Indiana daily times., 1920-06-29
INTEREST RAPT
AS CUMMINGS
GIVES KEYNOTE
Unqualified Stand in League
Defense and Prompt Pact
Ratification Taken.
TREATY ATTACK IS SEEN
BY DAVID STARR JORDAN.

Copyright, 1920, by international
News Service.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 29.-The
first day of the democratic conven-
ton was marked by the eloquent and
mastery keynote address of the tenn
porary chairman, Homer S. Cum
mings.
Spoken in a full, clear voice, it held
the unfagging attention of the great
audience and frequently moved it to
genuine applause.
Its salient points We're:
4 review, deservedly scathing, Of
the obstructive attitude Of the repub-
lican senatorial cahal,
statement of the effective domes-
tic legislation brought about by the
democratic party.
An account of the great achieve
ments of the war, admittedly the
work of the whole American people
under democratic leadership.
A brilliant euloGy OF the president
and his inspired world vision Of
league Of nations. together with
moving appeal TO the HeaTl OF AlueIlCd
for the keeping of the faith,
The speaker thus took unqualified
stand for the party, In defense Of the
leagu as submitted by the president
admitting no validity in the criticisms
so profusely directed against It.
LEAGUE PLANK
PREPARED.
According TO the press, the administra-
tion forces. now apparently in the lead
have prepared a platform plank. desig
mating the present league Of nations as
"the surest If not the only practical
means of maintaining the peace Of the
world and terminating the insurerable
burden Of great military and naval es-
tablishments" Cotinuing II pays a very
high tribute 10 the president for his
achievements in the war and peace.
Prompt ratification of the treaty is
demanded and with mo reservations
which would impair its essential integ
rity"
II is, however. commonly believed that
tine first serious contest IN the conven-
tion may take the form Of an attack on
this position.
Its opponents demand reservations OF
more votal character
Senator Wash Of Montana. in co-opera-
tion with Mr.. Bryan. is fearful that the
country may be entangled in an agree
ment which will deprive us OF all we
have gained through sacrifice
The proposed amendments are listed
under four heads which I may here
briefly summarize:
The United States shall make no
pledge to engage in foreign wars
nor to arbitrate questions Of vital
interests.
The nation shall be its own Judge
as TO its need Of defensive armament.
The United States shall have as
many votes in the league as any for
elgn state or empire.
1t shall accept no covenant that
endangers or impairs the Monroe doe
trine or which prevents withdrawal
from the league on proper notice
WHAT rs COVERED
BY RESERVATIONS.
The first Of these reservations covers
the much discussed Article 10.
But 1t seems almost certain that no
such clause Is necessary, as under our
constitution the country can not wage
war without positive action by con
gress
The phrase vital interests" has never
been explained. and can not he ac
cepted without exact definition.
AS to the second, he chief function Of
the league should he to bring about dis
armament and In this movement the
United States should naturally take the
lead
Regarding the third item. the pro-
posed change as to representation 10 the
assembly, in which nothing Of Importance
is decided by majority vote, involves an
impossibnitv and can be urged only TO
destroy the league; Canada. Australia,
New Zealand and South Africa sre self
governing cOmmonwealths bound 10
Great Britain by ties Of affection only.
They are already members of the
league, and can not be expelled; neither
is It possible 10 form a new world league
more accepta BILE to financial senator's.
These domiuIons are surely as well
er titled to separate voice as our own
prOteges Hawaii, Santo Domingo. Mica
rsgua and Panama.
Lastly, as to the fourth. II by the
Monroe doctrine we mean the actual pro
nouncement of Monroe TO the effect that
we would not look with favor on fur
tber conquest or colonizs ton in Americe
by European powers, that doctrine Is
fully safeguard IN the league.
WOULD PREVENT
JOINING LEAGUE.
These reservg; IONS. for The most part
individually innocuous or needless. would
MS a whole virtually prevent our entrance
into the league.
The question of wet or dry is very
real one and may lead TO an open con
test
The delegates from the Atlantic sea
board seem TO be pledged to a modifica-
tion of the Nolstead act
But the courage of the thirst has
abated somewhat since they crossed the
desert and they are satisfied with a very
slight degree of moistness.
The present alternatives are the bone
dry proposition, eloquently urged by Mr..
Bryan or absolute silence on the question.
A plank mildly facing both ways-im-
plicit obedience to the constitution, yet
with hopes of future relaxation--is un-
der discussion.
But in this matter wet is wet.
Such plank is certainly bad politics
A NTTnN AT nNNE