South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-04-15
Other Editors Than ours
THE PRO-LEAGUE REPUBLICANS.
indianapolis News.)

The pro-eague republicans have at last been
heard from, and it was high time. their letter %
the president they say and with perfect truth. that
the vote for Mr. Harding was not vote against the
League. For they themselves voted for him. and
soemnly advised and adiured others TO do so ON
the ground that by such action and such action
alone, could they make the cOuntry's entrance
into the League That hundreds of thousands of re-
puohcans. favorable 10 the League, accepted that
view. every knows. One OF the signers of the
declaration to this effect issued during the cam
paign Of last year Mr.. Hughes himself the pres
cnt secretary of state
1t has been said that the PRESIDENT feels that
there is no practical way by which the treaty and
the League covenant can be revived. the repub-
leans who have addressed him on the subject re-
mind him that twice resolution conserving D
treaty ratification, with the Lodge amendments
was supported by substantial republican majority
IN the senate. There is reason why the~nlen who
voted for this resolution should not do so again.
There could be no simpler honorable way
out of the difficulty. The trouble that while the
irreconcilables stand by their principles the pro-
league republicans always present yielding front.
livery one knows that Johnson, Borah and the rest
viii refuse TO surrender. and therefore it is that
they abe to exert such influence
1t is not SO with the pro-leaguers. In this very
letter. after showing that the party is not com
mitted against the League. that rather il is COM
mitted 10 IL. and after having argued FOR it most
convincingy. they in this letter say in effect
lhat they are quite willing 10 take what they can
get They argue that the record of the party iust-
fed them I'm their action. and also advising the
American people they did. and refuse To accent
the vote for Mr. Harding a vote against the
League, TO consider the new association as
mandate from the Ieople." Then follows his sur
render:
But. as a question OF merit and feasibility
their present attitude is ore of willingness to
follow the lead OF Pres't Harding Gin whose
wisdom, singleness OF purpose. and high devo-
ton TO the interests alike of our county and
mankind they have great CONFIDENCE whether
10 oe into the League into a association
OF nations that shall have the sanction OF the
craftsmanship of the world and the support OF
tWo-tnrus OF the senate. failing either OF which
Il can not be borne"
In other words. these sdvised and urged
votes for Mr. Harding necessary TO insure en-
trance into the League, the only means by which
that entrance could be insured and now they say
that they viii be quite satisfied with something else
namely "a new association" II IT shall seem prefer
able 90 the president Much more impressive is the
or nationwide poll. reports 90 percent OF the vote
In favor Of entering the League. and IS percent IN
favor of rafyng the Versailles treaty with reser-
Vauons What Influence the eminent pro-leaguers
have sought 10 bring bear on the administration
we do not know. But that they bound 70 do
everything in their power 10 procure ratification OF
the treaty, with reservations is certain.
on the faith or their assurance that many republi
voted for Mr.. Harding Theirs is the liability
OF indOrsers. They said.
The conditions Of Europe make il essential
that the stabilizng effect OF the treaty already
made between the European powers shall not
be lost by them and that the necessary changes
be made by changing the terms the treaty
rather than by beginning entirely anew That
course Mr.. Harding is willing 10 follow"
We trust that events will prove that they were
right The obligation that rests these men -
about as weighty as man ever carried: