Evening journal., 1920-11-01
COLONEL DUPONT CLEARS ISSUES FOR
INDEPENDENT VOTERS; SHOWS WHY
THEY SHOULD VOTE FOR HARDING

A reporter of The Evening Journal having
old Colonel H. A. dupont that some independent
voters seemed to be in perplexity because on the
one hand they wanted to do all they could to
prevent the recurrence Of war, which involved
a vote for Cox and the League of Nations, and
on the other hand they felt that in so doing they
we're virtually condoning the monumental waste
and extravaganza, as well as inefhciency OF the
Democratic party during the past few years, and
upon asking Colonel dupont for an expression
of his views, the latter said:
an view Of the systematic and disin-
qenuous assertions of many of the Demo
cratic newspapers and orators, ! can appre-
ciate their perpleSdty, and particularly IN
the case of those who are voting
for the first time, who should take little
time for reflection and try to take broad
view of the question, the basis of which, to
my mind, is one of principle and not of de-
tail.
'sThe principle involved may be thus
stated: 1t is mquestionably the moral duty
Of all nations (which are collective groups Of
individually to use their best endeavors to
live in peace and amity with the rest of the
world, and such being the case, most earnest
and honest efforts should be made to prevent
the recurrence of war. This principle, be it
observed, was not first discovered enun-
ciated by MIR. Wilson, but has been taught by
the religious world throughout the ages and
is based upon the precepts of the Good Book
take il that people Of all shades of opinion
on other matters will stand together in its
support-Mr. Harding for one, most GER
tainly does. From the very first inception
of his campaign UP to the present moment he
has consistently maintained this position.
''Mr. Wilson has brought back plan
from Europe which is intertwined with the
general treaty of peace and the contro-
i versy regarding it is not one Of legislation or
the law-malSing power, but of making pact
or treaty with other nations to be serupu-
lously observed If The country is not to be
dishonored.
'Iet me now mention some of the prin-
cipal objections to Mr.. Wilson's proposed
treaty-objections which believe to be
made in good faith and with which / am in
full and hearty accord:
"In the first place, the Tenth Article
of the Treaty contains provision which, If
it does not impinge directly upon the war
. powers Of Congress under our Constitution,
o certainly does so indirectly, as il suggests the
employment Of the naval and military forces
d of the country in putting down by force any
e nation which should endeavor to break the
peace. Mr.. Wilson claims, il is true, that
e Congress is not legally bound to declare war
e admitted that it is morally bound to do So
which is undoubtedly correct. good illus
J. tration of this has been recently given by MIR
Root by pointing out that If the United
n States had made treaty with another nation
under the terms of which a money indemnity
T. was to be paid, such payment must follow ar
appropriation of money by Congress; anS
n while there is nothing in our laws which re
y quires Congress to make such appropria
ton, If il fails to do so il breaks the treat.
r and dshonors the nation.
20 "In the next place, the terms of th'
as treaty utterly destroy the so-caled 'Monro'
n Doctrine for which our country has stoo'
e for over one hundred years and which vital.
affects our own security as well as our rela
n tons with the other countries of the nev
world.
Further, there is no provision mde
which we could honorably withdraw from
the League of Nations upon our own volition
as the pact provides that this only b
done with the consent of the other parties t.
the treaty.