Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-08-08


In the republican organization.
The country received with interest.
to say the least, the announcement
! from Chicago. where the national
convention was assembled, that a
platform plank, dealing with the
| subject OF world peace, had been
| drawn. leaving out the Lodge res
erNations, and yet remaining agree
able to all interests, meaning there
I by the Lodge reservationists, the
mild reservationists and the group
of republican senators that openly
opposed the league of nations In
any form.
AS the platform made no definite
commital of policy and was, in
fact, so artfully phrased as to make
almost any deduction possible, II
passed through the convention with
practical unanimity. Senator john
son. however, whose position has
been consistent and whose opposi-
ton to the league in any shape is
well known. withheld his support
of the conventions choice until the
candidate had stated the meaning
of the platform, and announced
dNLiIitclS Tire pViiSy t't<Nh "NS'N ~
his, if elected.
The republican candidate has
spoken and his utterance calls
forth the following approval from
Senator Johnson:
League of Nations.
In his speech of acceptance
Senator Harding uneqHivocally took
his stand upon the paramount issue
in this campaigD-the league of
nations. The republican party
stands committed by its platform.
Its standard-bearer has now accen-
tuated that platform. There can
be no Misunderstanding his words. +"
Senator Harding, as the candi-
date of the party, and Senator
Johnson are as one on this ques-
ton, and, as the latter expressed II,
the republican party is committed
both by platform in the abstract
and by its candidate in specifica
ton. The threatened revolt among
leaders of the party Is averted, but
the minority position as expressed
in the senate prevails as that of the
party. In short, principle, as
avowed in support Of the Lodge
reservations, or of the so-called
mild reservations, has been sur
rendered to expediency.
Senator Harding makes this
new pledge OF policy in behalf of
his party
II promise you formal and eff
fective peace so quickly as re-
publican congress can pass its dec
laratlon for a republican executive
to sign
This means but one thing--a
separate peace with Germany!
This would be the most disheart-
ening event in civilization since
the Russians made their separate
peace with Germany. and infinitely
more unworthy on our part than
it was on that of the Russians.
They were threatened with starva-
ton and revolution had swept their
country. Our soldiers fought side
by side with the allies. So COM
plete was the coalition of strength
and purpose that General Foch was
given supreme command. and every
soldier in the allied cause, no mat
ter what flag he followed, recog-l
niZed him as his chief. We fought
the war together, and now before
the thing is through it is proposed
to enter into separate peace with
Germany In good faith we pledged
our strength with our associates
for the enforcement of terms upon
offending powers, and now II Is
suggested that this be withdrawn.
Suppose Germany, recognizing the
first break in the allies, proposes
something we cannot accept. Does
Senator Harding intend to send an
army to Germany to press her to
our terms? Certainly the allied
army could not be expected to rem
der aid. II. on the other hand,
Germany should accept the chance
we offered Of breaking the bond
1t would be for the express pur-
pose of insuring a rman-Ameri-
can alliance, recognizing that the
allies--in fact, no nation in good
standing-would, have anything to
do with either of u.s.
This plan would not only be
piece of bungling diplomacy. but
plain, unadulterated dishonesty,
as well.
No less an authority than Sena-
tor Lodge said. before the heat of
recent controversy, that to make
peace except in company with the
allies would brand us everlastingly
with dishonor and bring ruin TO
u.s.
And then after peace is made
With Germany, Senator Harding
would, he says. hopefully APP
proach the nations of Europe and
Of the earth, proposing that under
standing which makes lis a willing
participant in the conservation OF
nations to a new relationship
In short. America, refusing to
enter the league of nations tnoW
already established by 20 natons)
and bearing and deserving the con-
tempt of the world, would submit
an entirely new project. This act
would either be regarded as arrant
madness or attempted international
bossism.
The plain truth is, that the re-
publican leaders, obsessed with a
determination to win the presiden-
tial election, have attempted to sat
isfy too many divergent views. IN
constituencies. inevitable under the
circumstances, rise to haunt them
on every hand. and they find them
selves arrayed in public thought at
least. against a great principle.
More than that. their conduct isl
opposed to the idealism upon which
their party prospered in other days.
Illustrating these observations by
concrete facts, let 1t be remem-
bered that those now invefghlng
against an interest in affairs out
side of America, criticised Presi-
dent Wilson In unmeasured terms
for not resenting the invasion of
Belgium in 1914. They term the
league Of nations military ALI
ance, which, except for their oppo-
sition, would envelop our country,
when. as a matter of truth, the
subject Of league of nations has
claimed the best thought of Amer
lea for years, and the league to