Omaha daily bee., 1920-06-28
Wilson Puts Stamp Of Ap-
proval on Covenant Proposal
In Democratic Platform as
Drafted by Party Leaders.
HONOR OF U. S. DEPENDS
ON FINAL RATIFICATION
Favor League As Surest, If
Not Only Practical Means
OF Maintaining Permanent
Peace of the World.
BY GEORGE WILCOX.
ihicagO Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire.

. e'ot 4 iohNioNo, - uliS -S.-r-i 1851
dent Wilson would have the demo-
>aratic party assembled here say in
It's declaration of principles that he
agreed to cessation OF hostilities
against the imperial German govern
neent upon the basis of a league OF
nations for prevention of future war.
The president has been heard
from in approval of the league of
nations plank as drafted by admins
tration leaders and the declaration
contains the emphatic statement that
the armistice was signed and the
tseaty of peace negotiated after
there had been an understanding
that there would be league of ma
tions formed with the United States
one of its component parts.
Because OF this the platform plank
approved by the president contains
TIE inference, if not the direct state
iaent, that the honor OF the United
States as pledged to the allied ma
tons in the great war can only be
upheld by a ratification of the Yer
sailles treaty and league covenant
without nullifying reservations.
Follows Virginia Platform.
As finally drafted by administra-
tion platform builders, headed by
Senator Carter Glass, the league
plank is an amplification of the Vir-
ginia platform. the first three para
graphs being as follows:
The democratic party favors a
league of nations as the surest if
not the only practical means of
maintaining the permanent peace OF
the world and terminating the in
sufferable burden of great military
and naval establishments. 1t was
for this that America broke away
from traditional isolation and spent
its blood and treasure to crush a
colossal scheme of conquest.
1T was upon this basis that the
president of the United States. in
with our allies,
consented to a cessation of hostili-
ties against the imperial German
government and upon this basis that
the arn,isticc was granted and
treaty of peace negotiated.
"We not only congratulate the
president OH the vision manifested
and the vigor exhibited in the pros
ecution of the war, but we felicitate
him and his assistants on the excep--
tional achievement at Paris involved
in the adoption of league and
treaty so near akin to American
ideals and so intimately related to
the aspirations of civilized peoples
everywhere"
Endorse Wilson's Views.
The administration plank then
follows the Virginia platform declar-
alton, altered somewhat in phraseo-
logy. to bring it up to date and to
make 1t applicable to the whole coun-1
try instead Of a state. endorsing the
presidents views of Americas inter
national obligations and advocating
prompt ratification of the treaty
without reservations which would
impair its essential integrity
Another amplification OF the Vir-
ginia platform which also has the
presidents approval, is designed to
meet the cry that participation in
tie league would mean the ruthless
slaughter OF American sons in re-
mote parts of the world, sent there
at the whim of the chief executive OF
the United States. This cry the plat
form dcnounces as false and
vicious" and asserts that under the
league American soldiers could not
be sent to fight anywhere in the
world without the consent OF con-
gress. -,
"As now drafted. aud as it will
be submitted to the committee OH
resolutions" said a leading admini-
stration democrat today, this
,-league plank is regarded by. Presi-
' dent Wilson as. best expressing his
views on this subject. | believe that
this convention will endorse the
president emphatically. True there
arc men here who are attempting
to stir up the spirit of revolt, who
would if they could, prevent the
friends of the president from con-
trolling the committee on resolu-
tions, but | believe that they will
fail. I propose to do all that lies
within my power to secure the adop-
tion Of this plank without any change
whatever. 1t may be that some slight
changes in phraseology would be ac-
cepted, but doubt it"
Opponents Active.
With the administrations position
now made clear, w. J. Bryan and
democrats who parted with Wilson
on the league issue are redoubling
their efforts to force league substi-.
tute on the convention. They will
first attempt to elect Senator Walsh
of Montana as chairman in place OF
Senator Glass. who is slated for the
chairmanship by the administration.
Mother to Plead for Son