The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1920-09-17

istration, that no power on earth could
induce me to do, that | cannot even
attempt to recount them. | may re.
mark casually, however, that il I
should be, as / fully expect to be,
elected President of thl Is just and hon.
orable republic, will not empower an
assistant secretary Of the navy to draft
a constitution for helpless neighbors
in the West Indies and jam it down
their threats at the point OF bayonet
borne by United States Marines. We
have a higher service for our gallant
Marines than that. Nor will misuse
the power of the executive to cover
with a veil of secrecy repeated acts
of unwarranted interference in domes-
tic affairs of the little republics of the
western hemisphere such as in the past
few years have not only made enemies
OF those who should be our friends,
but have, rightfully discredited our
country as their trusted neighbor.
"On the other hand will not, or
shall not, as you prefer, submit to any
wrong against any A merican citizen,
with respect to either his life or his
property by any government. This
statement is made in all solemnity,
with enmity for none and friendship
for all. If it particularly applies to
Mexico the application has been
directed by the robbery and murder OF
hundreds of our own people in that
unhappy country who were lawfully
there and were entitled to protection.
One must admit that these outrages
upon Americans are largely the con
sequences of the wiggling and wob-
bling, the supine waiting of our own
government, though tn admission
neither helps the hurt nor gives the
hope of security for the future while
the present administration remains in
power, or when one In complete &C.
cord succeeds it.
This admonition is not directed ex.
clusively toward our next door neigh
Dor to whom We would gladly hold
forth helping hand, and whom pri
marily, certainly in preference to far
off peoples in Europe, Asia and AT
RIGA, 1t is our manifest duty to serve
with whole heart and generous toll
erance. 1t is intended for plain no.
tice to every government ON the face
Of the earth that the entire resources
of this nation are pledged to maintain
the sacredness of American lives and
the just protection of American prop.
critics.
"The Xne of demarcation between
our attitude and that of our political
opponents is perfectly plain. The
President has made his position clear
by his acts no less than by his words.
Twice there came to him an opportu.
nifty to obtain ratification at the hands
OF the Senate and twice he put the op.
portunity aside, because he would not
accept reservations designed solely to
safeguard American rights. He still
holds Article 10 to be the heart of the
covenant. So does the Democratic
platform. So does the Democratic
nominee. To assume that the nominee
would accept the reservations rejected
by the President and denounced by the
party platform is to impugn his integ.
rity. TO insinuate, as those who in
proclaiming themselves for the Demo.
cratic candidate and the league with
reservations do insinuate that he
would pursue such G. course in seeking
ratification Is not to pay him compli.
ment but rather to challenge his sin.
certify. For myself, l do not question
for moment the truth of what the
Democratic nominee says on this sub.
ject He has lately said he is In
favor of going In on the basis an.
nounced by the President. | am not
That Is the whole difference between
US. but 1t is most vital one, because
1t involves the disparity between q
world court of justice supplemented by
a world association for conference on
the one hand, and the council of the
league on the other.
The difference between court OF
international justice and the council
created by the league covenant Is sim
pie, but profound.
THE one Is a judicial tribunal to be
governed by fixed and definite princi
pies of law administered without pas
sion or prejudice. The other is an as
ISOLATION of diplomats and politicians
whose determinations are sure to be
influenced by considerations of expedi
ency and national seltishness.
Il do not mean to ", nor do mean
to permit any such construction, that
| would decline to cooperate with 9th
er nations In an honest endeavor to
prevent wars. Nobody living would
take that position. The only question
is one Of method or OF practicability