The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-03-15
Senator's Must Today Decide
Which to FOllOw---Wash-
ingtOn or Wilson

This will be an eventful date In history. .
Today the Republic stands face to face with fate.
The climax of a momentous battle II near 1t hand.
It Is question whether Wilson's strong jaw
Lodges weak knees will win out
If this treaty of Versailles is ratified, II We become
partner In this league Of nations the Senate consents
this betrayal of American interests the generations to
will date the complications and possibly the caamites in
which and they shall be involved from the hour that
we departed from the wise njunctons Of Washington and
ooishly followed the promptings of Wilson's pride and
ambition
Senator Lodge and other Republican Senators
courageous among the Democrats have had oppor
uny to make great historical figures Of themselves going
before the public going before posery the opponents
Of this abandonment Of American policies and this
render Of American interests to foreign influences
But people seldom have higher place in history than
they deserve and Lodge and the other Senators who
might have had this position fail achieve it, it is because
Of their inherent weaknesses that made them unworthy Of it.
The who repudiated the rule Of England in ITS
and made this country independent brave strong
They have been cherished in memories patriots
because they deserved to be.
they had had Lodges weak knees, and the trimming
mdity Of of the other Senator's they would
have accomplished anything for their country,
achieved any fame for themselves
There were compromising Lodges trading Hitch
cocks no trimming trembling Ashursts among the men who
signed the Declaration of Independence
And is doubtful in these degenerate days there
enough Jeersons Franins Hancocks and Adamses patr
oc heroic men, keep country free and to keep it
the paths that have made it powerful peaceful and
porous.
Today will determine.
When the treaty and the league covenants had finally
been formulated at Paris Secretary Lansing said to William
Bullitt:
If the American people knew what this treaty
meant, and what it lets them in for there would be
universal protest wonder if there is anyone among
the Senators who will understand and oppose it? Knox
and Lodge might. If Knox did, it would be princi-
ple but with Lodge it would be politics."
We suspect that Mr. Lansing descrhed he situation
exactly.
We fear that Senator Lodge has opposed the ratification
of the league covenants they formulated by Mr.
Wilson not so much upon principle but a matter Of
politics.
And when opposition to any is not rooted in
principle but is based upon the shifting sands of political
expediency then that opposition may any time be broken
down by the promptings Of political expediency.
We trust that do not do Senator Lodge injustice
when say that his whole conduct Of varying and vaca
ing opposition to the league covenants has been open
strong suspicion of insincerity
It has been but few weeks since he had practically
completed compromise with the advocates of the treaty
which would have been nothing short of complete
render.
And only the stubborn and ouspoken opposition of such
outstanding Americans Senators Johnson and Borah and
Reed and their close comrades prevented the surrender
man who has weak knees at stage Of fight is too
apt to have weak knees at another stage.
We say to Senator Lodge that he wishes to 60 down
in American history great and honorable figure he
not afford to have weak knees this day.
History does not acclaim weak knees.
History crowns who have strong knees and strong
hearts and the courage fight good fight the last ditch
This treaty, which is being denounced by the
best and ables in Europe outrageous and indie
feasible document to breed after and these
league covenants which would destroy the independence
the Republic and mortgage tho prosperity and the liberties
of the American cannot possibly be ratified if Senator
Lodge will stand fast upon the ground upon which he has
stood and fight like brave and the representative of
free people the interests of America