The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1920-09-16
world. I. -as.aa ..;..a .he 1e=e-
might, not of right

might, not OF right.
"The assertion is made frequently
that through the surrender of our ma
tionality we might have saved the life
of the covenant-that is to say. that,
although twenty-eight nations could
not make 1t function. one added to the
twenty-eight would have achieved a
glowing success, provided. always, that
the one were America.
"This pays to America the tribute
Of exceptional influence, but l suggest
that If the world is dependent upon our
action to bring about the supreme real
ization, then we ought to have the say
about our own freedom in participant
ing therein. But let US consider what
is meant by this reliance upon Ameri-
ca. What can 1t signify If not that
it is to the United States. and to the
United States alone, that the other
twenty eight nations look for the bone
and sinew, the money, the munitions
and the men to sustain the entire or
ganization. not as an agency of peace,
but as an armed force?
A Telling Admission.
"A few days ago delegation of an
organization which calls itself a So
ciety for the Prevention Of War ap-
pealed to the premier Of Great Britain
to unite and use the powers of the
world in defense of Poland, Armenia
and the Dardanelles. The British pre-
mier replied, according to his remarks
quoted by the newspapers, to the eff
feet that, while the formation of AN
International army would be AN ideal
solution it could not be accomplish
ed because the European nations could
not furnish the troops and the United
States had withdrawn from co-opera-
tion'-a polite and diplomatic phrase
that the senate Of the United States
had not completed the partial obliga
ton assumed by the President to do
that very thing-that is, to furnish the
troops Could {; clearer indication OF
what would have been expected Of this
country as a member of the league be
desired? Hardly. Some, too, think, OF
say they think, that this extraordinary
service should he rendered. I do not
agree with them, but, assuming that
they are right, I venture to note thai
nothing stands in the way of perform
ance. The President has only to cal
upon Congress to declare war, end tc
confer upon him specific authority to
raise armies for the protection Of the
powers which, though recently asso
ciated with, are still foreign to our
own republic.
"It is reasonably safe to assume.
however, that the President will not
pursue this course Fortunately, he
Is under no compelling moral obliga-
ton under the league TO do so. His
recent unhappy experience. moreover,
in asking Congress to send American
boys to police Armenia would hardly
encourage repetition Of request al
ready courteouslv but quite firmly de
clined by the Congress. What then. ir
like circumstances, would be the an
swer of the British premier himselfi
In his own words. addressing meet.
ing of the Coalition Liberals on Au-
gust II last. according to the press
reports, he said:
"'NVhen the terrible question Of
peace or war has to be decided, GU,
people. who trust us not to commit
their treasure to any unjustifable ad
venture Nothing but the most impera
| tive call Of national honor, national
safety and national freedom can JUS
| tify war. Before this country is com
mitted to 1t, even in the most limited
form. must be satisfied tina, these
are in peril
81 quote these telling words, my
countrymen, with the utmost satisfac
/ ton, because with one amendment
they express to nicely my own posi-
ton. take for granted that the
prime minister meant to include ir
treasure the greatest treasure of all
but, for myself I should leave moth
ing to be inferred Foremost and above
all else to be safeguarded by those
of US who hold the trust of the PEG
pie, 1t goes without saying, but canno
| be too often repeated, is the manhood
of the nation.
Will Not Misuse Power.
"Now. It may appear to you that
have been speaking chiefly in the mega
tive. l make the admission. What il
more, might continue to do so almos
Indefinitely without disadvantage t,
our cause. So many things have beef
done by the present expiring admins
tration that no power on earth coult
induce me to do, that l cannot evel
attempt to recount them. l may re
mark casually, however, that if SHOULD
be. as I fully expect to be. electe'
President of this just and honorable
republic, will not empower an assist
ant secretary Of the navy to draft
constitution for helpless neighbors Il
the West Indies and jam it down thei
threats at the point of bayOnets born
by United States marines. We hav
higher service for our gallant ma
rines than that. Nor will misuse tn
power of the executive to cover with
veil Of secrecy repeated acts of ur
warranted interference in domestic al