Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-06-11

AMrANINGLEss PLANE.

the Republican party has put into its
platform is very unlike the Republican
party Of old. Men hav been ac-
customed TO look to the Republicans
for something definite; a firm stand
on we'll defined principles. There was
no clubbing as to where the Repub-
lican party stood on the questions of
slavery: there was no doubt about the
Republican stand on the protective
tariff issue; on the issues of Imperial
ism, gold standard and other great
questions that have arisen in the past,
there was no doubt as to the
Republican party's attitude. The party
OF Lincoln, Mckinley and Roosevelt
never had any explaining TO do. That
was the forward-looking party. 1t
was not afraid to tackle something
new: there was no doubt about
America being able TO hold her own
with any nation that existed.
But what d change when one con-
slders the League OF Nations plank in
the platform the Republicans have
just adopted at Chicago-the only real
issue in the present campaign If
Senator Lodges keynote speech is to
be accepted as such. There are many
words setting forth certain g%eneralities
to which everybody can subscribe, but
one looks in vain for any real policy or
definite purpose.
The plank begins with the statement
that the Republican party stands for
agreement among the nations to pre-
serve the peace of the world" SO
does every rightminded man; such an
agreement among nations has been the
dream Of the common people Of all
races for ages. Slowly but surely
civilization has been working toward
that very thing.
There have been various inter
national courts of arbitration; the
great peace tribunal at The Hague was
set up and various international rules
and agreements were entered into
all with the idea of preventing war
or, at least, Of removing many of the
horrors of a
Then came the greatest war of all.
Never had such horrors for killing
human beings been known before. 1t
was evident that something stronger
than previous international courts and
agreement was necessary.
But how is an agreement between
nations, which the Republicans say
they favor, to be brought about unless
the leaders of all the nations assemble
and arrive at some conclusions? That
is what took place at Paris in 1918.
After six months Of debate and argu-
ment trying to arrive at conclusions
that could be subscribed to by all, the
covenant of League OF Nations was
promise. 1t was not perfect. 1t did
not suite everyone. But it was the
best that could be done for a start. II
was a decided step in advance ovei
what had been dom along this line be-
fore. 1t was the first real beginning
of what the world had been dreaming
of for centuries; it was what civiliza'
tion had been working for. This
League of Nations embodied the very
idea that had been advocated by sucf
prominent Republicans as Senator
Lodge himself.
To be sure every nation assumed
certain responsibilities and a certain
amount of independence of action wa;
taken away. but the history of the
world shows that progress has been
based on this very thing, The un-
civilized tribes Of the ancient period
were the only truly Independent ma
will-but even they were subjected
TO the VIII of the tribe that could over
power them. As civilization advanced
treaties were made and every treaty
between nations has tended to curl
the independence Of the nations max
ing the treaty.
The Republican party would hav'
an agreement among nations TO pre-
serve the peace of the world, but whel
an opportunity IS offered to enter int
such an agreement-an agreemen
that has already been accepted b!
practically every other civilized coun
try-the Republicans reject it.
To throw this opportunity down nov
will mean that another century mus
pass with untold loss in blood an(
treasure before SO favorable an oppor
tunity is offered again.
The reason the Republicans hav,
taken this petty narrow stand is be
cause the League of Nations is largel.
the work of q Democratic President
To such an ignominious position ha
the once Grand Old Party reduced 1t
self. And it is on such a platform tina
the Republicans go before the en-
49,