The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-08-27
NATIONS LEAGUE
UNAVOIDABLE issue
Governor Cox Declares
1t Would Have Sta
bilized World
By HARRY L. ROGERS
International News Service Staff
COrresnondent

SOUTH BEND, Ind, Aug. 49,
With women enfranchisement thru
out the United States Governor
James M. Cox, Democratic candidate
for president, emphasized his de-
termination more than ever to make
the league of nations the supreme
issue in the 1920 campaign. In his
speech here Thursday he challenged
the Republican opposition to brine
forward an effectual alternative fol
the league, and declared, "There
isn't enough money in the world tt
stop it." He accused the Republican
leaders of being evasive, ambiguous
and hypocritical and blamed them
for the high cost of living.
"If the league of nations had been
ratified months ago." said the gov.
ernor, Exchange would have been
stabilized and then went Or to ex.
plain that the delay of senatorial
action on the peace treaty was di.
rectly responsible for the erratic
conditions of foreign exchange,
which in turn" he said, caused the
imitation of prices.
I'm fact Europe would be buying
the things we can spare. Europe
would have started it's work of re-
facilitating its countries would not
have made drain upon our food
supplies. Europe would be buying
the things of which we have at pres
ent surplus. The result of this
would be self-evident. Wa taxes
which should have been modified
or repealed when the war was over
were not touched and the Republic
can oligarchy in the senate is d.
rectly responsible. The prevalent
opinion that the way and means
committee in the house of represen-
tatives at Washington desired to
shape the laws which carry war
taxes. But the restraining hand Of
political policy was imposed by the
senatorial leaders. Business men in
this state who called upon Chairman
Penrose, came back home firm in
the opinion which they expressed
without reservation that tie senate
would take no action and that it was
impelled by a desire to continue
burdensome taxation up until 1920
unon the theory that the people
would blame the executive rather
than the congressional administra-
ton.
"The senatorial leaders occas-
sionally refer to the staggering war
debt of Europe, with a hint now and
then that it will never be paid. To
begin with the national debt in
Europe ,hsfore 1914 ran into billions
and bills{!s of dollars and they were
occasioned by the competition in the
building of ornaments. Each coun-
try kept its eye on its neighbors
and the building of warshIps by one
power meant the building of dozens.
So the existing debt would not be
nearly SO large except for the circum-
stances here. Nothing would more
reassure the world that the certain |
knowledge that every nation could |
meet its legal obligations. If the
world does not proceed to'arm itself |
to the teeth, il the cost of armament |
Is diverted to the payment of inter-
est and sinking fund on the bonded
1ebt, then there is more than a hope
hat civilization can work it's own
way out to sound footing financi-
lilly and economically"
Reiterating his statements that
he position of Democracy is def
lite and affirmative" in regard to
he league of nations, Governor
lanes Cox said it was 'our pledge to
enter the league with the least pos
'ible delay after March 4, 1921,
making such additions as are reas-
'uring and helpful"
"A call will be made" the gov
'rnor said, upon our mineral wealth
Ind our productive skill. We will
lave the ships to sail every sea; the
supply of life's essentials will then
'e equal to the demand and living
osts will be very materially reduced.
What we'd otherwise be spending
or guns and powder and ships, will
re applied to our war debt, and
.bove all, we shall be happy in the
ssurance that war is practically i'm
'ossible."
Turning to the Republic , stand
n the cost of living issue Governor
COX said it represented "at the very
est a long delay"
What project the Republicans
ave in mind as substitute for the
eague of nations" Cox said, mo
ne knows, or at least, no enc has
YER attempted to describe it or
anne it.
This question, the league of ma
ons," the governor concluded,
therefore becomes more and more
he unavoidable issue in this cam
align. For the very reason that it
wolves our safety, our economic re-
djustment and our prosperity, we
annot ignore it," II
f Ill
THE POLITICAL LAY