Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-04-06
Hl)KE: SMITH SAYS
HIS VICTORY WILL
BRING ratification
Declares Palmer Is Not a
Serious Candidate and
South Is Entitled to Name
Den1oCraCy'S Leader
By EOGERS WINTER

(staf Correspondent of The Journal.)
DALTON, Ga. April 5.-That the
outcome of the Georgia presidential
primary will have great influence
upon the policy and action OF
the Democratic party with regard
to the League Of Nations was one of
the points emphasized with powerful
effect by Senator Hoke Smith in his
speech here this morning.
In spite of snow furries and ex-
tremely unreasonable temperature,
the senator was heard by an audi
ence that filled the courthouse to
it's full capacity and occupied most
Of the standing room in the aisles
and doorways. He discussed in de-
tail his work in the senate, present
ed his views on the League Of Ma
tions, emphasized the fact that At
torney General Palmer's candidacy
is not taken seriously by the Demo-
Gratis of his home state of Pennsyl-
vania, and declared that it was time
1y as well as proper for the Demo-
Gratis of the south to present to the
ma tional convention the name of a
southern Democrat for the presiden-
tial nomination.
Senator Smith was presented to the
audience by Judge NJ. c. Tarver. OF
the Cherokee circuit, who is holding
court here today. The address was
delivered in the noon recess Of court
and the senator was presented by
Judge Tarver at the request Of his
friends, who paid that Difference to
the judge in preference to an extend
ed Introductory speech.
How to Get Ratification
Georgia primary upon the Democratic
national policy regarding the League
of Nations, Senator Smith ventured
the prediction that the treaty would
be ratified within thirty days after
the primary if the Democrats of this
state. party stronghold, indicate
their desire TO have it ratified with
the reservations necessary to safe
guard American interests, instead of
demanding the exact language Of the
covenant without the "dotting Of an
o. the crossing of IT,
For the Democratic party" de-
c1ared Senator Smith, ito write a
platform at San Francisco upon the
theory that the League of Nations
must be ratified without a single
change. and upon the further theory
that President Wilson can do no
wrong and make no mistake, would
be the height of absurdity. It would
be Reputation Of a majority Of
the Democrats in the SEN
ate, and more particularly of the
Democratic senators from doubtful
states. 1t would ALLEVIATE their SYM
pathies from the party and would
place them in a position where they
could not support the party in the
next campaign without reversing
their own attitude.
THE party's wisest course said
Senator Smith, 'is to ratify at once
the peace treaty with such reserva-
lions as are necessary to safeguard
American interests, thereby taking
the treaty out of the presidential
campaign and clearing the way for a
Democratic platform based upon the
constructive achievements of the
party in the past, and looking to
further constructive achievements In
the future. If the. Democrats of
Georgia in the presidential primary
Of April 20 indorse this view, their
action is bound to have a powerful
influence upon the attitude of the
party as q whole. 1t is likely to re-
suit in the speedy ratification Of the
treaty in the senate, for if it is
shown to be impossible to obtain an
Endorsement of the treaty without
reservations from the Democrats of
Georgia, party stronghold, then
manifestly 1t will be out of the
question to undertake such a policy
in the country as a whole"