Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-01-24
BOX 5 CHALLENGE
LIKELY To BECOME
CAMPAIGN ISSUE
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Ueased Wire Service to The JournaL)
(Copyright 1924

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-Edward
Box has started something which
may ultimately become an issue in
the presidential campaign. He has
challenged the opponents Of the
League of Nations plan to make IN
alternate proposal that will 'achieve
and preserve" world peace, and he
promises to finance a nationwide
referendum to determine which pro-
gram the American people approve
or disapproVe.
Mr.. Box, in his parting shot to
the senate committee appointed to
investigate his first peace award,
has placed the responsibility for the
next move on the so-called 'Grrecon-
cilable' group. For several years
they have been attacking the cove
nant of the League of Nations. but
without giving any constructive sug-
gestion as to a substitute. In the
1920 campaign, the Republicans de-
clared for IAN association of ma
tions," but no plan for such an in
ternational organization has come
from the administration. William
Gibbs McAdoo, aspirant for the
Democratic presidential nomination.
has indOrsel Mr.. Bok's first award
and no doubt will endeavor to rally
to his side the people who by their
ballots are today indorsing the plan
for the League OF Nations with suit
able reservations safeguarding the
sovereignty and independence of the
United States.
Issue CIouaed in 1920
Will the Republican party follow
the 'Irreconciliables" who want no.
world organization or will it follow
men like Elihu Root, who have de-
clared for a league or association
of nations? The tangle of issue,
and in the 1920 campaign prevented
clear-cut mandate especially since
Republicans like Herbert Hoover,
} Charles Evans Hughes, William
Howard Taft and Elihu Root insist
ed that q vote for Harding was a
vote FOR the League of Nations with
suitable reservations.
President Coolidge in his last
speech to congress spoke of the
league question Is "a closed Incl
dent" but while he may have been
referring 10 recommendations ema-
mating from him as chief executive
or from the secretary of state, he,
of course, had no wish to estOp the
American public from discussing any
practicable plan that might lead to
world peace. Indeed, it is said that
Mr.. Box, at g. conference with Presi-
dent Coolidge last summer, acquaint-
ed the latter with the plans for the
referendum, and that Mr.. Coolidge
was deeply interested in learning the
outcome OF the balloting.
Approximately ninety organiza-
tons, civic and fraternal, religious
and non-sectarian, business, CONNER
cial and social have taken ballots
for distribution among their mem
bers. So alarmed did the ''irreCon
cilable" group become at the aGita-
ton in favor of the League of Ma
tons plan that they pushed through
the senate a resolution of inquiry
as to who was financing the refefen-
dunn. Mr.. Box has told the senate
committee OF his part. insisting that
he was spending his own money,
and that it was his personal affair.
To diVulge the expenditures he
makes in this case would, il sus-
tanned, as matter of right give
the senate the privilege of inquir-
ing into any personal affair, and by
giving publicity thereto. acquaint the
whole world with things that are
essentially private.
Senates Right Doubted
Lawyers in the senate have doubt
ed the senate's right to force Mr..
Box to reveal what he spends IN
philanthroplc enterprise. If, of
course, there were any proof of the
improper or corrupt use of money,
the senate committee might be able
TO compel answers to its questions,
but nothing has been adduCed of
that kind.
Mr.. Bok's readiness to finance a
second award if the senate commit
tee Will act as jury and so through
the $4,000 peace plans and select
a better one is an indication of his
impartiality-he will spend his
money to finance a referendum on
any plan offered as an alternative.
Is the senate committee against all
peace plans or will it pick one that
it thinks IS practicable and secure
the approval of the United STATES
senate Ne. Box stands ready to
sive $50, 900 20 the author Of the
plan selected by the senate commit
tee either as members Of a congress
sional committee or as individuals
and $4,000 when the plan is APP
proved by the senate. for he insists
it should ba a practicable" plan.
The senate committee wasn't look
ing for a Commandment from Mr..
Box. He would be on the defen-
sive, its members thought, and prob
ably would reveal that others had
financed the scheme, but he not only
has shown that he alone has fl
nanced the peace award, but that
he stands ready to finance another
award if The senate committee will
act as jury.
The upshot of the Box episode will
be more discussion of the League Of
Nations or association of nations.
What aIterna tive proposal will be
the ''irreconcilables" to put up their
plan 10 the American people. Thus
does a private citizen, with for
tune which he says he obtained from
the American people, presumably as
the editor of a successful periodical
and wants to give back to them IN
the form of service, turn things up
side down here and force to the front
an issue that so many professional
politicians have declared dead. It
is a striking illustration Of what
private citizen with a diSntereSted