The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-04-12

Such actions would be the simplest
keeping of faith with ourselves, and
could in no sense be construed as a
desertiOn of those with whom we
shared our sacrifices in war, for these
powers are already at peace.
Such a resolution should undertake
to do no more than thus to declare
the state of peace, which all America
Graves. 1t must add no difficulty in
effecting. with just Preparations, the
restoration for which all Europe
yearns. and upon which the worlds
recovery must be founded. Neither
former enemy nor ally can mistake
Americas position, because our atti-
tude as to the responsibility for the
war and the necessity for just repair
ations already has had formal and
very earnest expression.
1t would be unwise to undertake to
make a statement of future policy
with respect to European affairs in
such a declaration of a state of peace.
In correcting the failure of the execu-
tive, in negotiating the most important
treaty in the history of the nation, to
recognize the constitutional powers of
the senate We would go to the other
extreme, equally objectionable, if con-
gress or the senate should assume the
functions of the executive. Our high
est duty is the preservation of the con-
stituted power of each, and the pro-
motion of the spirit of cooperation so
essential to our common welfare.
1t would be idle to declare for sep
arate treaties of peace with the CEN
trail powers on the assumption that
these alone would be adequate, be-.
cause the situation is 50 involved that
our peace enga geGlents cannot ignore
the old world relationship and the
settlements already effected, nor is it
desirable to do 20 in preserving cur
own rights and contracting our future
Relationships.
Confirm Z. S. Rights.
The wiser course would seem to be
the acceptance of the confirmation of
our rights and interests already pro-
vided and to engage under the ex-
listing treaty, assuming, of course,
that this can be satisfactorily accom-
plshed by such explicit reservations
and notifications as will secure our
absolute freedom from inadvisable
commitments and safeguard all our
essential interests.
Neither congress nor the people
need my assurance that a request to
negetiate needed treaties of peace
would be as superfluous and unneces-
sary as it is technically ineffective,
and 1 know in my own heart there is
none who would wish to embarrass
the executive in the performance of
his duty when we are all SO eager to
gratifying accomplishment.
Problems relating to our foreign re-
lations bear upon the present and the
future, and are of such nature that
the all important future must be de-
liberately considered, with greater
concern than mere immediate relief
from unhappy conditions. We have
witnessed, yea, we have participated
in the supremely tragic episode OF
war but eur deeper concern is in the
continuing life of nations and the de-
velopment of civilization.
We must not allow our vision to be
impaired by the conflict among our
selves. The wearipess at home and
the disappointment to the world have
been compensated in the proof that
this republic will surrender none of
the heritage of nationality. but our
rights :. iii International relationship
have to be asserted; they require es-
tablishElent in compa cts of amity: our
part III reimbursement and restoration
cannot be ignored, and must be de-
fined.
With the super governing league
definitely rejected. and with the world
so informed. and with the status of
peace proclaimed at home. We may
proceed to negotiate the eovenanted
relationships so. essential to the
recognition of all the rights every
where of our own nation and play
our full part in joining the peoples of
the world in the pursuits of peace
once more. Our obligations in effect
ing European tranquility because of
wars involvements, are not less i'm
Polling than our part in the war itself. |
This restoration Elay be- wrought be- |
fore the human procession can go on
ward again.
We can be helpful because we are
moved by no hatreds and harbor no |
fears. HelPfulness does not mean en-
ton I'D tt.,sr. T.
nomic adjustments dees not mean
sponsorship for treaty commitments /
which do not concern us and in which |
we will have no part. In an all i'm