Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-17
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MARYLAND and Virginia,
All Other States.
Heart or Vermiform Appendix?

:. Heart or Vermiform Appendix!
The only clean-cut verdict in re-
spect to a world league of nations
which American voters can render on
November is that of guilty or not
guilty in the case of the. Versailles
covenant, now on trial. That par
ticular covenant has been condemned
by the Senate and new trial and re-
versing verdict are sought by the
democratic party with the American
people as final arbiters in a presiden-
tial election referendum.
The only issue between the parties
respecting a league that is clearly
joined is that above indicated. The
administration declarations and acts
preceding and following the Senate's
verdict, and the contradictory decla-
rations of partisan policy on this sub
ject by the party platforms show
clearly that this is the only issue un-
mistakably Joined.
The campaign declarations of the
presidential candidates are not intend
ed to alter and cannot alter this issue
between the parties. Mr.. Cox has de-
everything he can to bring the United
States into the Versailles league, with
clarifying reservations determined by
conference with the Senate. He will
be for the Versailles covenant as it
stands and will assent reluctantly only
to that minimum of change in it
which will secure it's ratification by
two-thirds of the Senate of the next
Congress.
: Supplementing the league declara-
ton of party policy in the republican
platform Mr.. Harding announces that
IL he is elected he will do all ne can
TO keep the United States out of the
Versailles league; that hS vote as SEN
ator for that covenant with the Lodge
reservations will not commit him in
the slightest to that position if as
President he is intrusted with the exec
utive's share Of the treaty-making
power. He is not for the Versailles
league with reservations, but is
against that league absolutely and I'M
qualif1edly in its spirit and essence,
and he Is especially hostile to such
vital provisions as article x, the
heart" Of the league. If elected he
will be for such relations with our as.
sociates in winning the war and in
making a just and enduring peace as
will differ radically from the Versailles
pact, and will, SO far as his influence
prevails, retain only such provisions
Of that pact as are necessary or dis
tinctly helpful to secure the acqui-
escence Of our associates in war and
of two-thirds Of the Senate or of a
majority of both houses Of the new
Congress.
Evidently the new President win
not be an exponent OF the one-man
form Of government. There will be no
Cox league or Harding association.
Whoever is elected. he will obviously
perform only the executives constitu-
tional functions in .war-making. peace
making and treaty-making in hearty
cooperation with the legislative branch
Of government.
II the republicans elect the new gov.
they will be under bond, for instance
to cut out article x in form, in sub
stance and In spirit from the new
agreement as to future peace-promot
ing relations with our associates in
winning the war.
II article x is, in truth, the heart
Of the Versailles pact, to cut it out
will kill this pact, and our new gov
eminent will be in no mood to attempt
to revive a corpse by blood transfu
sion.
But many thousands of Americans
republican and democratic, believe
that article X is not the heart of the
league, but only its diseased vermi
form appendix, whose removal, in
stead of killing. will tend to restore to
reasonable health the Versailles
league; unless, indeed, the disease has
tainted other organs dixie adjacent ar
ticle KID, SO that it, too, must be cut
out. perhaps hopelessly Gripping or
even killing the patient.
Will the association of nations to
make just and enduring peace with
Germany and to promote peace always
and everywhere utilize and retain
much, little or nothing of the Yer
sailles league? Is article y the heart
Of the Versailles league or only its
vermiform appendix?
The November vote may be of a
character to forecast broadly what the
answer to these questions will be, but
definite and precise answer will not
be given until it is worked out by the
new executive and the new national
legislature. cooperating in the manner
directed by the Constitution.