Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1920-02-23
HOOVER STATES
OPPOSITION TO
RESERVATIONS
Declares injection Of Treaty
Issue Into Campaign Would
Obscure Pressing Domes-
tic Questions at Polls

Baltimore. Md. Feb. 2s.-Herbert
c. Hoover, former food administrator,
declared today in an address at Joxns
Hopkins university his opposition to
making the ratification of the treaty
with Germany an issue in the presi-
dental campaign. He insisted the in
lection of the arguments for and
against reservations would Obscure
our pressing domestic issues by conflict
over a question in which the country
already has made up its mind" and
added, 'it is my impression that there
is no party credit in this position"
Hope for immediate ratification of
the treaty rested, he said in the ac-
ceptance by the lesser reservation
ists' in the proposals of the mild res
ervations.' The two combined, he
said, could secure ratification.
observations Scored,
ut also appears to us" he continued
that even from the point of view of
the lesser reservationists they vii
have secured all of the major func-
tons and values of the league. For
my part, if the league cannot prove its
value under the latest proposals of the
mild reservationlsts' it will never
prove them under the proposals of the
lesser reservationists.
The present danger Europe is ta,-
ing, Mr.. Hoover said, is not so much
a revolutionary cataclysm as s.,c
steady degeneration of the standard
of living and the slow decay of the
forces of stability"
Restored productivity, he insisted Is
essential If the allies are to receive the
maximum reparation. Until then we
shall not have real peace" he said.
1t will be delayed as long we hano
the treaty in the air for we are a parl
of It,"
Charges Petty Quibbliag.
1T would appear to an outsider that
both sides were in agreement on ali
the great major ideas of the league
and the major ideas of reservations
but that they are in disagreement
mostly over secondary questiors in the
reservations. In the meantime the
world is held in suspense. Infinite
misery goes on accumulating. Force;
are set in motion that many yield new
conflicts. Already the distrust and I'm.
dermining of confidence and credit in
the wohld has crippled our export
market"
Regardig the part of the United
States will take in the rehabilitation OF
Europe, Mr.. Hoover counseled moder-
alton. "eW have two extreme views
among our people," he said upon tins
policies we should adopt in all thes-
matters. One contends that the ideal
is isolation of Europe to herself, the
other contends for at least moral DOM
nation as a mission of international
justice. Many of us want neither ex-
treme."
Hopes for Ratification.
Assuming that the treaty would be
ratified some day." in some form
he reached hope that it might serve
to bring about a reduction of al -.-.a-
ment and the development Of eng,li,.
of Cancellation, of arbitration and
codes and courts of international jus.
/ tice."
Except where the Interests of the
| United States are vltally concerned
Mr.. Hoover declared himself as Oh.
posed to American members on tn.
missions provided for in the treaty for
the settlement of questions recon.
mended by the war. The loaninE E,
money except to alleviate distress was
also opposed "Our best assistance N
healing Europes economic wouno,
lies in the promotion of the great pro-
cesses of private commerce" he said
mot in loans from our government
Mr., Hoover's reference to the peacs
treaty and its ratification were pre-
ceded by presentation of statistics cal.
cuated to indicate what he called the
"heartbreaking underpayment' oil
school teachers
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