The Washington herald., 1920-10-23
Europe and League Amendments.

ticians the identity of the Spokesman"
OF France who sought information OF Sena-
tor Harding concerning a possible association OF
nations mpresses much did the discussion
OF whether President Wilson did or did not promise
the aid of our army and navy to Serbia Rumsnia
under the Versailles covenant
OF the earlier controversy The Washington Herald
said that the important thing not whether the
President had promised such aid, but whether the
covenant did in fact compel it. And OF the dispute
raging over Senator Hardings words we are
inclined to think that the vital matter is not the
identity OF the Spokesman" but rather the ques-
ton to what would in fact be the attitude of
France to some substitute for the league suggested
by the United States.
The politicians who are making a fight to carry
the Wilson administration over for another four
years under the aegs of Cox insisting that the
issue is the Versailles league nothing But the
record OF the international discussion does not bear
out this assertion. The league as it is being pressed
by the Democrats not at all to the French taste
originally, and accepted by Cemenceau mainly
concession to President Wilson in return for
concessions made by him. 1t was moreover not ac-
cepted all until the President had agreed. in con-
sideraton Of such action by France, urge on the
Senate the tripartite agreement between the United
States. Great Britain and France for the protection
OF the latter.
When the so-called reservations were under dis
CuSsion in the Senate the spokesmen OF the admin
straton insisent upon the proposition that the
nations OF Europe which had already accepted the
Versailles covenant would agree to its amend
ment in any particular to suit the ideas OF the
United States. This argument, used repeatedly in
debate. based entirely upon the conception by
the pro-Ieaguers OF what they thought the Euro
pean governments ought to do. The first investi-
CATION made which had OF necessity to be unofficial
all the diplomatic channels were held BY the ad-
miniSratOn forces. developed the TACT that both
England and France entirely ready to consider
IN favorable way the Lodge reservations There
could be no government pledge in answer to un-
official inquiries. but it was made sufficiently clear
that the reservations would not be regarded in Fu-
rope as destruction OF the league
The opinion OF the principal league nations at
that time merely oreshadowed their attitude today
The plea that unless we accept the Wilson league
As drawn France and England will hold aloof from
any effort to consttute more workable association
OF nations IS wholly without foundation. 1t is not
to be believed that Elhu Root who has for months
been in Europe on mission OF the highest dipIo-
matte importance, would Immediately on his return
have thrown himself heart and soul into campaign
for form OF international agreement unless he
were convinced that the major countries OF Europe
would accept it
Stephen Lauzsnne, the most distinguished of
Paris editors, and who knows his United
States almost well France says that France
IS entirely Indifferent as to whether the league re-
mains at present constituted or whether its form
IS changed and it is rcbaptzed under another name"
1t IS sufficiently apparent careful observers Of
European affairs that the league is not now flnc
toning TO the entire satisfaction Of its members
Italy holds Fiume and Poland Wilma despite the
distinct ruling Of the league to the contrary The
Jugo-SiavS have seized whole district of Austria
in defiance OF the boundaries prescribed bv the
treaty. The United States not member OF the
league. protests the boundaries between Po-
land and Lithuania but the members OF the league
keep silent.
In the lace of sccumuIstng evidence that the
league as planned needs material amendment il it
IS to be Of any efficiency all it is absurd to seek
to win Presidential campaign in the United States
on the Plea that the document is nfaIlble and that
to suggest changes in it is to estrange all our
former allies