Rock Island Argus., 1920-02-23
WASTE Time
# LEAGUE IS
MADE ISSUE
Merely Confusing to Pub
| Lie, Mind Already Made
Up, Says Hoover.

ii. Hoover, former food admlnistra-
4 sSor. declared today in an address at
ajohns Hopkins university his op-
bosition to making the ratification
III the peace treaty with Germany
u In issue in the presidential cam
s haign. He insisted the injection of
j HE arguments for and against res
kryations would Obscure our press
4 Ing domestic issues by conflict over
question in which the country al
Ready has made up its mind,' and
III ided 1T is my impression that
sere is no party credit in this
f'osition."
III Hope for immediate reservation
N ID the treaty rested, he said, in the
acceptance by the lesser reserya-
ii onists" of the proposals of the
mild reservationists" The two
4 combined, he said, could secure rat
4 tfcation.
at also appears to u.s. he con-
yIinued, that even from the point
Iof view of the lesser reservation
.sts they will have secured all of
he major functions and values of
i 1he league. If it be put into being
\ Ind if it prove its living value in
khe world no one can doubt that
#kny necessary changes will be
&Isranted to it by common consent as
Ithe years go on. For my part, if
1.-The league can not prove its value
under the latest proposals on the
1.-THE mild reservations it will nev-
1 er prove them under the proposals
I II the lesser reservationists'."
Slow Decsy in Europe.
The present danger Europe is IA
ling, Mr.. Hoover said, is not SO
much a revolutionary cataclysm as
hs steady degeneration of the
tandard of living and the SLOW de-
ny of the forces OF stability" Re-
ored productivity, he insisted, is
ssential il the allies are to receive
he maximum reparation.
Until then we shall not have real
peace," he said. at will be delay
bd as long as we hang the treaty
n the air, for we are part OF it."
Need No Demonstration.
Il do not believe the adherence
pf the American people to the
league requires any demonstration,
be continued. Il believe that the
majority o. ur people are convinc-
ed of the necessity Of reservations
with the league. Both parties to
he conflict appear to concede this.
In the meantime the world is held
IN suspense. Infinite misery goes
pn accumulating. Forces are set in
notion that may yield new conflicts.
already the distrust and under
mining Of confidence and credit in
The world has crippled our export
market"
Regarding the part the United
States will take in the rehabilita-
= ion Of Europe, Mr.. Hoover coun-
elled moderation. Eve have two
Extreme views among our people"
be said, upon the policies we
hould adopt in all these matters.
)ne contends that the ideal is isola-
Jon, leaving Europe to herself; the
pther contends for at least moral
animation as a mission of inter-
aational justice. Many of US want
elther extreme"
For Armament Reduction.
Assuming that the treaty would
. ratified some day" in "some
ofm.' he expressed hope that il
nlght serve to bring about a re-
uctlon of armament and the de
elopment of engines of concilia-
ION. of arbitration and codes and
ourts OF international justice"
Except where the interests of the
nited States are vitality concerned
80. Hoover declared himself as op-
osed to American members on the
srious missions provided for in the
'as eaty Tor the settlement of Ques-
n ons raised by the war. The loan
9 OF money except to alleviate dis
ess was also opposed.
'our best assistance in healing
arope's economic wounds lies in
& e promotion Of the great pro.
sses OF private commerce" he
o. not in loans from our gov.
hment."
n Mr. Hoover's address was deliv.
Y ed at the annual commemoratior
Il Y exercises Of Johns Hopkins uni.
tsity' at which the degree of doc.
VI laws was conferred upon him