South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-01-09

ened nations BY which Germany was
defeated and all similar govern
nnents Cf the world be so unhappy
as 20 contain any warned of the
certain consequence OF any attempt
% Ike iniqUity, and yet that Is the
effect Of the course the senate IL
the United States has taken with
regard 10 the treaty Of Versailles
Germany IS beaten, but we are
still at war with her and the old
stage Is reset for a repetition of the
old system. II Is nov ready for
the resumption Of the old offensive
and defensive alliances which made
settled peace impossible. IL is now
open again % every sort Of intrigue.
The old spies are free 90 resume
their former abominable activities.
They arc again az liberty to make IL
impossible for governments 10 be
sure what mischief is being worked
among their own people. what in
ternal disorders are being formented.
secret Treaties
Without the covenant OF the
league Of Nations there may be
as many secret treaties as ever to
destroy the confidence of govern
ment In each other and their valid
ity cannot be questioned. None OF
the objects we professed 90 De fight
ing for has been secured or can
be made certain without this nation
ratification Of the treaty and its
entry into the covenant. This ma
tion entered the great war 20 vim
and preserve free government. I'll
went into the war 10 see it through
20 the end and the end has not vet
come. II went into the war TO make
an end OF militarisrn. 20 furnish
guarantees 20 weak nations, and TO
make a just and lasting peace 1T
entered il with noble enthusiasm.
Five of the leading belligerents have
accepted the treaty and formal IA
tifcations soon viii be exchanged.
THE question is whether this
country viii enter and enter whole
heartedly. IF it does not do SO
the United States and Germany Will
plaS a lone hand I'm the world.
The maintenance OF the peace of
The world and the effective execu-
lion Of the treaty depend upon the
whole-hearted participation Of the
United States.
Il am not stating II as a matter
Of power The point is that the
United States is the only nation
which has sufficient moral force with
he rest % the world 90 guarantee
he substitution Of discussion for
war IL we keep out of this agree
ment, If we do not give our guaran-
.ces then another attempt viii be
made 10 crush the new nations of
Europe
senate Is Wrong.
II do not believe that this is what
lhe people OF this country wish or
viii be satisfied with. Personally n
10 not accept the action of the SEN
ate of the United States as the deci-
don OF the nation I have asserted
rom the first that the overwhelming
najority of the people of this coun-
Try desire the ratification of the
treaty and my impression now is
hat the effect has recently been
confirmed 10y unmistakable evidences
~ public opinion given during my
fsit 20 u of the states.
81 have eudeavored to make it.
plain. If the senate wishes 10 say
what the undoubted meaning of the
eague Is. I shall have no objection
There can be no reasonable objection
% interpretations accompanying the
oct of ratification itself But when
he treaty is acted upon. I must
know whether il means that we have
ratified or rejected it, We cannot
fewrite this treaty. We must take
h without changes which alter its
neaning, or leave It. and then. after
he rest OF the world has signed IT,
NE must face the unthinkable task
81 making another and separate
Kind OF treaty with Germany.
But no mere assertions with re-
gard TO the wish and opinion of the
fountry are credited. IL there is any
doubt as 70 what the people of the
sountry think Of this vital matter,
he clear and single way out is TO
submit II for determination at the
next election 10 the voters of the ma
lion, 20 give the next election the
,crm of a great and solemn refer
sndum. a referendum as 10 the part
,he United States is to play in COM
bleting the settlements of the war
md in the prevention i'm the future
II such ouUages as Germany at
tempted 10 perpetrate
No Moral Right.
we have no more moral right TO
iefuse now TO take part in the exc
sution and administration of these
settlements than we had 90 refuse 10
AXE part in the hghtng Of the last
lew weeks of the war which brought
victory and made ii possible 10 die
ate Go Germany what the settle
nents should bee. Our fidelity 10 our
associates in the war Is an question
md the whole future OF mankind
u viii be heartcning 10 the world 10
know the attitude and purpose Of.
he United States
j spoke just now of the spiritual
leadership OF the United States
thinking OF international affairs But
here is another spiritual leadership
which is open TO as and which we
AN assume The world has been
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