New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-27
Misrepresentation

is published a letter concerning
the League of Nations by one who
has a right to speak. The author,
Mr.. c. A. Quiri, gave two sons to
the war, one of whom did not re-
turn, and he writes with great force
and manifest sincerity.
Family grief in his case, as in
thousands of others, was assnaged
by the belief that a contribution had
been made to the realization of the
great hope Of the world-that out
of the conflict was to arise league
of nations to make less likely q
similar tragedy coming to future
generations. This high purpose
ennobled and energized the soldiers
OF the Allies-was at the bottom of
their superb morale, no matter from
what land they came. Bitter the
feeling engendered by perceiving
that after winning the war against
war the fruits of victory have not
been secured. In all this The
Tribune, it is hardly necessary to
say, is in hearty accord with it's
correspondent. His thoughts and
feelings are also it's own.
But for the great ineptitude our
correspondent locates the blame
where to us it seems it does not
lodge. He Indignantly ascribes re-
sponsibility to the Senate and
charges that the Presidential candi-
date of the Republican party has
repudiated the league principle.
Whence is this conclusion derived?
Nothing in the Republican platform
warrants such accusation, nor in
the recent speech Of Mr.. Harding.
The platform declares for an asso-
citation of nations in the interest of
peace, and Mr.. Harding, who voted
twice for entry into a league, be-
gins his speech by denying any de-
sire to hold aloof.
1t is Of course true that the Dem
ocratic press asserts there is such
reputation. But when did it be-
come customary to accept at face
value the campaign appeals of par
tisan newspapers touching the in
tentions of their opponents? 1t is
also true that Messrs. johnson and
Borah detect such reputation. But
they are interested in a seeming per-
sonal vindication. The only way to
get at the truth is to go to the orig
inal documents and not to rely on
what those with a special interest
may say.
This country is not in the league
because one man who happened to
possess the power to prevent action
would not allow US to join. The sub
ject is too important to be considered
from party standpoint. The Trib-
une believes itself free from par
tlsan bias when it declares that
it cannot resist the evidence which
shows that this country is outside
the league, not because of the at
titude of Mr.. Harding or his asso-
ciates, but because of the attitude
of another.
The Republican party is for a
league, and has so recorded itself.
Not without betrayal of his pledges
can Mr.. Harding wrap himself in
the cloak of national isolation. The
truth is, disregarding rhetorical
surplusages, the two platforms are
much alike touching the league
matter. The Republican platform is
for an association of nations within
the limits of the Constitution such as
our associates will agree to. The
San Francisco platform is for a
league within the limits of the Con-
stitution, and with such reservations
as our allies will accept. The diff
ference, as has been repeatedly noted
in these columns, is but microscopic.
Let our correspondent pay no at