The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-06-13
OFFENSIVE ATTITUDE
Of LEAGUE NATIONS
49, PARTISANS
AAAA

One of the most offensive features r
of the agitation in behalf OF the p
Ieague of nations is the constant tier
alton of the assertion that opposition v
to the league was and is based upon r
craftsmanship. This assertion is re
heated in an address by Former Jus
tice Clarke, president of the Le9N
of Nations Non-partisan association
He assumes that if partT politics I
were eliminated. the United States
would join the league of nations.
He said:
"The change in wcrl6 conditions,
the different thing which. the league
has proved to be in practice from
what it was thought To be IN theory,
and the moral obligation of the prom
Uses upon which he was elected, all
lead us to urge the president to defy
the little group Of ambitious men In
the senate, and by one bold stroke of
leadership lift this fateful question
out of party politics and restore our
country to its rightful place In the
family of nations"
If Mr.. Clarke can see in changed
world conditions an argument in favor
of American membership In the
league of nations, he is a seer in
deed. The changes in world condi-
tions since the league was founded
tend to show the unwisdom of the
covenant and the wisdom OF American
avoidance of the league.
1t is true that the league is differ
emit in practice from what it was
thought to be in theory, and this fact
also confirms the good Judgment of
those who opposed the league; for in
practice the league does not even
accomplish the theoretical good that
is in the covenant, such as agree
ments for reduction of armament.
MIR. Clarke would use the moral
obligation of the promises upon which
he was elected" as a reason for urg-
ing President Harding to call upon
the senate to adhere to the covenant
of the league. If anything was made
plain during the campaign, it was
MIR. Harding's position against the
league of nations. 1t is difficult to
be patient with the argument Of a
mar who so completely misconstrues
the moral OBLIGATIONS arising from
Nh. Harding's pledges. Only a few
days ago in New York President
Harding said:
ION August %, 1920, speaking or
the league of nations proposal, ] said
frankly and very definitely / did not
favor the United States entering the
league of nations. . In compli
ance with its pledges the new ad.
ministration, which came into power
in March, 1921, definitely and decis
lively put aside all thought of th'
United States entering the league o.
nations"
In view of these and other proof
that might be cited, which are known
of all men, it is incumbent upon MI
Clarke to withdraw his misleading
statement regarding the moral oh
legation and promises upon which b
(Mr. Harding) was elected"
The simple truth is that oppositio
to the league Of nations takes n
account of parties. 1t is based upo
American traditions that have thei
roots in all parties. 1t is good Den
ocratic doctrine and good Republica
doctrine. 1t is pure Americanisn
Hence, when it is miscalled partisan
ship, the only persons who go wron
are those who mistake Americans
for p~artisanship.
"All party differences should ste
with US al the waters edge" sa!
Mr.. Clarke. That is a noble Anne
lean sentiment, in which millions
Republicans and Democrats join,
when they voted for President Har
ing because he promised to ke
America out of the league of natoI
The insinuation by league adv
Gates that they are the only real Q
triots, that opponents of the leag
are merely partisan distractions
and that the United States is on a Il
plane because of partisan refusal
join the league, is a gratuitous
suit to millions of patriotic Anne
cans.-Washington Post.