Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-10-15
the AYP0CRICY OF the REPUBLICAN
ATTITUDE TOWARD The lEA6UE.

Let us briefly analyZc the facts as
to how and when the idea Of
League of Nations. TO insure world
peace. originated in this country.
In the first place the fact should
be understood clearly and kept in
mind from now to election day that
the idea did not originate with Pres
idcnt Wilson.
Ii WAS evolved by IN organization
known as the League To EnEurc,
Peace. of which William Howard
Taft. formerly Republican Prr>i-
dent of the United States, MAS and
still i, president.
The propaganda in favor Of Il
League Of Nations WAS started by
the League to Enforce Peace. early
in The World War. long before the
United States entered the war and
several Years before President Viii
son gave public expression Of his
views on the subject.
In the language of craftsmanship
the League to Enforce Peace. of
which former Republican preSl-
dent of the United States WAS Pre>i-
dent and Of which great majority
OF the leading members were Re-
publicanS. "sold' the League OF
Nations idea TO President Wilson.
And mark you well. that long be-
fore President Wilson took his first
step toward binding the nations OF
the world together in League to
prevent future wars he had the posi-
tive assurance of the two most in
tlucntial Republican leaders in the
country-Theodore Roosevelt and
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. the Re
publican leader of the Senate
that they not OIL! thoroly believed
In the League of Nations principle,
but in exactly that form of League
OF Nations which he forced the
other nations TO accept at Prais and
which is now the chief issue in the
Presidential campaign.
When President Wilson went to
the peace conference Lodge had
been made chairman of the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations.
Up TO that time neither Roosevelt
no rl.odgc had withdrawn their as
surancc Of support for the League
of Nations.
Roosevelt died without withdraw
ing MS assurance: Lodge only with
drew his after the Presidents sue
cess made ii necessary for him TO
40 so for political reasons.
The knitting of the treaty and
League of Nations covenant by Sen
ator Lodge for political reasons,
after he had encouraged President
Wilson to negotiate it. is one of the
most shameful chapter in American
history.
In an address at Union College.
June 9. 1915, two years before the
United States entered the war, Scna-
tor Lodge said:
1.-THE great nations must be so
united as 10 be able to say TO any
single country. you must not 20 to
War, and they can only say that
effectively when the country de-
Slrlng war knows that the force
when the united nations place
behind peace is irresistible
III may seem utopian at this mo-
ment TO suggest a union Of civil
IZed nations in order to put a
controlling force behind the
maintenance Of peace and inter
national order but il is along
thlS path that we must travel if
we arc TO attain in any measure
TO The end we all desire of peace
upon earth"
Roosevelt. in October. 1914. in an
article in the New York Times. had
already written that the great civ
iliZcd nations of the world, which
do possess force, either actual or DO
tcntIal. should continue by solemn
agreement in great world League
for the peace of righteousness"
In May, 1916. Senator Lodge. with
out qualification, indorscd The pro-
gram OF the League to Enforce Peace
by saying:
Il know how quickly we shall
pc met with the statement that
ms is Il dangerous question
winch YOU are putting into your
agreement; that no nation can
submit to the judgement of other
nations: and we must be careful
at me beginning not to attempt
TOO much. know the difficulties
winch arise when we speak of
anything which seems TO involve
an alliance.
But do moi believe that when
washington warned us against
changing alliances he meant
'or one moment that We should
mo' JON with other civilized ma
IONS OF The world, if a method
coulh he found 10 diminish war
ana encourage peace.
hr WH N pOiuninry 0rbi-
Tn!oH mas, Mink. brcn rruch-
ru ihinE ne meat step is
WhH ms L"dDHc proposes. ana
hNI rs 10 PM force behind Lnicr.