South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-04-09
Other Editors Than Ours
HOW WE ARE TO KNOW.
GTt. Wayne Journal Gazette.l

That the visit of Vivian has served to acceler-
ate the administrations definition OF its purpose
as to peace and the league and the mysterious
association or nations IS shown in the announce
mcnt which seems authentic enough TO accept
that Prest Harding will make his position clear in
ms message TO congress next week.
The politicians, if rumOr 81 eaks truth, appear
have about decided upon their program in the in
terest of party harmony, but alas there
many Americans who not politicians, and so
many party agencies that not congressional
politicians. Thus find the Boston Transcript and
the Philadelphia Public Ledger, both ardent in the
support OF Mr. Harding, declaring themselves
tremendously on the same day. And the marvel
of it is that they both predict their divergent
views upon the claim that they speak the language
CT the candidate of year
The suIerciliOus gentleman of the Transcript
warns that there is nothing to do but TO scrap the
League any kind Of association, and declare 4
separate peace; while the Public Ledger is quite
solemn in its warning that the people expect what
they prom!sed-and that, the very opposite
TO what the Transcript understood the promise
TO be.
In this debate of the party organs the Transcript
seems to have the facts and the logic its side.
Perhaps prejudiced. Throughout the pro-
longed debate of the campaign between Taft and
Johnson were unable to believe in the sincerity
of the former. The bitter-enders won at the Chi
oagO convention, and nothing said by Pres't Hard
ing after the convention could possibly have just-
fed the confidence OF politicians like Mr. Taft
party organs like the Public Ledger
The present program is to pass the separats
peace resolution of Sen. Knox. with the possible
TO the rescue of France under conditions similar
hose OF the late war. This. preceded with
thortatve declaration from the president that
shall enter the League Of Nations will be hnai.
Mr.. Taft and the Philadelphia Public Ledger
will thus be placed in the unenviable position Of
having been stupid dupes gay deceivers in the
late campaign Nor is-this the only point in
fusion.
The two wings Of the dominate PARTY are not
Topping i'm harmony in the Interpretation of the
Hughes note relative 10 reparations The general
ID Is mi o
the extent of her ability That the position of
France and England and all the allies. But-thc
Knox contingent here comes forth smirkingly 20
point their finger to the fact that the administra
lion has indicated its aoquiesence the French
View point as 90 Germanys capacity TO pay.
Indeed the enemies OF the treaty and the friends
Of Germany in this controversy with the allies
Sleefuly insist that this radical reduc-
ton in the amount of the indemnity be paid.
L may mean that the administration viii stoutW
insist that Germany to the extent of her ability
90 pay she herself passes upon the extent OF
her capacity. And this may not be at all satisfac
tory Viviani Al any rate the Frenchman has
fastened the decision. The PROPOSED amendment
to the original Knox separate peace resolution is
as follows:
1T shall be the declared policy of our gov
eminent. in order TO meet fully and fairly
obligations 10 ourselves aid to the world. that
the freedom and peace OF Europe again being
threatened by any power or combination of
powers the United States will regard such a
situation with grave concern menace TO
its own peace and freedom. will consult with
other powers affected with view devising
means for the removal OF such menace, and.
the necessity arising in the future. will carry
out the same complete accord and cooperation
with our chief Co-belligerents for the defense
Cd civilization"
This means a public declaration Of the fact that
not 90 remain aloof from European
ranglements and 10 means that in the event OF
euother serious European wax. stand pledged
to enter the and fight again foreign battle
ields. IL means American boys will be again
scriptcd 20 fight in "EuroIes quarrels."
And 10 differs from the obligation I'm the League
q Nations i'm that in the latter would re in
position 20 enectually contest such moves OF the
European statesmen would tend toward the
in which we would be obligated TO participate,
while under the Knox plan would stand aside
with folded hands Until European diplomacy Iai
made ineyitahle-and then enter
IN brief. the League would place in position
10 help prevent war. The Knox I.lan merely makes
Il obligatory upon Us 20 enter the taat Europe
makes Inevitable