Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-10-15

LaFOllette Hanks
Way Back in Raps
At Other Parties
st. Louis. Mo. Oct. 14.--SeGaior Rob
crt NJ. LaFollctte, independent candi-
date for president, discussing foreign
relations in campaign speech here,
declared that the complete abandon
mcnt of the true American foreign pol
icy came under the administration or
Woodrow Wilson and had been contin-
ued and expanded under the present
Harding Coolidge administration"
1T is true" the Wisconsin senator
said that our departure from tho tra-
ditional American policy Logan Wt'H
the development of imperialism UNDER
William Mckinley, following the Span
ish- American War The breach was
broadened under Roosevelt and Taft"
Speaking in the Coliseum where
Woodrow Wilson was renomnated for
the presidency in 1916, senator aFol-
]ctte told his audience tina: Wilson
was elected as an anti-imperialist and
two Years OF his administration TO
check the tendency towards imperial
ism 10y using his influence for Philip
pine Independence. by curhing the en-
tension of the dollar diplomacy and ny
his attitude toward the Mexican reVo-
lut lion"
when war was declared IN Europe
in the summer of 1914" continued Mr.
l.aFollctte, president Wilson declared
for absolute neutralitN-ncutr aIity ia
thought. word and decd This was a
true American policy. Ir this doctrine.
had been adhered To we would never
have been drawn into the war. We
would be free from every form Of for
ciEn ENHANCEMENT. We would have
avoided at home the dire consequences
of the last few years.
"SiXtH thousand American boys
would still he alive. We would have
no colossal war delft. We would lie
free from our heavy burden of ta\a.
ton. We would have no problem Of
caring for hundreds of thousands of
wounded, diseased and shcn-shock4d
Veterans. We would not have Amer!-
can agriculture PROSTATE and demand
ing speedy relief.
I'VE would have no such conc,nrra-
ton of wealth in the hands of Il few as
"" have witnessed in recent wears
Above all, we should have proved our
proud distinction Of q nation stead
Easily devoted to peace
Had the plain principle Of intarna-
t1onal law announced by Washington
and jefferson been followed we ,ould
not have been called upon to declare
war upon any of INC helligcreat ma
,'ons OF Europe. The fatal error came
IN the failure OF Woodrow Wilson 10
treat the belligercnt nations of Europc
anNe-'he failure t" kcject the unlaw-
1ul war zones of bSh Germany and
Great Britain"
Asserting that the foreign policy OF
me tnited States at present is being
dictated and controlled by the same
forces which were responsible for tho
abandonment and withdrawal of
American neutrality during the war
MI. LaFollette continued:
IL Is my opinion that the private
monopoly system was primarily res
punslble Tor the abandonment of our
traditional foreign policy: that this
system forced US into the world war:
mat this system Is now driving us mt
nreakneck speed along the paths of
lmeprialiSm that led inevitably TO
war and to the ending of free govern
mont at home rs well.
u am convinced--T was convinced
AT the beginning--that we abandoned
our policy Of neutrality through tho
lnhuence of j. j. Morgan d CO.. the
fiscal agent of the British Empire
who. in the early spring Of 1917
turned loose the press and agencies
OF propaganda to drive us into war.
At this time. the credit Of the al
lies with the firm of J. J.. Morgan
d 60. had been overdrawn to the
extent of $500, 900 while contracts
to the amount of $500. 900 900 more
were maturing. which could only no
paid by bringing America into tho
war. Hundreds Of other banks were
If the same spurious position. They.
too. had underwrittcn British and
French bonds.
lf the allies were defeated. these
ceLts would not be paid. The bonds
OF the allied countries would he
worthless. The house Of Morgan
could only be saved by being under
written by the United States govern =
ment.
This was done 1t was this reason
that America abandoned the policy
OF Washington, the policy Of .Jeffer-
son. the policy Of every president of
the American people for one hundred
Years
Then came the treaty Of Versatile
1t was TO end war. Instead. II is the
mother Of war. 1t gave Great Brit
ain command d the ses and of Afri-
ca. Asia and the resources of tho
world as well. II made France n
iniiitaristic. imLerilistic power. IL vi
ciated the terms Of the armistice--an
armistice entered into in good faith.
by Germany at least, and to which
the victorious ntions were in honor
pledged.
The treaty Of Versailles is a treaty
or shame. By rea son Of it, the assur-
ances OF the American people to 81 de :
feated foe became scrap Of paper.
Nj Europe was made finder box
ready 10 burst into fame as result
Of this dishonorab!e treaty which
must be revised IL peace Is to again
reign on the earth"