Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-10-03
SUNDAY. OCTOBER 3. 1920.
Confusion Worse Confonnlsl

Confusion Worse Confonntlel
FORMER Senator Elihu Root wrote the
treaty plank in the Republican plat
form. II was artfully constructed to hold
all shades OF Republican opinion to sup
port OF the Republican tiCkei--to catch EN-
a=goin and a-Comn'. so to speak Ii was
broad enough to admit of any kind or in
depreciation that differing opinions within
the party as to the merits OF the league
might see fit TO place upon it. Naturally
the constructions placed upon il by indi-
vidual Republicans have been in accordance
with their own views Of what 1t ought to
mean. Those in sympathy with the plan
of the league have accepted it as admitting
or q going in" with reservations. The
irreconcilablcs awaited the acceptance
speech of the party's nominee for President
before announcing their attitude toward
tue ticket. Following this speech and sub
sequent uttcrances by the candidate on the
subject leading irreconcilables announced
they would support the ticket.
In the meantime, the author OF the plank
went TO work as ono OF q committee of
hague jurists TO create n court of inter-
national justice. This committee evolved a
plan for such court, but it is so inextric-
ably bound up with the league of nations
that it would be impossible for it to func-
ton independent of and outside it,
This work completed. the author OF the
treaty plank in the Republican platform
has returned home, to discover that the
party's nominee for President has so COM
pletely balled up the situation with respect
to the Republican attitude toward the
treaty that he himself, committed as he is
to league acceptance by virtue OF its rela-
tionship 10 the court of international JUS
tice, which he helped to create, is unable
to ascertain ,-wfere he is at in The game
OF duplicity that was sought TO be put over
the voters OF the country. Hence he has
retired within himself for Il season Of medi-
tation and prayer for deliverance from the
complicated situation in which he finds
himself involved.
no add still further 10 the troubles which
confront the e. o. =. leaders, the candidate
has continued 10 wabbe all over the treaty
plank OF the platform until he has got all
phases OF party opinion guessing as to just
where he does stand on It, He refuses
TO stay put on any previous definition
OF his position. lie changes with chame-
leonlike frequency.
Hence II comes about that not only is
Elihu Root up in the air, but Taft and
numerous other distinguished Republicans
who want the United States 10 enter the
league. but with reservations are milling
around, not knowing exactly what to say
or DO TO maintain the semhlance OF con-
sistency and at the same time give their
support TO the ticket. Il is a pretty kettle
OF hsh the candidate IS stewng up for them
But even this is not tho wors, Of the
party's troubles. The leaders OF the ire
conci!ab!e faction have sulked in their
tents They were perfectly willing TO see
the Republican game OF dupcty played
upon the voters Of the country, but they
refuse to be relcgatcd into the role Of
dupcs themselves They have discovered
that the Republican nominee means TO
break la'th with them on their understand
Ing or his position respecting the league
In the event of his election Hence. they
are as mad as wet hens in Il summer storm
Ihey Will not stand for any further dccep-
ton They are calling for an unequivocable
showdown; whereat there is confusion
and agonizng at G. O. L. headquarters