Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-08


their opposition TO II. before Il
league of nations, February II. an
organizing committee of twelve OF
the most .min+lit jurists in the world
was TO devise plan for the es-
tabliShmcut OF Il permanent court o!
International justice as branch OF
tile league. TEis assignment has been
concluded by unanimous action. This
augurs well TOR world progress.
The question is whether we shall
or shall not join in this practical
and humane movement. President
peace table. entered the league in
our name, IN SO far as the executive
authority permitted. Senator Hard
Ing, as the Republican candidate for
words that we remain cut of Il. AS
the Democratic candidate, favor go
ing in. Let US analyze Senator
llard!ngs plan OF making Il Ger
man American peace, and then call
ing for u new relationship among
nations assuming for the purpose
or argument only that the pcriidiuus
hand that dealt with Germany would
possess the power or influence to
draw twenty-niue nations away from
a plan already ut work ana induce
them 10 retracc every step and make
4 lew beginning.
This would entail our ar ,inting
another com mission TO assemble with
these selected by the other powers.
With the Versailles instrument dis
lions ana divisions of territory on
new lines would be rcopcned The
difficulties in this regard, rs any fair
mind appreciates. would be greater
sion. and we must not attempt TO
convince ourselves that they dil not
try the genius. patience and diplo-
macy .~jf statesmen NJ that time.
the allied triumph in war. no less
- victory was achieved at the peace
table. The Republican proposal
means dishonor, world confusion and
delay. 1t would keep us in perna-
ncnt company with Germany, Rus
STA. Turkey and Mexico. 1t would
;nta.!. N thS ultimate, more real
Democratic position on the question.
as expressed in the platform. is:
We advocate Immediate ratiica-
ton OF the treaty without rcserva-
tions which would impair its essen
acceptance OF any reservation max
Ing clearer or more specific the OBJ
legations of the United States TO the
league associates"
Ratification IL First Duty.
The first duty of the new admin
=
cation OF the treaty The matter
should be approached without thought
of TIE bitterness OF the past. The
public verdict will have been rem
dered, and / am confident that the
friends Of world peace as il will
be promoted by the league will have
III numbers tho constitutional re-
uU.s!tc to favorable senatorial action
Ihc cApiious may say that our plat
form reference to RESERVATIONS is
vague ana indefinite. Its meaning,
IN hriet: Is tina, We shall! state our
matter of good faith 10 our associates
ana as prccaGtion against any mis-
understanding In the future. The
POINT i, mat after Tie people shall
nave sroken. the league will he in
the hands OF its fcjcuds In the SEN
ate, and safe index as to what
they VIII do is suaplicd by what
reservations they have proposed in
inc past som" months ago. in a
contributed article IL the New York
IiintS, expressed my own opinion
OF the situation as it then was. l
reproduce II here:
There can be no doubt hut that
some Senators have been conscicn-
uous in thtN' desire to clarity the
provisions OF the treaty. Two things
First, they wanted 10 make sure that
the League was not 10 be an alliance
ana mat It's basic purpose was peace
and not controvcrsy Second, they
instrument 10 understand our con
sttui'onal Limits beyond which the
treat making power cannot go.
Dealing with these tSo questions in
order, ii has always seemed 10 me
;hat the Interpretation of the func-
ton Of the league might have been
stated In these words:
Peace Is Its Sole Purpose.
IN giving is assent 20 this
treaty. the Senate has in MIND the
fact that the lc0gUe OF nations which
IL ciHh"G.ca WAS devised for the sole
PGfppsc OF maintaining peace and
comfy among the nations OF the
earth and preventing III. recurrence
Of such destructive conflicts as ;hlt
through which the world has lust
PASSED IN" operation o. the
.nited states With the league and
Of VIII naturally DEPEND upon the
adherence Of tho league 10 that fund :
amcntal purpose
such declaration would ., least
express the view of the United
states and Justify tho course which
our NATION would unQucStionably fol-
low II the basic purpose OF TN,
i.hSus were at amy time distorted.
! ""mid ais" appear TO be sim :
pier matter 10 provide arains, any
ulSundorFttuding IN tho future and.
AT me snme time, I" meet The OBJ
We might he inviting a controversy
over our constitutional rii.irs i,v
making "A senatorial addition in words
something like these:
May Safeguard basic Law.
ct viii Of course he understood
I mat in carrying out the PURPOSE OF
sHc league the government OF the
United states must at all times act
IN strict harmony with the terms
ana intent OF the United states Con
, S'Iiuiipn, whlCh cannot In any way
/ ne altered by the treaty makims;
/ power "
/ unGucstioncd friends Of the lcaguc
B nave made other proposals. our
/ platform clearly lays no bar again 81
/ aHN additions that VIII be inlDfu!
! nut II speaks in n firm resolution
I 70 stand against anything that dis
! turNS inc vital principle We hcat
! ~ SAID ihat Interpretations are I'M
! necessary. That may be true, bui
! they VIII n least he rcaasLrini, Ia
! many OF our citizens. who fccI Ina
/ ~ signing the treaty there ,;houil
! b" 10 mental reservations thai arc
/ not expressed In plain words ,s :,
1 matter OF good faith TO our as.
/ socsatcS. such interpretations nos
/ sesS the further virtue OF SUNNY
! ing q base upon which arrrr,ncn,
! can he reached. and aGrccmcn,
! without INJURY TO tho covenant is
/ now OF pressing Importance. II was
! IN" drs.r" 10 cot Things sf,r,cd
/ mat prompted many members or INC
/ senate To yote for the Lndr. r,srr
| Nhlions THOSE who conscientiouslv
| voted for them In the nnal roll rH,is
. Isd..LgN, however