New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-24
Johnson's Personal Views

Johnson PERSONAL views
Senator Hiram Johnson, when he
appears on the stump, expresses his
own views and doubtless those of
many Of his hearers, but not the
views of the Republican party or of
its candidate for the Presidency.
Senator johnson says that Sena-
tor Harding has "scrapped" the
league. This is not accurate. The
"scrapper" Of the league Chat is, the
Wilson league) is President Wilson.
Senator Harding voted twice for
ratification on terms the reasonable
ness Of which is commonly admitted.
AS many times the President threw
his influence against ratification.
Thus when the campaign opened the
Wilson league, certainly in an I'M
modified form, was in the discard.
Senator Harding, as a sensible man,
has recognized where it is. But he
did not put it there.
AS if to insure against getting the
Wilson league back from the scrap
heap, the President threw the issue
into politics. He did this though
fully aware that it would take two
thirds Of the Senate to ratify and
that there was no probability of any
party commanding wo-thirds of the
next Senate. Ratification is attain
able only by non-partisan action, yet
he chose to make the issue CT his
league partisan one. Intelligent
friends of the league idea must agree
with Senator Harding that some
thing in the nature of new start
must be made to get any sort Of
league-some plan in regard to
which there will not be irremovable
prejudice and party heat.
The Republican party, by virtue
Of its platform and the declarations
of its candidate, is pledged to do
all in its power to create an inter-
national association for the preser-
walton of peace. What the exact
form Of the proposed organization
will be is not declared. There are no
promises as to this. Promises can
not be made, for their redemption
depends on other nations and on
events which have not happened.
Many object to this as negative, but
it is not possible to be wholly af-
firmative-at least not to the extent
Of launching an Interchangeable plan.
President Wilson tried to do the
business alone. Senator Harding is
not 80 foolish as to initiate him.
Many Americans, of whom Sen
ator johnson seems one, still cling
with passionate devotion to the hope
that our country can return to its
former isolation. This hope is not
likely to be fulfilled. The old, easy
going, careless America seems to be
a thing Of the past. We must face
facts as they exist, assume new re-
| sponsibilities without Sinking. But
nothing definite can be done while
Mr.. Wilson continues as President.
And nothing can be done if Mr.. Cox
Is elected, for he is fatally COM
mitted to the Wilson policy.
There must be a closer interna-
tlonal understanding, a coherent,
efficient league which will make the
world a better and a safer place to
live in. Senator Harding, in his
recent letter to DR.. Schurman, en-
phasizes this. We are going to have
such league. The United States
is going into it. The American
people are going to do their part in
helping to create and maintain it.
But it will not come and can not
! come while Mr.. Wilson and his imi-
tators are in the way.
Among those voting for the league
will doubtless be Hiram johnson, for
on numerous occasions he has said
that he is not opposed to a league Of
all nations, but only to one Of some
nations-favors league fer peace,
end combats only league for war
I ~~~------n---------------. a.
MIR. Gerard Awearv