New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-11
Saving the League

paign In behalf of a disappointing
candidate is likely to be conducted.
But 1.-THE New York World" and it's
fellow mourners should not let their
zeal draw them completely away
from the facts.
In one form or another "The
World" for example, asserts daily
that Senator Harding and the Re-
publicans are for aloofness aid lit
tie Americanism and opposed to any
league. AS the leading editorial in
"The World" concluded yesterday:
Senator Harding and his associ-
ates have~nothing to offer except a
continuation of international chaos"
Now, the record of the Republican
party with respect to League of
Nations is unquestionable and unam-
biguous. It's general attitude is as
clear as language and acts can
make it.
The Chicago platform declares un-
qualifiedly for "an international as
ISOLATION" to include the two essen
tials Of the existing league, courts of
international justice and the means
for securing "instant and general in
ternational conference" whenever
peace is threatened.
In his speech of acceptance SEN
ator Harding Endorsed this declara-
ton: II can speak unreservedlt of
the American aspirations and the Re-
publican committal for an associa-
ton of nations"
Going back from these latest dec
larations, there is the fact that the
entire Republican membership of the
Senate, with the exception of
handful of independent and unrep-
resentative dissenters, voted for the
Wilson league with the Lodge res
ervations.
Going back from this, there is the
continuous, consistent and logical
development through a generation
by a series Of Republican Presidents
Of that sound internationalism upon
which alone future progress toward
peace can be builded.
1t was William Mckinley who said
in his last speech, delivered at Buff
falo on September S, 1901: "No ma
ton can longer be Indifferent to any
other" and, "The period of aloof
ness is past" We shall have occa-
sion to revert again to this long, con-
structive service of the Republican
party to the cause Of peace and in
ternational understanding. We cite
1T now simply to prove that Mr..
Harding in his present stand. in
favor of league, is but showing
himself true to the established prin
ciples of his party.
There is necessarily some uncer-
tainty as to what form that league
shall take. Mr.. Harding is more
frank than Mr.. Cox in facing that
uncertainty. But Mr.. Cox comedies
that Interpretations" are necessary
in the present covenant, though
making no serious attempt to define
or limit those interpretations. It is
a distant event that is under dis
cussion-not ratification now or this
fall, but next March at the earliest
Much may happen in Europe in the
mean time. New conditions NAV
radically alter our course of action.
And there is the unacceptable politi-
cal fact involved in the constitu-
tional requirement that two-thirds
vote of the Senate must ratify what
ever treaty a President negotiates.
Ratification of the league covenant
with the Lodge reservations is OBJ
vlously one fashion in which the
Republican party may make good
Its pledge to unite this country in
an association of nations"
But already one further change
has been proposed and must be con-
s'dered in connection with the pres
ent covenant. That is the total ex-
cision of Article x, in lieu of a
reservation covering it. 1t is Mr..
Hoover who advocates this clear-cut
step, and no one can call Mr.. Hoover
little American or an anti-leaguer.
There are other constructive
Changes to which Mr.. Harding as
President would undoubtedly apply
the pest ability of the country. Chief
is that which Mr.. Root stressed in
his first criticisms of the covenant in
March, 1919, when lie said:
"The scheme practically abandons
all effort to promote or maintain
anything like systcr1 of interna-
ttonsl law, or system Of arbitra-
ton or Of judicial settlements