Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-09-09

PRESIDENT or fmn JUST anu nonoThble
republic, viii not empower an assist
ant secretary Of the navy TO draft "a
constitution for helpless neighbors In
the West Indies and Jam II down their
throats at the point OF bayonets borne
by United States marines. We have
O higher service for our gallant ma
rines than that. Nor will / misuse the
power Of the executive to cover with
veil Of secrecy repeated acts OF un'
warranted interference IN domestic af'
fairs Of the little republics of the west
ern hemisphere. such as In the past few
years have not only made enemies OF
those who should be our friends but
have rightfuily discredited our country
az their trusted neighbor.
viii Submit to No Wrong.
On the other hand, will not or
shall not. as you prefer. submit to any
wrong against any American citizen,
with respect 10 either his life or his
property, by any government This
statement is made In all solennity'
with enmity for none and friendship
for all. If II particularly applies TO
Mexico, the application has been d.
rected by the robbery and murder OF
hundreds OF our own people In that
unhappy country who were lawfully
there and were entitled TO protection.
One must admit that these outrages
upon Americans are largely the conse-
Quences OF the wiggling and webbing,
the supine waiting OF our own govern
ment, though the admission neither
helps the hurt, nor gives the hope OF
security for the future while the pres
ent administration remains In power,
OF when one In complete accord sue
ceeds It.
This admonition 10 not directed e1-
ciusively toward our next door neigh.
Dor to whom we would gladly hold
forth helping hand, and whom
primarily. certainly In preference 10
far of peoples In Europe. Asia and
Africa, II 10 our manifest duty TO
serve with a whole heart and gener-
Gus tolerance. II is intended for
plain notice to every government on
the face of the earth that the entire
resources Of this nation are pledged
TO maintain the sacredness Of Amer
lean lives and the just protection az
American properties
Line Of DemarcstIon Plain.
The line Of demarcation between
our attitude and that Of our political
opponents is perfectly plain. The
president has made his position clear
by his acts no less than by his words
Twice there came to him an oppor-
tunity 10 obtain ratification at the
hands OF the senate and twice he put
the opportunity aside, because he
would not accept reservations design
ed solely TO safeguard American
rights. He still holds Article 10 to
be the heart Of the covenant. So does
the Democratic platform. So does the
Democratic nominee. To assume that
the nominee would accept the reserva-
tons rejected by the President and
denounced by the party platform is
to impugn his integrity. To insinuste,
as those who in proclaiming them
selves for the Democratic candidate
insinuate that he would pursue such
a course in seeking ratification is not
to pay him a compliment, but rather
TO challenge his sincerity.
For myself do not question for a
moment the truth OF what the Demo
cratic nominee says on this subject.
He has fatty said be is in favor Of
t.I h. n
the President am not. That is the
whole difference between US, but Il
is most vital one, because II in
wolves the disparity between world
court of justice supplemented by
world association for conference, Oh
the one hand, and the council of the
league, on the other.
The Difference.
The difference between a court OF
justice and the council
created by the league covenant is
simple but profound.
THE one is a judicial tribunal TO
be governed by fixed and definite prin-
ciples of law administered without
passion or prejudice. The other is un
Of diplomats and pOlIti.
clans whose determinations are sure
to be Influenced by considerations OF
and national selfishness
II do not mean 10 say, nor do ]
mean TO permit any such construction,
that would decline to cooperate with
other nations IN an honest endeavor
to prevent wars. Nobody living
would take that position. The only
question Is one of method or Of prac.
ticability within the bounds prescrib.
ed by fundamental principles.
There are distinctly two types OF
relationship. One is an
offensive and defensive alliance of
great powers, like that created at
Versailles, TO impose their will upon
the helpless peoples Of the world
Frankly, ] am opposed tn such
scheme as that and | speak know
ingly when ] say that the associated
powers, with whom we fought the war,
we're reluctant TO accept such n propo.
sition.
II am opposed 10 the very thought
" our republic becoming a party 10
so great an outrage upon other peo-
pies. who have as good right to seek
their political freedom as we had IN
1873 and have the same right 10 de-
eminence under the insplrn.
ton Of nationality as we held for our.
selves.
The Other Type.
THE other type is a society OF free
nations, or an association Of free ma
ions, or league Of free nations, ami
mated by considerations Of right and |