The New York herald., 1920-01-19
ASKS GENERAL WOOD
WHAT IS HIS ATTITUDE ON
PEACE TREATY AND LEAGUE

Every effort is now being made to de-
priye the people of any voice in the mat
ter. Under the pretence that II is the
mere making or a treaty such as the
fathers contemplated when they provided
for the making OF treaties. il is proposed
70 fasten this new and hitherto most OBJ
jectionable policy upon the people of this
country; to bind them to this new task
without permitting them to be heard in
any way whatever. The utmost excite
ment now prevails In certain quarters for
fear this great question viii reach the
people in the next election. Those who
most earnestly insist that the people are
for IL are among the most desperate lest
the people be permitted to vote upon it.
Men rush to the Senate forum or public
rostrum and declare the people want the
league, are overwhelmingly for IL, and
then spend the rest Of the day trying to
concoct some scheme by which to deprive
the people of any opportunity even TO be
consulted. Their acts, IL not their speech,
betrayeth them.
What Borah Asks.
"As you are a candidate for President,
feel there is no iDpropriety in asking
you. and feel you will be glad to state
your position and your views fully upon
these questions.
"First-Are you in favor OF giving the
people an opportunity Ol puESiiiS UPON tfiE
question in the only way now provided by
which they can pass upon it, by bringing
IL before them as an issue in the approach
ing campaign? DO you think Il would be
fair to the people of this country under
the pretence Of making n treaty to adopt
a scheme which would result In the aban-
donment of osir traditional foreign policy
without taking their judgment upon the
matter?"
/ sfEaoopd-Mav ell yOitr xfavye npAp
this entire matter aside from your views
as to the propriety Of submitting II to the
people? Would you as a candidate and as
as President, IL elected, seek to maintain
tho foreign policies of this government
heretofore prevailing, or would you be
willing to abandon them7 Would you lend
your influence and your power as Presi-
dent TO maintain and preserve the policy
OF no entangling alliances with foreign
Powers and no interference OF foreign
Powers with American affairs, or would
you he willing to have the United States
enter into an alliance or partnership OF
league with European and Asiatlc nations'
You are known 10 be man of positive
views. Your calling and your training are
conducive to directness and candor. ] an.
ticipate, therefore, that we shall have nc
difficulty in understanding your position
when you have had time TO make reply
/ Trtcs 10 tOUpie Wltson huu bF!nu.
Senator owen, who is responsible for tn,
conferences of the last few days. ISSUED
n prepared statement tonight in which ht
tries TO reconcile the views of President
Wilson and William J. Bryan on tn,
treaty. and predicts, with more optimism
than most OF the Democrats display. thai
the President will accept any sort oi
League that two-thirds OF the Senate vii
approve.
President Wilson cannot consistently
with his obligations entered into at Paris
intimate TO the Senate any Willingness Il
amend or change the treaty" said Sena
tor owen. THE value OF the treaty h'
must assuredly desire TO preserve
"Mr BRYAN. under no obligations TO The
statesmen of Europe. urges ratification
without delay. and in doing so he rs co
operating with democratic Senators. sn'
4, Is an injustice 10 him 10 charge hin
with trying 10 defeat President Wilson o
to he exercising an attempt 10 contro
/ President Wilson.
! Democratic Senators are trying To pe
| the treaty through with the least impair
I n,ent. and they Overwhelmingly approv,
reservations that will prevent the treat,
or the covenant from being misinter
pieted and they arc using their our
| judgment without being unduly influenced
either 10y MIR. Bryan or MIR. Wilson, bu
sympathize with the Presidents attitud,
and arc pleased with MIR. Bryan's support
"They believe tho President will approve
the resolution OF ratification that Is &C
cepted by two-thirds OF the Senate, be.
cause Il will mean a great victory for tht
democracy Of the world"