Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-06-11
Again the Arful DotIycr

again the Artful Dodgcr
Out of tho chaos of dissension centerng
~ about the league of nations plank at tho
Chicago convention has come n compro-
mise so adroit that the threatened rending
OF the party ranks apparently has been
arcrtcd. What seemed an impasse twenty
four hours ago has been overcome under
the direction of the fine Italian hand OF
Clihu Root and the factions can go before
the people at least outwardly united. 1t
Is contamination that was hardly ex-
pected by the party leaders themselves and
they are correSpondingly gratiiicd that there
is TO be no bolt. But the people will not
be fooled by the desperate lodging to
which they have been forced to resort to
escape II repetition of the 1912 disaster
The league of nations plank as finally
submitted To the convention seems to be
victory for everybody. n defeat for nobody
acceptable to all. Objectionable to none 1t
is so evasive that IL means nothing and II
Will have It's own Interpretation during the
campaign as the party leaders may believe
tic political eNigencies require.
Its communication OF the Senate for re-
fusing to ratify the treaty is victory for
Lodge and his following who defeated the
treaty.
Its statement that any future league must
be in accord with American ideals and the
principles Of Washington may mean any
thing and ii may mean nothing. If it means
anything, il is that the league OF nations
would be ditched forever and resort had TO
the old system OF alliances and balance OF
power which resulted directly in the world
The plank satisfies those who want
some sort of league. just as it satisfies
those who want none, and it gives no offcnse
to those who do not care one way or the
other In brief. it is a plank on which any
one can stand, interpreting it in accord with
his pleasure.
Most Of ALL the plank is a victory for
Hiram johnson, whose demand for repudi-
alton is almost met. 1t does not mean
however, that Johnson has whipped the Old
Guard and is ready to seize the nomina-
ton. 1t may point rather to his elimina-
ton candidate after the first few
ballots have demonstrated his inability to
win. Throughout his campaign, johnson
has reiterated that the triumph of his fight
ngans: the league meant more to him than
his nomination Possibly the Old Guard
has taken him at his word. 1t is not i'm
probable that in yielding to him on the
league and preventing his threatened holt
they have tied up his support for II candi-
date, perhaps Knox, or some other accepta-
BILE to the Old Guard and the Interests
If he has made his peace with the old-lino
four years for another chance.
The remainder OF the platform is in line
with the league plank not adroit for
there was not so much ut stake, but equally
cvasivc and meaningless. On prohibition il
is silent, on labor, the high cost Of living
taxation, soldier bonus, farmers. national
economy, international trade and tariff, tho
merchant marine free speech and national
ization. on down through the long list Of
subjects which have demanded more or less
thoughtful attention from the public, 1t has
again proved itself the artful dodgcr of pol
tiles On three things only it seems to
know definitely where it stands. They are:
its bitter enmity to the President and the
democracy for which he stands; Mexico,
with which It apparently wants war. and on
woman suffrage, which is practically accom-
plishcd
And this is the platform on which the
Republican party expects to ride into power
in November!