New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-06-11
The Treaty Plank

Resolutions Committee over the
phrasing of the treaty plank was, on
the surface, a struggle to reconcile
three somewhat divergent points of
view. But in reality it went deeper.
1t turned at bottom on the question
whether the Republican party should
set up any particular treaty policy
as a test Of party standing.
With n exception the Republican
Senators opposed ratification Of the
Versailles instrument in the form in
which Mr.. Wilson signed it, or with
the trifing notifications to which he
was willing to assent. They all had
to act on their own judgment and
responsibility, for there was no
party mandate to bind them. Much
the larger group of Republicans sup
ported the treaty with the Lodge
reservations attached. The smaller
group opposed ratification with those
reservations.
The Republican party will not be
in a position to take definite afirma-
tive action on the treaty until after
March a, 1921, and only then in case
it elects a President and retains or
increases its strength in the Senate.
The argument made in the Resolu-
tions Committee against a declara-
ton in favor Of ratification in any
particular manner gained strength
from the fact that no one can fore
see what the state Of the league of
nations will be a year from now or
what changes may occur by that time
In the European situation.
Ought a positive statement Of
policy to be included in the platform
which would draw distinctions of
regularity between different groups
of Senators and seem to deny recog-
milton in the conduct of the cam
paign to Republican leaders like
Knox, Penrose, johnson, Borah,
B%randegee and Mccormick? Ought
the party to set up a new test Of
fealty and accommodation?
That was the issue which came up
in an acute personal form at Chi
cago. Were all Senators in dealing
with the concrete problems Of the
treaty and the covenant to remain
both Republicans and free agents, as
they had been in the past? The
platform declaration agreed on ad-
mits such freedom by avoiding any
reference to the league covenant or
it's treatment, simply laying down
the broad principles which the Re-
publican party purposes adhering to
in international relations. President
Wilson has violated these principles.
The theory Of Republican strategy
in the campaign will be to allow him
to try to justify that violation by
demanding explicit approval both Of
his autocratic methods as a nego-
tiator and Of his sa%crosanct treaty
draft.
The Republican platform doesn't
preclude ratification Of the treaty
and covenant with reservations, or
eventual acceptance by the United
States of membership in a league of
nations. 1t approves u entry into
some sort Of an association of ma
tons for the preservation Of the
worlds peace. Yet it pins American
hopes less on an armed political
alliance, pledged to freeze by force
the political boundaries Of states not
yet delimited, than on an extension
Of the principle Of arbitration and
the scope of existing international
law. The plank adopted is said to
rave been suggested by Elihu Root.
1t embodies his we'll known ideas, 80
far as American participation In
world pacilcation is concerned. II
also represents q return to the policy
OF former Republican Presidents and
a dismissal of President Wilson'S
dream Of entangling the United
States In the workings Of an inter.
national super-state.
The unanimous acceptance Of the
treaty plank proves that Republican
harmony had been INSTRUCTED main
ly by surface disagrcements. Pres.
dent Wilson has forced a popular
referendum on the covenant and on
his rigid construction of it. The Re-
publican party cheerfully meets him
On his Chosen issue. 1t has decided
TO meet him in such a manner that
his difference with the Senate and
With all groups in the Republican
ranks IAN be most effectively empha-
sized.
This ~e1nyention has been described
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