Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1920-09-24
HARDING GLAD
AMERICANS ARE
A FREE PEOPLE
Continued from page Al

unhappy country who were lawfully
there and we're entitled to protection
One must admit that these outrages
upon Americans are largely the con
sequences of the weighing and wob
bling, the supine waiting of our own
government though tn, admission
neither helps the hurt nor gives the
hope of security for the future while
the present administration remains in
power, or when one in complete ac
cord succeeds it.
This admonition is not directed ex.
clusvely toward our next door neigh.
Dor to whom We woald gladly hold
forth a helping hand, and whom DR.
marily, certainly in preference to far
off peoples in Europe, Asia and At
RIGA, 1t Is our manifest duty to serve
with a whole heart and generous toll
erance. 1t is intended for plain no
tlce to every government on the face
OF the earth that the entire resources
Of TINS nation are pledged to maintain
the sacredness of American lives and
the just protection of American prop
critics.
Inc HhC VI ucildTCdllO0 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 opportu-
nifty to obtain ratification at the hands
OF the Senate and twice he put the op-
portunity aside, because he would not
accept reservations designed solely to
safeguard American rights He still
Mods 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 reservations rejected
by the President and denounced by the
party platform is to impugn his integ-
rlty. To insinuate, as those who in
proclaiming themselves for the Demo
cratic candidate and the league with
reservations do insinuate that he
would pursue such z course in seeking
ratification is not to pay him a compli-
msnt bit rather to challenge his sin
certify. For myself, do not question
for moment the truth of what the
Democratic nominee saws on this sub
1ect. He has lately said ne is in
lavof OF gong in on the basis an
nounced hy the President. | am not
That is the whole difference between
US, bat it is most vital one. because
1t involves the disparity between
world court of Justice supplemented by
world association for conference on
the one hand, and the council of the
league on the other.
The difference between a court of
international justice and the council
creased by the league covenant is sim
pie, but profound.
The one is a judicial tribunal to he
governed by fixed and definite princi.
pies Of law administered without pas
sion or prejudice. The other is an as
ISOLATION of diplomats and politicians
whose determinations are sure to be
influenced by considerations of expedi-
eney and national selfishness.
! DO not mean TO s-.v, nor do mean
to permit any such construction. that
| would decline to cooperate with 9th
er nations in an honest endeayor to
prevent wars. Nobody living would
take that position. The only question
is one OF method or OF probability
within the bounds prescribed by funda. |
mental principles.
There are distinctly two types of !
international relationship One is an |
offensive and defensive alliance of
great powers, Ike that created at Yer |
sailles, TO impose their will upon the |
helpless peoples CT the world Frank. !
~, Fam opposed 10 such a scheme as |
that, and ! speak knowingly when | |
say that the associated powers. with |
whom We fought the war, were reluc. |
tant TO accept such proposition.
i am opposed TO the very thought of |
our republic becoming a party 10 so |
great an outrage upon other peoples, |
WHO have a s good a right to seek their |
political freedom as we had in 1916 |
AMI have the same right to developing
emincnco under the inspiration of ma
tionaiity as We held for ourselves.
The other type is society OF free |
nations, or an ASSOCIATION OF free ma
lions. or league OF free nations. ami |
mated by considerations OF right and |
justice. instead of might and self in
teiest and not merely proclaimed an /
agency in pursuit of peace, bat so or. !
sanized and so participated in as to !
make the actual attainment of peace !
a reasonable possibility. Such an as
ISOLATION favor with all my heart and |
/ would make no distinction as to
whom credit is due.
This is proposing no new thing. !
This country is already member of |
such society-The Hague Tribunal
which, unlike the League OF Versailles, !
is still functioning, and within a few
weeks will resume its committee ses.
sions under the craftsmanship of an
american representative.
I'm that body we have the frame
work of a really effective instrument
tally OF enduring peace. The fact that
the tribunal did not prevent the great .
war is, of course, manifest. but the |
cause of the failure is no less appar-
ent. Germany, already secretly deter.
mined upon a ruthless invasion was
able to prevent the adoption of meas |
ures which might have proved effec. !
fDaI Tho condition now &c ybolJy