The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-12-15
A Crisis in the Treaty Fight!

The kellogg anti-war treaty is in grave danger
Blocked again yesterday in the foreign relations COM
mittee of the senate it is threatened with emascua-
tion if not defeat.
This treaty was written by the President of the
United States and the secretary of state Though not
required to do So they wisely sought and received
from senate leaders the Endorsement Of their purpose
before they presented Americas proposal to the world
They then persuaded fty-eight foreign governments
to accept this pact of friendship
Everything was done in the open. There were
no secret negotiations, no secret documents. The
world saw all that done and the world ap-
plauded. The American people, in particular re-
joiced. The thought of opposition in this country
did not arise national election was held and not
voice was lifted against the treaty; it accepted
by both major parties.
Pleased with this course of events the people began
urging that ratification be immediate and unreserved
Through civic organizations, business associations.
churches and clubs the people expressed their wish
that there should be no delay in Americas commit
ment to this American plan.
The press of the country was almost unanimous
in echoing the peoples demand. Never before &C
cording to all Washington observers, such bar
rage of public opinion laid down in the national
capital.
AS soon as congress met the President sent the
treaty to the senate, where it was referred to the
foreign relations committee. The chairman Senator
Borah and practically all members of the committee
we're among those who had consented in advance to
the negotiation of the treaty. Later they had ap-
proved the signed document. They indicated their
intention to report it out at
Then came reports that some senators who had
given public assurance of their loyalty to the treaty
secretly were working against it, They were con-
IN 6efa hv doll hv
or resolutions.
The Scripps- Howard newspapers learned of this
undercover plan and one week ago we undertook to
the country. We called for a public demon
stration Of the peoples desire. We started popular
poll by which the people could speak to the senate
quickly and clearly. The people are speaking-al-
most 100 to l for immediate ratification.
Two weeks have passed since the senate committee
received the treaty. One week has passed since the
Scripps- Howard warning Only one week remains be-
fore the recess for the Christmas holidays.
And today the enemies of the treaty are able to
celebrate their first victory against the people They
have Blocked the treaty in committee. 1t is
the senate floor than it two weeks ago.
Taking courage, one enemy of the treaty has in
troduced a blanket resolution of notification. With
this the others plan to flibuser in committee for
weeks.
Even as this resolution being introduced the
President, at the White House, was issuing warn
ing that such move would be unfriendy and de-
structive act, placing the United States in en-
barrassing international position.
The open enemies of the treaty are few in num-
Der. They include Senator Reed of Missouri Moses
and Shipstead all three of whom, doubt are COM
petey honest in their opposition this declaration
against
But these three alone cannot account for what is
happening in the committee and in the senate. They
have succeeded because they have been Willingly or
unwttingly aided by others. Who the others are or
how many, no knows yet. But by their own
statements twentysx senators are either Indifferent,
undecided or non-c ommttal They are:
"Non-c ommittal'-Binghan Black Blease, Blaine,
Bruce Glenn Hale, Harrison, Johnson Mcclellan,
Robinson of Indiana, Waterman.
Undecided" -Ashurst, Bratton, Dale Hawes Hay
den, Hehin, Kendrick, Odde, Phipps, Trammel,
Wheeler.
Indifferent"-Caraway, Glass Smith
What the people of the country have to do ap-
parently is to end this indifference, indecsion,
unwillngness of the twenty-six openly to declare
themselves.