New-York tribune., 1920-06-11
The Treaty Plank


Resolutions COMMITTEES 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.
It turned at bottom on the question
whether the Republican party should
set up any particular treaty policy
as test of party standing.
With one exception the Republican
Senators opposed ratification of the
Versailles instrument in the form in
which Mr.. Wilson signed it, or with
the trifling 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 affirma-
tive action on the treaty until after
March a, 1921, and only then in case
it elects President and retains or
increases it's 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 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-
nition in the conduct of the cam
paign to Republican leaders like
Knox Penrose, johnson, Borah,
Brandegee 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 nego-
tiator and Of his sacrosanct 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 league of
rat;opu r. opnroyac o,,~ or+r,v x+ ~
some sort Of an association of ma
tions for the preservation Of the
worlds peace. Yet 1t 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 internationa
law. The plank adopted is said te
rave been suggested by Elihu Root
II embodies his we'll known ideas, st
far as American participation ir
world pacifcation is concerned. L
also rep resents return to the polio,
of former Republican Presidents ant
dismissal of President Wilson
dream Of entangling the United
States in the workings of an inter
national super-state.
The unanimous acceptance Of thu
treaty plank proves that Republica,
harmony had been obstructed main.
~ by surface disagreements. Pres
ident Wilson has forced popula,
referendum on the covenant and or
his rigid construction Of it. The Re
publican party cheerfully meets him
on his chosen isgue It has decided
TO meet him in such manner that
bis difference with the Senate and
with ell groups in the Republican
ranks can be most effectively cmpha-
sized.
This convention has been described
"a - IL.