South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-11-30
THE HONEST WAY.

once again has former Sen Beverage come to
the front with a speech which tears away the veil
OF politics from the course OF the present admins
tration and discloses necessity Of following the
methods OF woodrow Wilson IN forming League
OF Nations.
In his speech last night Beverage declared that
that people should remember that officer OF
this country can bind the nation except through
open treaty agreed 20 BY the SENATE, the terms OF
which are known 10 every CITIZEN.
The suggestion OF Prest Harding for informal
agreements IN an association Of nations sought 70
dodge the ratification by the senate of any alh-
ances or terms OF International conduct
II Is sought as Beveridge points out, to suggest
70 the country that the honor Of this nation Is
bound UP IN the suggestions Of Sec'y Hughes. ana
that his word and that Of the president may bind
this country to send men abroad to fight wars may
bind congress to junk battleshiPs and refrain
from further appropriations for them.
There Is no question that the people OF this
nation viii demand that this program be carried
out II an agreement IS reached. It is quite as GER
tain that the people as a whole would be better
satisfied II treaties could be made whereby there
will never again be a necessity for another battle
ship. another submarine another great army of mil
lions OF
Whatever agreements are made must depend for
their validity upon the will Of the people who sell
Loot congressman having the sole rover TO make
those agreements effective.
The suggestion Of the president that there be an
association of nations without any formal consti-
tuition binding terms a political meneuver
to escape the ratification Of such course by the
senate OF the United States-and possible split
In the ranks OF his party between those who
merely dubbed over the Wilson league and those
who are opposed in principle to any league.
The greatest value this suggestion is the proof
that Mr.. Harding recognizes the necessity Of an
agreement among nations for the preservation Of
peace for the reduction OF armament, for the pre-
vention OF wars as far possible
These are the purposes of the League OF Nations
which Mr.. Wilson championed and which the senate
rejected.
1t will be noted that the Wilson way the way
OF law and order the method of openness and
trust IN representatives Of the American PEOPLE,
the method Of respect for the constitution and the
integrity of that document.
lie did not try TO a body into which this
nation would enter without the consent OF the law
making body which has the right to pass upon
that question.
The proposed association is admission of the
necessity OF such body. the inevitable remedy IN
less the world to go ahead its old principle Of
balance of power, in which the greedy or strongest
will. from time to time break loose and throw the
world into disorder and destruction.
with Beverage and others who stand for open
ness and frankness calling attention to some very
well defined principles OF government, and
with the president admitting the necessity for
definite contact with other nations It is quite likely
that the demand Tor Disarmament and world re-
construction Will adopt not only the policies but the
very methods OF woodrow Wilson, wounded soldier
OF peace.