New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-29

necessary to challenge that statement
or pass further opinion upon the I'M
fortunate league. 1t has already been
abandoned by Europe, which had gone
so far as to accept t by formal agree
nent In treaty. On this subject we
are fully informed at first hand. Only
the other day the British Premier said
unresentfully that the essential CO.
/ operation Of America might involve
some change, at any rate, in the form
of the covenant and he added, with
| characteristic outspokenness, IT IL
quite possible it might be a change for
the better Compare this with the
obstinate insistence Of the President
and the Democratic nominee upon ac-
ceptance of the original document with
only such Interpretation as neither
safeguard our liberties nor Wind other
powers in the slightest degree TO the
recognition Of our just and proper
reservations.
Already Announced
~ have already announced that
shall urge prompt pTss<r . Of the res
olution, vetoed hv tho President, de-
claring at an end the preposterous
condition Of tcrhnical war when we
are actuallv y oeacc. simultaneously,
| shall natural advise the resumption
by the CONGRESS- Of it's exceptional pow
crs, which have been vested by war leg
islation in the Executive. | have no
expectation whatever of finding it nee
cssary or advisable to negotiate a sep
arate peace with Germany.
''In view of the simple fact that the
Allied powers with whom we were as
sociated in the war have already for
| q live I>J hair ho
sage of the peace resolution by Con-
gress would merely give formal recog-
milton. to an obvious fact.
"For manifest reasons 7 could not
hope now to reveal the exact outcome
or to depict the precise methods of the
accomplish ment so much desired. One
need have little doubt, however, Of the
effectiveness Of the conscience of ma
| tons at work in concord amid the al
| most universal desire to take some for
ward, practical and effective action.
Valued Suggestion
Listen, further, to the wise and far
seeing former British Ambassador,
who was not permitted to present his
credentials to our Executive.
"Viscount Grey continues: The
Americans should be intrusted with
the task of drafting a reconstruction
scheme. Then he suggests further
that "a committee Of the Senate
we must never forget the Senate's
rights and duties in regard to for
eign affairs, being reinforced by the
members of the House of Representa-
President and Supreme Court-could
draw up suggestions for the recon
struction of the league, which would
be consonant with the feeling not of
cn>, but of all parties in America
'Frankly, | value that suggestion
very highly because it is proifered
obviously in a helpful and friendly
spirit and reveals an important Old
World opinion on the necessity of
1t conprehends substantially what
would propose to do if elected Presi-
dent. | do not mean precisely that.
1t would be clearly unwise to under
take specific suggestions or to at
tempt to pass upon suggestions now
What is in my mind is the wisdom of
calling into real conference the ablest
and most experienced minds Of this
country, from whatever walks Of life
they may be derived and without re-
gard to party utilization. to formulate
a definite, practical plan along lines
already indicated for the consideration
of the controlling foreign powers.
Very Slight Objection
''Thc objection, strongly uttered in
some quarters, that this course would
involve the reconvening of the entire
convention may be regarded as a very
slight one. The acceptance of our
proposals by the few principal IA
tons would undoubtedly be followed
promptly by the acceptance on the
~ Of thu Nov Of
alliance
There would be no material delay
One can not disregard the leadership
or have any doubt about the influence
OF the principal Allied and associated
powers. In so far as l could do so,
without disregarding the proprieties,
should give very earnest and Dract-
cally undivided attention to this very
vital subject from the day Of my cleo
ton and | should ask others to do like
wise as a matter Of public and patri-
otto duty. lndeed, should hope to
have behind me, after the decision on
the national referendum we are soon
to have, a country wholly united in
earnest endeavor to achieve a true So
luton of this problem upon which the
future civilization SO largely depends
Does some one say that | ought to be
more specific? One cannot be, with
any sense of certainty. No one can
forcscc the exact conditions by which
our country will be confronted seven
months hence. World opinion and our
own opinion have been changing very
rapidly in the last few months.
On Our Own Terms
AS long said Viscount Grey, hard
ly month ago, as long as the richest,
most powerful, the greatest, both for
population and territory, of the civil
lied countries of the world stands out
side the league, the league will be UNI
able to fulfil it's destiny. To put it in
quite plain terms, the Americans mist
De told that if they will only join ID
league they can virtually name their
own terms Undou btedly that is the
fact. | ask: Is there any good reason
why we should not avail ourselves of
this privilege? | do not mean in any
arrogant or domineering, or patroniz-
luIiltlIllIyI