Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-11-12
ONE MORE OPPORTUNITY

Republicans refused to work with Woodrow Wilson in
his efforts to bring about disarmament and worldwide
peace through the establishment of a League of Nations.
They not only refused to work with him, but they did every
Thing they could to prevent him carrying out his purpose.
They were able to thwart his efforts through their control
Of the (nate.
ButXhe people would have disarmament. The Republic
cans, having rejected the Wilson plan as too visionary and
idealistic, were given full control of the government to show
what they could do. Through vague references to an 'as-
ISOLATION of nations and because of the confidence that the
people had in such men as William Howard Taft, Charles
Evans Hughes and other national figures who, while favor.
ing a league of nations, declared that a Republican admins
tration would accomplish the same purpose in a better way,
the voters took them a. their word and gave them the oppor-
tunity they sought.
In the meantime, the League of Nations as planned by
Woodrow Wilson was organized and began functioning. 1t
lacked only the cooperation of the United States to make it
a complete success. As it is, the league has accomplished
much and is going stronger all the time. By its very exis-
fence it has disproved the charge that it was to be a super
state, depriving the member nations of their national indi-
vidualty. On the contrary, it stands ready today to take
hold of any decision that the conference now in session in
Washington may reach and see that it is carried out. 1t is
really the only world wide organization in existence that
can make any international agreement worth while.
But after the Republican administration took up the
reins of government there was a tendency to forget the sug-
gestion of an association of nations. The demand for dis
armament was at first ignored. President Harding seemed
to be only luke warm toward such a movement.
But the people were determined. Public opinion was
aroused. The awful burden of taxation was pressing and the
taxpayers insisted upon being heard. After futile efforts to
hold up a resolution introduced in the senate by Senator
Borah calling for a conference Of the three great naval pow
ers, Great Britain, the United State and Japan, to consider a
eurtailment in naval construction, the administration was
finally compelled to consent to a resolution calling for gen.
eral disarmament. The international conference which con-
yenes in Washington today is the result.
Here, then, is the Republicans big opportunity. Not
that the conference is a partisan affair with the Republicans
supporting it and the Democrats opposing, but it is partisan
in so far as the Republicans, having prevented a Democratic
administration from carrying out its plans for disarmament,
are going about the same object in their own way believing,
doubtless, that they can succeed where the Democrats would
have failed.
Be that as it may, the whole world today is turning anx-
iously to Washington, hopefully and prayerfuny. The peo-
pie care not how it comes or who is instrumental in bringing
it about, as long as they see definite progress toward the end
ing of wars and the consequent lessening of the tax burden
that wars and preparations for war mean.
Having refused Woodrow Wilson an opportunity to
make good, it is for Warren G. Harding, as representative
the Republican party, to show that it can be constructive as
well as destructive. This is the administrations great OPP
portunity. Our civilization is in its keeping. 1t has the best
wishes of the world behind it. America once more takes
her place as a world leader, only this time under a Repub-
lican regime. Seldom does opportunity like this knock twice
at one door. 1t must not be lost.