South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-07-26
Other Editors Than Ours
AN HONEST NON-PARTISAN VIEW OF TWO
PLATFORMS ON LEAGUE.
(Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

The Christian Work is the famous inter-
church periodical published in this country and it
approaches public problems from the moral point
or view. Its editor is "A republican-and this makes
all the more impressive his analysis of the two
platforms on the League Of Nations. In view Of
the disgusting twaddle with which Mr. Taft try
ing to convince supporters of the league that the
Chicago platform declared for something that il
expressly declared against after a struggle The
Christian Works analysis Of the meaning of the
republican plank is important and will make
an impression on all who anxious to get a non
partisan view of whatehas really happened Here
follows the editors on the republican
J. latform:
"This action was great surprise even to
most republicans. The disappointment is re-
hected throughout the press of the nation. II
had been hoped by most republicans that the
convention would have endorsed the league
with Sen. Lodges reservations. or similar ones
But Sens. Johnson and Borah, the leaders of
the bitter-enders. carried the day and Sen
Lodge joined them in putting the party I'M
qualihedly against the league. Mr.. Johnson
rightly claims it his victory. The New York
Tribune still thinks that the plank leaves room
for candidate who believes in the United
States entering the league with reservations to
the ratification of the present treaty.
But this is only born of disappointment-a for
lorn grasp at something to save the situation
A cursory reading OF the plank settles the mat
ter. While the plank Hedges the United States
to be ready TO humanity when the call
comes always the United States shall be Judge
TO whether IL is a call not) il explicitly
and violently condemns the present league bag
and baggage and says absolutely nothing about
joining the league even with the sthest
reservations or amendments And yet the state
ment is almost word for word that used by the
advocates Of a league long before the present
war. The statesmen interested in fulfilling this
ideal--most of those from America eminent re-
publicans such men Mr.. Taft, Mr. Marburg
DR.. Lowell and Mr.. HoIt-got together in 1914
American, British and French being in
harmony the fundamental things and wrote
constitution of a League OF Nations. embody-
ing the aspirations of the peoples which were
rising everywhere. AS said. these aspra-
lions were just those in the republican plank.
The league framed by these men met with
general approval from all the world. The re-
publican leaders praised it, The Paris league
is Practically the same league. only il is not
quite radical But it is the best league posi-
Bile for beginning and is just what the re-
publicans ask for in their plank. And it is the
only possible way Of getting just those things
demanded in the first paragraph. There is not
the slightest doubt in any impartial mind that
had not Mr.. Wilson advocated il and signed IT,
it would have been perfectly satisfactory TO
most of the republican leaders. to whom it was
satisfactory before the war"
There is not single word here that is not alb
solutey true and beyond dispute 1t is a damnini
indictment and deserved. The Chicago platform
dictated by Hiram Johnson is against any League
Of Nations. He made his fight against amy League
of Nations with or without reservations" and ever,
paper in the United States the Associated Press
the United Press. and every solitary correspondent
writing for any parer all proclaimed after tn
adoption of the platform that johnson Triumphs
Ii requires something of audacity for Mr.. Tai
TO attempt a denial of the record which is spreaC
out in plain English for any intelligent man to reaC
and understand.
Turning now to this republican editors discussion
OF the democratic declaration on the platform W
find:
The paragraph containing the positive
stand immediate ratification expresses the
view believe the vast majority OF the
people of the United States, both republicans
and democrats. II simply calls for the United
States do what practically all the nations
in the world doing (32 nations in
the league and Germany will probably be in
before the year is up) join the family of
nations that has come irresstibly and inevita-
bly, as the logical outcome Of a that has
done the world nearly 10 death-the family OF
nations which promises 10 adjust its dis
putes amicably. set up "a supreme court OF
tons curb the criminal nation in any attempt
10 take justice into his own hands attempt
gradual disarmament. and put the
welfare of humanity above national ambitions
And in this demand il plainly states the will
ingness for such reservations rs may i'm
pair our functoning a world Iower in the
great family OF nations. Here is the Issue now
before the country plainly stated-ether this
selfish isolation. We advocate the imme-
date ratification OF the treaty without
tons which would impair its essential integrity
but do not oppose the acceptance OF any res
ervations making clearer specific the
obligations OF the United States TO the league
associates Only by doing this
hope aid effectively in the restoration OF
der throughout the world and 10 take the place
spiritual commercial and industrial advance
ment"
Here IS at least one honest non-partisan. discu.
or the meaning OF the two platforms on IN
religious paper of inter-church character put
Iished in America and by editor who is a