwary; but it does, nevertheless, In
dorse the league rs it stands. 1t
does not advocate or favor any reser-
vatons or amendments or changes or
qualifications. 1t goes no further than
to suggest that reservations will not
be opposed which make clearer or
more specific the obligations of the
United States to the league.
But there is no need of reserva-
tions are clear enough and specific
enough. l oppose the proposed league
not because l fail to understand what
A former member Of the Democratic
Administration has said we are being
let in for but because l believe |
understand precisely what we are be-
ing let in for. l do not want to
clarity these obligations; I want to
turn my back on them. 1t is not in
terpretation but rejection that l am
seeking. My position is that the pro-
posed league strikes deadly blow at
our constitutional integrity and sur
renders to dangerous extent our in
dependence of action. The Democratic
platform rejects this position, to quote
the exact words, as utterly vain, if
not vicious The Democratic candi-
date in his speech of acceptance has
said: a definite plan has been agreed
upon. The League OF Nations is in
operation. Senator Harding,
as the Republican candidate for the
Presidency, proposes in plain words
that we remain out of it. AS the
Democratic candidate I favor going in
stand the position of the Democratic
candidate and he understands mine, as
his own words just now quoted plain
ly show, notwithstanding the recent
pretense that my position has not been
made clear. In simple words it is:
that he favors going into the Paris
league and I favor staying out.
Il do not want any one TO be misled.
/ will have no mans vote upon a mis-
understanding, and l am equally deter
mined, if | can prevent it, that my
opponent shall have no mans vote
upon a misunderstanding. My posi-
ton, think, has been made perfectly
plain, but whether it has or not, his
position is beyond cavil, and it is that
we shall go into the Paris league with
out modification or substantial qualif-
cation. To such a betrayal of my
countrymen I will never consent. To
those who desire to incur the hazard
of intrusting any of the powers of the
Republic to the direction Of a super
government. or, If you prefer, to a
council Of foreign powers, whether the
obligation to follow the councils di-
rectors be one of legal or of moral
compulsion, I frankly say, Vote the
tect you against the consequences of
your folly.
Opinions Must Be Harmonized
Surely we have suffered enough
from the autocratic assumption of
personal wisdom which will neither
take counsel nor learn from expert
ence. To formulate plan of interna-
uonal cooperation which will contrib
ute to the security and peace Of the
world without sacrificing or danger
ously diluting our power to direct our
own actions is task of no small diff
Guilty. | should not be fit to hold the
high Office of President if l did not
frankly say that it is task which |
have no intention of undertaking alone.
There are many and conflicting opn-
ions among the people and among the
members of the Senate upon the sub
ject. These opinions must be recon
clled and harmonized II we are to have
any international association for peace
at all.
II shall not risk embarrassing the
final solution of problem so l.omcn-
tous by undertaking to lay down in
advance specific details or plans. am
III favor of our doing our full part in
the rehabilitation of the world and in
securing humanity against the horror
and tragedy of future war.
Il am in favor of America meeting
her every righteous obligation in this
respect. But L shall never present to
the Senate any compact by which we
shall in any degree surrender or leave
IN doubt the sovereign power of the
United States to determine, without the