South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-06-29

ate nearly three times as long 70
kill the treaty by protracted debate
and by confusing and multiplying
amendments and reservations as II
took the representative OF the al
lied governments TO draft IT,
IL was not the business Of the
president. when he brought this
treaty back from France, 20 join
with Mr.. Lodge and other republi-
can leaders in their deliberate pur-
pose 10 destroy it. Had he initiated.
suggested or assented 10 changes
which would have substantially al
tered its nature. IL would have been
a distinct breach OF faith with his
associates Of the peace council and
a violation Of American pledges.
Everyone acquainted with dipio-
matte uSages or with the plain re-
Quirements Of honesty, understands
this. The foolish invention that the
president refused 10 permit the dot
ting OF an II" or the crossing OF a
IT, has been so often repeated that
many honest people believe in its
truth.
In every speech made during his
tour, the president stated entire will
lngness TO accept any and all reser 70
VatiOns not incompatible with Amer
iCa's honor and true interests. II
is the plain intent Of the covenant
that the Monroe Doctrine is ex-
Guided. that domestic questions are
exempted, that not one American
can be sent out Of the country with
out formal action by congress and
that the right OF withdrawal is aO-
solute II there are words which
can make heSe meanings clearer
they VIII be welcomed. II is not
reservations that the president
stands against, but notification.
No Constructive Criticism.
When the president came back
from Paris in February, 1919. he
brought the first tentative draft OF
the covenant Of the League of Ma
tons. He gave publicity TO it. II
was published throughout the land.
He invited the friends OF such
League to submit criticisms. Former
Pres't Taft offered four amend
ments; former Sen. Root offered six
amendments: and Mr.. Hughes sug-
gested seven. At a meeting Of the
committee on foreign relations at
the white house in March, 1918,
other changes were suggested. These
amendments were taken back by the
president TO Paris and other sub
stance was actually incorporated in
the revised draft OF the League
DR.. Lowell, president OF Harvard
university, in his joint debate with
Sen. Lodge, invited the latter TO sug
gest constructive amendments which
the president might incorporate in
the draft: but he refused so 10 do.
At no time has he failed TO offer de
structive criticism. SO intolerant
was his attitude that he would not
even consider a compromise pro-
posed 10y Former Pres't Taft Of his
own party and which was assured
II the support OF 40 democratic sen
at0rs. Sen. Lodge knew that he con
trolled the senate and that in his
own time and way, he could destroy
the treaty.
This is the sordid story of its de
feat No blacker crime against
civilization has ever sOiled the
pages of our history. The last
chapter was written at Chicago.
The republican platform not only
repudiates the League of Nations.
but praises, without discrimination,
all Of the republican senators who
participated in its defeat It's words
Of benediction fall alike upon the ir-
reConcilables, the Lodge reserva-
tionists, the mild reservationists and
those who proposed a separate peace
with Germany. It is consistent in
one thing only, the recognition of
the fact that the open foes of the
treaty, the secret foes Of the treaty,
and the apparent friends of the
treaty who conspired with its en-
emies. are equally responsible for
the destruction Of the instrument
itself. 1t would be idle TO inquire BY
what political legerdemain this
meaningless and yet ominous dec
laratiOn was prepared. Ii is enough
TO know that the "Old Guard" sold
the honor OF America for the priv
lege of nominating reactionary for
president