Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-07-01
MUST ADHERE TO
WILSON LEAGUE
VIEWS JORDAN
Convention, Under Conditions,
Should Accept Treaty as
Presented
NO IRISH PLANK ADVICE
BY DAVID STARR JORDAN.
(DaanhIfoon


Copyright, 1920, by International News
Service
SAN FRANCISCO, July lit is the
custom at political conventions to bring
forward a variety of reform propositions,
more or less meritorious, for adoption in
the party platform.
And while consideration OF such mat
tiers belongs properly to congressman to
delegates assembled for another purpose
they receive a hasty review by the
platform committee and those which
find acceptance are regarded-fOr four
months at least-as planks In the party
program.
At the same time, however. many
questions in themselves important get
but scant attention unless vigorously OPP
posed by some individual or faction.
Among the critical issues now being
considered by the resolutions committee
of the-aemocratic convention, the much
belabored league of nations naturally
takes first place, accompanied by the ad-
ministration demand that 1t be approved
substantially rs presented by the presl-
dent. that is, without. reservations which
would impair its original integrity.
In view Of Mr. Wilson's relation TO
the party, it is hard to see how that
demand can be refused.
For the only need OF any reservations
is to secure the senate's acceptance OF
the covenant in some form or other.
Any league is better than none at all,
and the phraseology is comparatively I'M
important.
Any league win ultimately be what its
members make IT, and the people OF the
United States may. If they choose, have
ultimately the deciding voice.
The prime purpose Of the league Of
nations is to abolish international war
-humanity's greatest carse-and TO that
end 1t (the lcague) viii provide the form
in which international grievances may
DE freely discussed and composed.
In this connection. MI Bryan's pro-
posed amendment to the federal consti-
tuition providing for the ratification Of
treaties by majority vote deserves care
ful consideration.
Such a ruling would effectively pre-
vent deadlocks between senate and ad-
miuistration like the one which has dis
graced popular government
PRESIDENT CLOSEST
To PEOPLES WILL.
More than once, also. wise treaties
have failed Of adoption because a partl-
san third OF our senator's were rallied
in opposition.
In the senate as now constituted. anti
democratic interests are most heavily
entrenched.
The presidency itself comes closer. in
comparison TO the will Of the people.
Our presidents arc elected every four
years. and by popular vote.
Senator's. by a curious anomaly, are
chosen for a term Of six years. and two
thirds Of their number. elected on other
issues, have already seen service when
the new president appears-an arrange
ment highly favorable TO senatorial ca
balls and resultant deadlocks.
The office Of president OF the United
States. as interpreter Of political values,
personal, partisan. national and iuterna-
tlonal, outgrows the stature Of any one
man.
No one individual can be party lead
er, Judge Of national needs ard an IN
ternational force at one and the same
time.
The Herculean task was attempted by
Mr.. Wilson, with partial success, mag
nifcent in Its way-but with n degree
Of failure which tends to obscure the
positive record Of good accomplished.
The proposed plan for the "hberaliga-
ton" of the Nolstead act attracts al
tention largely on account OF the inan-
clal interests involved.
LIQUOR QUESTION
BELONGS TO CONGRESS.
This matter. on which tho party Is
openly divided, Is one belonging 10 con-
gress, not to 4 political convention.
So far as an onlooker can judge n
wet platform or wet candidate would
mean defeat at the polls.
The same is true, believe OF any
plank advocating absolute independence
for Ireland.
The more persistent the efforts to en-
tangle the United states In this most
complicated and difficult OF all world
problems the more positively are the
American people determined on neutral
:ty.
We understand the crying need for
freedom in ireland. but freedom and In
dependence are two distinct conceptions,
ard the new self-determinatlon Of Flu
rope has shown that they may never
be on speaking terms.
The ghosts OF these two impossibled
being laid, the high cost Of living proba-
lily will demand attention and the prof.
tcer VIII remain. But after 4 fluctuat-
ing currency, pro1teering IS n vicious
Incident IN high prices and by no means
tile prime root Of the evil
No act OF congress can touch the chief
Of its world causes, the imitation Of
credit quack remedies serve no purpose
The high cost of living follows lis
evitably from war.
Even preparedness played the initial
part, for rising prices, the world over,
were clearly noted I'm 1898.