Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1920-06-16

essential to our own honor ana self-re-
speet and the respect of other nations
SupJect TO due regard for international
oollsauons, we should leave our country
free 10 develop its civilization along lines
most conducive to the welfare and hap
plness or the people, and to cast it's in
huenee on the side of Justice and right
should occasion require.
Inc republican party stands for agree
ment among the nations who preserve
the peace of the world We believe that
such an International association must be
paseo upon International justice and
must provide methods which shall main
tain the rule of public right by the de-
velopment of law and the decision of i'm
partial courts, and which shall secure
instant and general international confer
ence whenever peace shall be threatened,
80 that the nations pledged to do and in
sist upon what Is just and fair NAV exer
else their Influence and power for the
prevention of the war. We believe that
az TINS can be done without the compro-
mise OF national independence, without
depriving the people of the United States
IN advance OF the right to determine for
themselves what is Just and fair when
the occasion arises, and without invoIv-
ing them as participants, and not as
peacemakers in a multitude OF onarreis
judge. sso "''e W
Mexico.
Inc ineffective policy of the present
administration In Mexican matters has
Deen largely responsible for the con-
country and upon our border; for the
enormous loss of American and for
elgn property; for the lowering of
american standards of morality and So
clal relations with Mexicans, and for
the bringing of American ideals of ius-
tSce and national honor and political in
tegrlty into contempt and ridicule in
Mexico and throughout the world.
Written Protests Decried.
The policy Of wordy, futile, written
protests against the acts of Mexican
ofhcials, explained the following day by
the president himself as being meaning
less and not intended to be considered
seriously or in force, has but added In
degree TO that contempt, and has earned
Tor US the sneers and teers of Mexican
bandits, and added insult upon insult
against our national honor and dignity.
we should not recognize any Next
can government unless IL be a RESPONSE
Die government willing and able to give
sunlclent guarantees that the lives and
rights or American citizens are respected
ana protected; that wrongs will be
promptly corrected and Just compensa-
ton will be made for injury sustained.
The Republican party pledges itself TO
q consistent, firm and effective policy
toward Mexico that shall enforce respect
for the American flag and that shall
liButs VI flU6TlCdn CltlZeUS
lawfully In Mexico to security of life
and enjoyment of property In accord
ance with established principles of inter-
national law and our treaty rights.
The Republican party is the sincere
friend OF the Mexican people. In it's in
sistence upon the maintenance Of order
Tor the protection Of American citizens
within its borders a great service will
be rendered the Mexican people them
selves. for the continuation Of present
conditions means disaster to their inter-
ests and patriotic aspirations.
Mandate for Armenia.
We condemn President Wilson for ask
ing congress to empower him to accept
q mandate for Armenia. We commend
the Republican senate for refusing the
presidents request to empower him to
accept mandate for Armenia. The
acceptance of such mandate would throw
the United States into the very mael-
strom of European quarrels. According
to the estimate of the Harbord commits
sion organized by authority of President
Wilson. We would be called upon to send
$500 American boys to police Armenia
and to expend s276, 900 in the first year
and s756, 100000 in five years. This es-
innate is made upon the basis that We
would have only rowing bands 10 fight,
but in case of serious trouble with the
Turks or with Russia, force exceed
ing 100000 would be necessary.
Disregard of Life Claimed.
No more striking illustration can be
found of President Wilson's disregard
of the lives of American boys or OF
American interests
We deeply sympathiZe with the peo-
pie of Armenia and stand ready TO help
them in all proper ways, but the Re
publican party will oppose now and mere
after the acceptance of a mandate for
any country in Europe or Asia.
Fer Association of Nations.
The Republican party stands for agree
ment among the nations to preserve the
such an international association must
be based upon international justice and
provide methods which shall maintain
the rule of public right by the develop,
courts, and which shall secure instant and
general international conference when
ever peace shall be threatened, so that
the nations pledged to do and insist upon
influence and power for the prevention
We believe that all this can be done
without the compromise of national inde-
Of the United States In advance of the
right TO determine for themselves what
is just and fair when the occasion arises
and without involving them as partci-
titude of quarrels the merits of which
they are unable to judge.
The covenant signedsby the president
at Paris failed signally to accomplish this
great purpose and contains stipulations
not only intolerable for independent
people but certain to produce the In
justice, hostility and controversy among
nations which II proposed to prevent.
Praises Senators Actions.
That covenant repudiated to a degree
wholly unnecessary and unjustifiable the
me-honored policy in favor OF peace de.
clared by Washington and Jefferson and
Monroe and pursued by all American ad;
minstrators for more than century, and
II ignored the universal sentiment OF
America for generations past In favor OF
International law and arbitration and II
rested the hope of the future upon mere
expedients and negotiations.
The unfortunate insistence Of the
president upon having his own way
without any change and without any
regard to the opinions OF the majority
Of the senate, which shares with him
the treaty making power, and the pres.
be ratified without any modification
created situation in which senators
were required to vote upon their con-
sciences and their oaths according tC
their Judgment against the treaty as
II was presented or submit to the COM
mand of a dictator in a matter where
the authority and responsibility under
the Constitution were theirs and not
his
Tho senators performed their duties
faithfully. We approve their conduct
and honor their courage and fidelity
and we pledge the coming Republican
administration to such agreement with
the other nations of the world as shall
meet the full duties OF America to CIV