Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-03-09

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will be acting also in bad faith to the
opinion of the world at large, to which
they appealed for support In a concerted
stand against the aggressions and preten-
stons Of Germany. If we were TO reject
Article 10 or so to weaken It as to take
Its full force out of It, IL would mark us
as desiring to return to the old world of
jealous rivalry and misunderstanding
from which our gallant soldiers have res
cued US, and would leave us without any
vision or new conception of justice and
peace. We would have learned no les
son from the war but gained only the
regret that it had involved us In it's
maelstrom of suffering. If America has
awakened, the rest of the world has,
to the vision of a new day IN which the
mistakes of the past are to he corrected,
It will welcome the opportunity 10 share
the responsibilities of Article 10.
SAYS IMPERIALIsTs
ARE STILL ACTIVE.
1t must not be forgotten. senator
that this article constitutes q reuuncia-
ton of wrong ambition on the part OF
powerful nations with whom we were
associated In the war. 1t is by no
means certain that without this article
any such remuneration will take place.
Miltaristic ambitions and hnperialistic
policies are by no means dead. even In
the counsels of the nations whom we
most trust and with whom We most
desire to he associated In the tasks OF
peace. Throughout the sessions Of the
conference in Paris IL was evident that
milltaristic party. under the most in.
fueutial leadership, was seeking TO
gain asceudancy In the c0uusels Of
France They were defeated then. but
are in control now. The chief argu-
ments advanced in Paris In support Of
he Italian claims on the Adriatic were
strategic arguments, that IS to say.
military arguments, which had at their
back the thought of naval supremacy In
that sea. For my own part, / am as
intolerant Of imperialistic designs on the
part Of other nations as l was Of such
designs on the part Of Germany.
THE choice is between two ideals
On the one hand the ideal Of democ-
racy, which represents the rights OF
free peoples everywhere to govern them
selves. aud on the other hand. the ideal
Of imperialism, which seeks to domi-
nate by force and unjust power, an
ideal which Is by no means dead and
which Is earnestly held In many
quarters still Every imperialistic In
duence In Europe was hostile TO the
embodiment of article 10 In the covenant
of the league of nations and its defeat
now would mark the complete consum-
nation of their efforts TO nuilify the
treaty. l hold the doctrine Of article 10
to be the essence Of Americanism. We
can not repudiate It or weakeu 1t with
out at the same time repudiating our
own principles.
THE imperialist wants no lea que o,
nations, but If, In response to the uni
versal cry OF the masses everywhere.
there is to be one, he is interested to
secure one suited to his own purposes,
one that will permit him to continue the
historic game Of pawns and peoples
the juggling of provinces, the old bal
ance of power, and the inevitable wars
attendant upon these things. The reser,
walton proposed would perpetuate the
old order. Does any one really want 20
see the old game played again Can
any one really venture to take part in
reviving the old order? The enemies of
league of nations have by every true
instinct conferred their efforts against
Article 10, for 1t is undoubtedly the
foundation of the whole structure. II IS
the bulwark. and the only bulwark, OF
the rising democracy of the world
against the forces of imperialism ana
reaction.
ENTER THE LEAGUE
OR RETIRE GRACEFULLY.
Either We should enter the league
fearlessly. accepting the responsibility
and not fearing the role of leadership
which we now enjoy, contributing our
hi
permanent peace, or we should retire
as gracefully as possible frorp the great
concert of powers by which the world
was saved. For my own part. am no,
willing to trust to the counsel OF diplo
mats the working out OF any salvation
Of the world from the things which ~
has suffered.
81 believe that when the full signifi-
canoe of this great question has been
generally apprehended, obstacles will
seem Insignificant before the opportunity,
a great and glorious opportunity to
contribute our overwhelming moral and
material force to the esta adjustment of an
international regime IN which our own
ideals Of justice and right may be made
to prevail and the nations of the world
be allowed a peaceful development IN
der conditions Of order and safety hith-
erto impossible.
81 need not say, senator, that | have
given a great deal of thought to the
whole matter of servatious proposed in
connection with the ratification Of the
treaty and particularly that portion of
the treaty which contains the covenant
Of the league Of nations. and I have been
struck by the fact that practically every
so-callled reservation was In effect a
rather sweeping qualification of the
terms of the treaty itself I hear OF
reservationsts and mild reservatlonsts.
but I can not understand the difference
between a nullifier and a mild nulli1er
Our responsibility as a nation in this
turning point of history is an over
whelming one, and if / had the oppor
tuuity ! would beg every ono concerned
to consider the matter in the light Of
what Il is possible to accomplish for
humanity. rather than in the light of
special national interests.
IF I have been truly Informed con
corning the desire of some of your col
leagues to know my views in this matter,
l would be very glad If you would show
this letter to them.
Cordially and sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON"
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