Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-02
HARVARD ELEVEN DOWNS OREGON, &c
SEEK attitude
Of Presidential Candi-
dates on League
Republican Senators Opposed to Cow
enant to Ask all to Go on Record
as to Issue lnvolved-Letter Sent
to Gov. lowden, Illinois

as 10 ISSUE invoVeo-1etter sent
to Gov. lowden, Illinois
Washington, Jan. Intention of
Republican senators opposed to the
league Of nations to request all Re
publican Presidential candidates to
place themselves on record as to the
issue involved in the league was dis
closed tonight by Senator Borah, Re-
publican, Idaho. who made public a
letter addressed to Gov. Lowden of
Illinois, an aspirant for the Repub-
lican nomination.
Gov. Lowden was asked TO say
whether he favored any policy
alliance. league or partner
ship $ to abandon our tradi-
tional foreign policy and enter into
combinations which embroil US in all
European conflicts and turmoil sur
rounding"
therefore. when I speak," Senator
Borah said, Il have no intention OF
confirming these and similar questions
to yourself"
Senator Borah charged in his let
ter that powerful European and Am
erican interests were cooperating to
| draw the United States into Euro
pean affairs, through the League of
Nations if possible. and if not, "by
secret and tacit agreements" De-
claring that the questions and poll
cies involved must come before the
next administration regardless of
Americas entrance into the league,
| the Idaho senator said the personal
| views of Presidential candidates
| should be stated.
For nearly hundred and fifty
years." said the senator's letter, I'VE
have in this country, regardless OF
parties, adhered to distinct for
eign policy-no entangling alliances,
or partnerships with foreign powers
and no interference by foreign pow
ers in American affairs. If you
should be nominated and elected
President, would you exert your in
fuence and the influence Of your adj
ministration to maintain this foreign
policy, or would you consent in any
way to it's abandonment or its sub
stantial modification? Do you be-
!. lieye. in other words, that the time
has come when we should abandon
the policy of no entangling alliances,
no partnerships with European pow =
ers. and enter into alliance or under
standings with European powers?
81 ask these questions because re-
CARELESS of what may or may not be
| in the platforms the next admins
tration will have to meet this issue
| in different ways. PoWerIui
forces in this country cooperating
with equally powerful and persis-
tent forces in Europe are determln-
ed to draw the United States into as
sociation and partnership with Euro
pean powers, to embroil us in all Eu-
ropean turmoils and conflicts, to
utilize our young men in policing the
territories and fighting the racial
and dynastic battles of the old world
and placing upon our taxpayers the
burden Of the financial and econom-
ic life of both Europe and Asia and
these forces will continue their ef-
fort to bring about these things after
the election. If they cannot do it in
one way they will do it in another If
they cannot succeed by open agree
ment they will endeavor to succeed
by secret or tacit agreements. We,
many of us, feel therefore, that we
would like to know what your views
are upon this problem and what it
will be your purpose to do should
YOU be honored by an election as
President"
Senator Borah said American op-
erations in Russia were in violation
of the constitution and against the
wishes of the American people but
in furtherance of secret agreement
made at Versailles.
This is but an intimation," Mr..
Borah continued, of what is to hap
pen should we conclude to abandon
our traditional foreign policy and en-
ter into understandings and combi-
nations which would embroil US in
all European conflicts and turmoils.
Our young men would be asked to
sacrifice their lives in just such Sc
cret and unconscionable affairs as this
in Russia. And Mr.. Taft, as I un-
derstand from his public statement,
is in favor of, if necessary, of con-
scripting our young men for that
kind of. service.
Are you in favor of any such pol
icy or of any alliance. league or part
nership which may lead to such a
program? What is to be your policy
with regard to such affairs?"