The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-08-07

Cdl pal ~. 1uC CACAuoivC AOCosAVA
was how to avoid rupture in the
Republican organization. The coun-
try received with interest, to say
the least. the announcement from
Chicago, where the national con-
veRtion was assembled, that a plat
form plank, dealing with the sub
ject Of world peace, had been
drawn. leaving out the Lodge res
and yet remaining agree
able to all interests, meaning there
by, the Lodge reservationists, the
mild reservationists and the group
of Republican senators that openly
opposed the League Of Nations in
any form.
G. o. p. Against League.
AS the platform made no definite
committal Of policy and was, in
fact, SO artfully phrased as to make
almost any deduction possible, it
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 def
initely the policy that would be his
il elected.
The Republican candidate has
spoken and his utterance calls
forth the following approval from
Senator Johnson.
Yesterday in his speech Of ac-
ceptance Senator Harding unequiv-
ocally took his stand upon the
paramount issue in this campaign
tho League Of Nations. The Re
publican party stands committed
by its platform. Its standard
bearer has now accumulated that
platform. There can be no misun-
derstanding 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 expresses it,
the Republican party is committed
both by platform in the abstract
and by its candidate In specifica-
ton. The threatened revolt among
leaders of therparty 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.
Lone Peace with Germany.
Senator Harding makes this new
pledge Of policy In behalf Of his
party:
Il promise you formal and eff
fective peace 80 quickly as a Re-
publican congress can pass its
declaration for Republican ex-
ecutive 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-
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 it is
suggested that this be withdrawn.
Suppose Germany, recognising 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
it would be for the express pur-
pose Of insuring q German-Ameri-
can alliance, recognizing that the
allies--in fact, no nation in good
standing--would have anything to
do with either Of us.
Such Peace Dishonest.
This plan would not only be a
piece Of bungling diplomacy, but
plain. unadulterated dishonesty,
rs we'll.
No less an authority than Sens-
tor Lodge said. before the heat Of
recent controversy. that to make
peace except IN company with the
allies would brand us evsrlastink-
ly with dishonor and bring ruin to
u.s."
And thsn. after peace Il made
with Germany. Senator Harding
would. no says. Hopefully approach
the naticiis Of Europe and of the
earth. proposing that unaeesta8d-
iAg which Mqk6s y 3 v11Ijag po1.
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