The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1921-05-27
IMPORTANT NEW FROM THE
T7ONAL CAPITAL
IN OUR WEEKLY LETTER FROM WASHINGTON {.

American sovereignty or involving en-
tangling engagements. In the accept
ance of the Allied invitation, indeed,
ton that the United States would
mainain its traditional policy of alb
stention from participation in matters
of distinctly European concerns"
"Helpfulness," said president Hard
ing in his address to congress, "does
not mean ENHANCEMENT" The aim is
to help Europe, but only in so far as
that can be done without sacrificing
American independence, and to safe
guard American rights which have
suffered through neglect. The admin
istration is convinced that settlement
of the r~eparations issue is a matter
of the highest concern to the people
of this country; that of hardly less
Importance is the firm establishment
of American rights accruing from the
war; and that the only safe, practical
and effectual method of accomplish
ing these ends is to participate in the
discussions and decisions.
The announcement translating these
beliefs into action has been accepted
thruout the country with a calmness
that indicates tacit approval, or, at
least, a readiness to try the method
undertaken. The American people as
a whole seem not greatly alarmed by
the proposal that the United States
act in peace with the nations beside
which it fought in the war.
Much less serene is the mood of
the "irreconcilable" senators, the "bit-
ter enders" whose doctrine is the alb
solute isolation of this country from
the rest of the world. They are agi-
tated and resentful, because they fear
that the country is being seduced into
a path leading toward the league and
it's pitfalls. Their earlier reliance
upon President Harding as an ardent
member of their group has been
strained several times. They looked
for him to declare in his address for
national isolation, and he suggested
engaging under the existing treaty."
The Knox resolution was toned down
at his request. Their recent an
nouncement that all thought of rec
ognizing Versailles treaty had been
abandoned was promptly declared to
be The decision to resume
membership in three Allied bodies was
q DloW "lllII1 IA VI tISIl odlu, ilduC
them "sick at heart" And following
adopted without a protest, that the
Knox resolution be indefinitely post
poned.
1t is not surprising that these sena-
tors feel perturbed, for their convic-
tons are inspired by the deepest pa
triotism and utter sincerity. Yet we
think they have expected too much,
in view of President Hardihg's repeat
ed advocacy Of safe measures of CO.
operation with the Allies. At the for
mer session the Republican majority
voted three times for ratification of
the treaty, and for the league owe
nant, too, with reservations. After
that, the decision to take membership
in the Allied councils, excluding the
league and all entangling commit
ments, seems hardly terrifying. Our
own Judgment was expressed weeks
before this course was suggested:
The essential thing has not been the
establishment of this country's isola-
ton, but the preservation of it's free
dom of judgment and action. That
principle has now been made abso-
lutely secure. But, possessing that
freedom of judgment and action, the
United States not only possesses the
right, but bears the obligation, to ex-
ercise it. The power which this
try has reserved is as valuable as the
immunity it has established. Precise
ly because the United States has pre-
served it's freedom it is able to take,
and obligated to take, a decisive posi-
ton in support of just causes.-Phil.
No. American.