Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-03-26
SENATE FAILS TO RATIFY TREATY.


SENATE FAILS TO RATIFY TREATY.
The peace treatv with GERMANY con-
tanning the League Covenant made at
Versailles by the Allies and ratified
by the governments of England,
France, Italy, Belgium, Austria and
Japan and by most, if not all, of the
smaller powers, was again defeated
in the Senate last Friday night, the
10Th, failing by Is votes to receive
the necessary % or Ga votes.
The final vote came on a resolu-
ton of ratification to which was
attached all the Republican rcscr-
vations including the reservation to
Article X a practical rcpudition of
the article which, as President Will
son declared, was thrust at the
heart of the Covenant.
In support of the resolution the
Republicans gave % votes, the
Democrats, who preferred to take
the reservations rather than see the
treaty fail, 81 votes, total 40. Against
it Republicans irreconcetables ~,
Democrats %, total 35. A number
of Senator'S of both parties were
paired for or against ratification.
SO it appears that after months
of veXatiouS, delay and acrimonious
fruitless debate the treaty was re-
turned to the President with the
information that it could not be
ratified. II this unfortunate result
were due to an honest difference
OF opinion among the Senator's we
could accept it with more COM
posure, but when, as seen from the
beginning, the division was
along party lines, and that the fail
urc to ratify is due, as many promi-
nent Republicans and leading Re-
publican journals admit and deplore
largely to PARTISAN bitterness, per-
sonal ill-will toward the President,
and purpose. to humiliate him, We
lose patience and question the pat
riOtiSm of Senator'S who have al
lowed such improper and unworthy
motives to control their action in a
matter involving the peace of the
whole world.
Suppose we admit what the Prcsi-
dents enemies, both in his own and
IN the Republican party, say of
him, that he is arrogant, dictatorial
stubborn, bull-headed, if you will.
determined 10 have his own way
to rule or ruin. Admit, if YOU like,
that it is natural and, on occasions,
even eXcusablc for men to resent
such an attitude in one with whom
they have TO deal. Will this justi-
fy the attitude of these Senator's to-
ward the treaty? Will ii excuse or
Justify their furious and vindictive
assaults upon Mr.. Wilson, judging
him rather that his great work for
a permanent peace?
In passing upon question of
such tranSccndent Importance TO all
The people of the earth can any
possible excuse be found for the
motive and the spirit manifested by
the Republican Senator'S from the
day on which the President placed
the treaty in their hands?
IL is useless TO pretend that the
Democrats defeated The. treaty by
refusing to accept it with the Re
publican prCSrame Of multiplying
reservations, to- all of which they
objected.
All the world knows that from the
day The treaty was left with the
Senate the Democrats, with posi-
bly, one or Two exceptions, were
ready and willing to ratify il and
would have done so. after a very
brief consideration, if they had had
the power. The Republicans OBJ
posed it, held 1t for eight months
and, when they could not amend
the text, louded il with useless I'M
acceptable reservations. wore them
selves out in the effort 10 find OBJ
jctioDs, exhausted the patience Of
all Christendom with ill-tcmpered
talk, killed the treaty and must take
The responsibility.
The result Of their action is every
where deplored. II leaves US.
technically, still at war with Ger
many. If we now undertake to make
peace with the Hun ii must be a
separate peace made without the
assistance and corporation of ,ur
allies. Europe is left in q condi-
ton Of uncertainty and economic
disturbance which ratification
would have greatly amcliorated.
Reed, of Missouri, was thl only
Democrat absolutely opposed to The
treaty from the first. Exactly how
lrauy Of Tic Republicans reilly
stood on the question il is difficult