The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-24
HARDING AND THE LEAGUE.

that the peace treaty and the League
of Nations covenant shall be ratified
without the dotting of an 'i'' or the
crossing of a It." Republicans seem
willing to give the president what he
has called for. The nomination of
Harding may be regarded as an ac-
ceptance of the issue.
In advocating the adoption not only
of reservations but amendments to the
peace treaty. so as ito write into the
text the things that America is think
ing" Senator Harding said during an
extended speech September II last:
Every day of discussion, presiden-
tial utterGnces included, and every
hour of study combine to persuade me
tina. ne League of Nations venture in
the form in which the covenant has
been nego.'nted is one of / eril to the
republic. To accept it unaltered
would be a betrayal of America.
such impressions as 1 wish to Of
fer are the very simple ones of an
American who is jealous of the repub-
lies nationality and fears paralysis in
that internationally which is the
leagues Hottest aim. Submerged ma
tionality and supreme Internationally
are more to be expected than the pro-
claimed permanency of peace, which
first caught the sympathy and support
of the peace loving world.
IT must confess, senators, 1 could
find no fault with the presidents go
ing to the peace table. The world had
never seen before such an opportunity
for service, and I thought it fitting
that the first citizen of the republic
should go and utter the unbiased ad-
vice of America amid the embitter-
ments and prejudices that had grown
out of twenty centuries of European
conflict I do not share the criticism
that he invited no members of this
body, which must approve every
treaty to which this republic is com
mitted. I do complain that in this
most extraordinary and unparalleled
wreck in the wake of world wide war
he consented to counsel and advise
with none who have sworn duties to
perform, and devoted, essentially
alone, his talents and his supreme in
fluence to reformations and restitu-
/ tons, and the establishments of gov
ernments and the realizations of am
i billions and the fulfilment of dreams
which human struggles and battling
peoples and heroic sacrifices have not
! effected since the world began, and
never will be realized until that mil
lennial day that marks the beginning
/ of heaven upon earth. The situation
presented intensely practical problems
and he chung mainly to lofty theories.
ut is my deliberate conviction that
the League of Nations covenant, as
negotiated at Paris and signed at YER
sailles. either creates a super-goYern-
ment of the nations which enter it or
it will be the colossal disappointment
of the ages. Tho it would be vastly
more serious as the former, cannot
believe that this republic ought to
sanction it in either case. Why pro-
claim a promise that will embitter the
worlds disappointment?
Does any thinking man stop to
measure the colossal and. endless in
volvement before which the sublimest
uLSGilASIluSSS anu AlOoN SOiAAAoCiiI IL
truism must falter? Contemplate for
moment only the mandatory for Ar
menia. Our armies-sons from
this republic, the youths from Amer
lean homes-are wanted there. Ar
menia calls and Great Britain is urg-
! ing, insisting. More American soldiers
for Armenia than we heretofore MAIN
tanned under the flag in any of the
years of peace. Answer the call and
we station this American army at the
gateway between the Orient and Oc-
cident to become involved in every
conflict in the old world, and our
splendid isolation becomes a memory
and our boosted peace a rnockery.
This is not the way to make peace.
This is the avenue to unending war.
mo one questions the lofty aims of
President Wilson. no one would hin
der consistent endeavor for all desir-
able attainment. No one opposes be-
cause the American participation is ex-
clusively Wilsonian or because the COW
enant is of British conception. It is
the covenant itself and the effect of
our committal which calls for consid-
/
Grafton.
! Il mean to vote for the amendments
proposed by the committee. They
ought to be accepted. If the president
is correct in declaring that the pro-
posed reservations will send the treaty
back, then amendments will not I'M
duly delay. Suppose there is delay.
Civilized peoples are not supposed TO
move unthinkingly in creating the sur
passing covenant of all ages.
1T is well to do any job right. 1t
is imperative to do mighty job right.
especially when II involves the fate of
all civilization. II the world is to start
all over it ought to start with the
square deal The treaty has not writ
ten it; the square deal was reserved
! for informal rnvnn1aG ,,f%ara,J t.