The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-10-04


There is q clause In our Constt-
tuition which reads that the Presi-
dent can make treaties with the
advice and consent OF two-thirds OF
the Senate and yet the league was
not presented to the Senate until
after it had been signed by the
powers abroad. Wilson then de-
manded ratification Immediately
just as It was, despite the fact that
the other nations said they were
satisfied with the reservations us
suggested by the Senate. Presl-
dent Wilson does not want to safe
guard his country! He believes
1t belongs to the world. We have
always been a good brother and
friend to other countrIes and we
can continue 10 be that using our
own judgment about so doing but
we must not be subordinated to any
nation or anybody but the will of
our own people.
Mrs. Aldrich's strongest argu.
ment against the League came
when she said in substance:
The League OF Nations is at
present in full force abroad. Twen.
ty-nine nations have signed 1t, only
the United States among the tuI-
portant' powers invited to sign re-
fusing. 1t is being tested out right
now and nation has risen against
nation and those who have signed
are fighting. Already &c wars
have been fought. The League Of
Nations has done everything it
could, but not war has It Pre-
vented, not a peace has 1t made
It's great pjCy-tor It was orig
q = n
and has failed. II 20 nations havo
failed how can one more signature
alter the entire outlook? What is
more-when Lloyd George was ask
ed by Poland for men and re.
sources he said: England and
France have no resources nor men
to spare and the United States has
not signed" 1t is with our men
and our money they would fight the
worlds battles. Just because We
have more men and more money
Is no reason why we should put
ourselves ut their disposal They
can find eXCuEes for failing TO car
ry out their moral and pledged OBJ
legations, because they did not
want the League in the first place
in connection with the treaty or
peace. They say the League OF
Nations is an American issue-not
theirs! Right now our soldiers
would have been in Poland, our
boys scattered everywhere, had we
signed. Furthermore, the Socialist
party is pledged to work with the
Soviet government of Russia and
! today land have studied this
. thoroughly both here and abroad
! there are more than million
: a. ln1g f5fa tt, hi
waiting, waiting-for the signal to
precipftate n revolution here. They
! plan to call n country wide strike
/ yet again, 10 paralyze business,
seize government buildings, kill OF.
fiCials. release and arm prisoners,
Kill all wealth both men and prop
| erty-and they believe that in few
! days they can overthrow and take
| possession Of our government. We
| know they cannot but even the at
| tempt will cost us muchi II we
were IN war with Russia and our
armies were over there-what an
! opportunity for the BolshevistS
here! If we had signed the League
of Nations and we're bound by hon.
! or TO send troops all over this
world, as needed. how can we even
! guess at tho entanglements to fol-
| low!
Mrs. Aldrich explained how tho
| sunreme authority OF the League
would be vested in a Council of
eight foreigners and one Amerl-
can. Eight foreign men and one
| American!
She said tensely, eyes smolder.
ing: By the relentless demand OF
President Wilson this thing has
haaU fOrced UD0n ia DOw ag an is.
| sue and we must decide between
honest Democrats and Republicans
both. There are many who DO not
oven sense the dangers OF League
! of Nations. The Republican plat.
| form says It stands for the League
in so far as It does not impair tho
constitution. The Democratic plat
form Is pledged 10 the League as It
stands. The Republican party
| seeks to make the League subser-
Went to the United States. The
Democratic party would make the
United States suhservient to the
League. One is for country first
and then the world. The other Is
for the world first and then for
country.
President Wilson argues that
we must accept the League In or
der TO keep faith with the world.
Was II keeping faith with the world
when we refused to protect Amerl-
can citizens In Mexico and yet med
died with internal Mexican affairs? :?
Was 1t keeping faith when we VIC.
lated our treaty with Belgium?
president Wilson kept us out Of
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