The Washington times., 1920-06-10

one will overcome the weight
The irreconcilables represent a
smaller fraction Of the party, II the
sentiment of the Republican voters
is accurately reflected by Republican
Senators, but the fighting spirit OF
the irreconciliables is very noticeably
superior to the enthusiasm OF the
reservationists, which probably
counts for the advantage which they
seem likely to get in the phrasing Of
the harmonizing plank.
Three Courses Open.
While we wait for definite infor-
nation as to whether it is to be a
fight or a foot race, let us consider
the political effect of the three
courses open, viz: Endorsement OF
ratification with reservations, sur
render to the irreconcilables. and
compromise. II those who supported
Senator Lodge in voting for ratifica-
ton with reservations are commend
ed the Republican party goes into the
campaign as the friend of League
of Nations.
The reservations adopted. while In
some respects Objectionable to the
President, were not such as to make
the allies unwilling to accept us on
our own terms. They much prefer
ratification with any reservations
that may be designed to postpone our
entrance into the league. 1t may be
that the league is practically worth
less without us.
So long as the United States re-
mains out, 1t is merely a renewal of
the alliance between the allies with
out many of the elements Of strength
embodied in the alliance. They know,
too, that the reservations are almost
entirely contingent and do not i'm
pair the moral strength of the cove
nant.
Fight On Article Ten.
Take for instance. article 10. which
has been the principal bone or con-
tention. Both sides insist that II can
not deny to Congress the right to de-
clare war or to refuse to declare war
One side stands for a moral obliga-
tion that cannot be legally enforced
that is, Congress must when the
time for action comes, be free to act
or to refuse to act whatever its de-
cision carries out the moral obligation
or repudiates it The other side
wants Il distinctly stated that this
obligation in no way impairs the
right of Congress to make the decis-
ion.
The difference between the two
PROPOSITIONS is not vital, and 1t would
be difficult to present 1t on the stump.
But Article X. whether 1t stand as the
President wrote II, or Is amended ia
suit Senator Lodge and his followers
cannot be called into operation until
the moral force Of the treaty Is ex-
hausted. The friends Of the treaty
believe that the machinery which II
creates makes war almost impossible
Agree on Biz Provision.
No objection has been raised to the
big provisions in the treaty, viz: In
yestisation before resort to wsr-sis
months being allowed for the investi-
CATION and three months for accept
ance or rejection of the report: pro-
vision for gradual disarmament and
the abolition Of secret treaties.
II the Republicans indorse the
league with the Lodge reservations
Republican speakers and editors car
claim credit for helping to establish
the most august tribunal ever created
in the world.
They point out the possibility OF a
rapid decrease In the cost of armies
and navies; they can promise material
relief from taxation. and they can
picture the coming Of the day when