Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-10-09
ANSWERS WILSON

ANSWERS WILSON
Continued from pass oas)
contested sector Of the league night.
In all Of his Missouri speeches he also
praised tho service Of Senator Spen-
Ger ana asked that he Be reelected.
The arrival in Kansas City was late
in the afternoon and the senator rode
to hotel for dinner through crowds
that kept up . wave Of cheering along
his path. Leaving Immediately after
his night address he will arrive at
wichita, Kas., for . forenoon meet
ing. and At Oklahoma City. Okla. for
an address tomorrow night.
The invasion Of Poland
In his convention hall speech tonight
the nominee cited the invasion of Po-
land as an example Of the complica-
tons into which he said the United
states easily could be drawn under
Article X. He referred to Great Bri
tain's failure to furnish aid to the lit
tie republic and said he would not
look with satisfaction on any such
failure BY this nation if 1t were
league member.
The statement which the President
made to the country day or two ago"
said Senator Harding, emphasizes his
inf1exlbIe determination to secure the
adherence OF the United States to the
league precisely as the covenant is
written. We know from authoritative
sources that the mind of the Demo-
cratic candidate and that of the Dem
ocratic President are in perfect ac-
cord. We assume, therefore. thi.N the
PRESIDENT speaks for the candidate
and announces the policy which he
will follow if elected
Quotes President
In the Presidents statement the
people are told the elections are to be
a genuine national referendum and
they are to instruct their government
what they wish done So tar as the
league is concerned he says the ques
ton which their votes will answer Is:
Do they wish the treaty Of Versailles
ratified. and do they-I quote his ex-
act words-in particular approve Of
the League of Nations as organized
and empowered in that treaty.
Those VINO oppose the treaty in
its present torm-and there are quite
number of respectable and intelii-
gent people who do oppose it--are
charged with gross ignorance and i'm
pudent audacity.' He tells the people
that there Is nothing in the covenant
which in the least interfsres with or
impairs the right of Congress to de-
clare war or not to declare war. ac-
cording to it's own independent judg-
ment as the constitution provides.
Article x Binding
The fallacy OF this position has
been exposed again and again. Article
y, in words of the utmost precision,
binds US to an obligation which under
certain easily foreseeablc circum
stances will require the use of armed
forces. 1t is true that the constitu-
ton invests Congress with the sole
power to declare war. but war shall
become necessary in order to fulfill
Congress must either declare war or
repudiate the obligations.
This obligation assumed by the
signatoies to the covenant is abso-
lutte and unquallhed. Wherever GER
tain specified circumstances arise. no
matter how much We might regret it,
We would have to keep our promise or
sneak out Of it, Let no one be de-
ceived the choice would be between
two things-war or dishonor.
Article X is not only the most dan
,,1.t>
in its sinister possibilities il 10 the
most dangerous proposition ever pre-
sented to the American people. Let
me read II to you and then ask you
TO follow me in brief inquiry as to
its meaning. 1t reads:
THE high contracting parties un-
dertake to protect and preserve as
ritorial integrity and existing politi-
cal independence of all states, MEM
bers of the League. In case Of any
such aggression. or in case of any
threat or danger Of such aggression
the executive council shall advise
upon the means by which the obi
cation shall be fulfilled
We do not need to bring to bear
upon these words any fine processes
of legal analysis. Their meaning is
So plain that he who runs may read.
The obligation assumed is as free
from ambiguity as a written promise
to pay $50 thirty days after date. To
preserve means to defend and save
When ratified the obligation becomes
that Of the nation. not merely the
promise of. the president and the
senator or congress. The national
honor will be pledged to it as it is
pledged to the performance Of every
treaty.
America will never countenance
the cynical doctrine that a treaty is
a mere scrap of paper am a plain,
average man like the most of you,
little skilled in legal and diplomatic
intricacies and l know of no way to
keep a promise except to keep il.
Let US take an illustration Two
ranch neighbors having adjusted
their respective boundaries, agree to
abide by the adjustment and stand
py one another against outside at
tack. What would any man of honor
think if one Of them in the hour of
the others need should refuse TO
come to his assistance upon the plea
that the agreement was not legally
enforceable?
we do not need to imagine cases.
We have one Immediately in noint
Poland is a member Of the league.
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