Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1919 — GUMMINGS RAPS CRITICSUF LEAGUE [ARTICLE]

GUMMINGS RAPS CRITICSUF LEAGUE

Republican Leaders us Senate Makins Themselves Absurd, Democratic Chairman Says. PROUD OF WILSON RECORD Resolutions Indorse I*re»ddent Wilson’s Efforts to Write League Covenant Into Peace Treaty.

folding that President Wilson bad gone further than any of his predecessors in attempting to satisfy senatorial claims for the right to participate in framing international agxaeknents, and that in criticising President Wilson’s plan for a league of nations ’’the senate leaders of the Republican organization are rapidly making themselves absurd,” Homer 8. Cummings, Democratic national chairman, in an address at the banquet given in his honor by Democratic state leaders in the

Riley room of the Claypool hotel in Indianapolis Tuesday night, pointed with pride to what he believed had been Democratic constructive statesmanship of superior quality. Edward G. Hoffman of Ft. Wayne, democratic national committeeman from Indiana, was toastmaster and made an address in which he referred to Senators New and Watson as being “drunk with politics” when they are assaulting the league of nations. Another speaker was Mrs. George Base of Chicago, chairman of the women's division of the Democratic national comimlttee, who spoke of the political aspect from a woman's point of view. On presenting Mr. Hoffman as the chairman, Frederick Van Nuys, Democratic state dhairman, made a speech which brought great applause. He was happy on account of the spirit manifested by the Democratis and predicted intense activity in Indiana by the party, believing that the Republican leaders have left an opening by pursuing an unpopular course against the league of nations. The Riley rodm was crowded with Democrats, not only from Indianapolis, but from all over the state. At the close of the meeting Mr Hoffman made an appeal on behalf of the Liberty loan campaign. Samuel M. Ralston, former governor of Indiana, read the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted “Whereas, the fruits of our victory in the recent war will not be secured unless all steps are taken that can be taken to prevent the recurrence of unjust and unwarranted wars; and ’ “Whereas, the efforts of president Wilson to secure some guaranty of a lasting peace through a league of nations are being hampered by groundless opposition in the United States and «tn the state of Indiana by those seeking a party advantage; and “Whereas, fair-minded libertyloving Americans —men and women —without regard to party, rejoice over the fact that in his masterful leadership for the peace of the world, he is recognized across the seas by statesmen and publicists over there ‘as the genius of mankind,’ seeking peace through justice and for Justice, with' the tranquil

fanaticism of the good’; and "Whereas, we believe with him that efforts for the formation of a league of nations should not become a .partisan question, and we assure him of our desire to have the reasons assigned for and against such a league debated and settled ini this country, free from party bias or prejudice; and, I “Whereas, we commend and honor in unmeasured terms the patriotic and unselfish efforts of men for the formation of a lea 8“ e of nations who do not share the political faith of the present national administration, like ex-Presi-dent Taft and President Lowell of Harvard. Therefore be it "Resolved, that the Detmocrats of Indiana send greeting and Godspeed tto our president and assure him that the .people of Indiana and especially those who bore the real burdens of the war by personal service or through the services of those nearest and dearest to them, are heart and soul with him In this great cause. , „ “That our desire for a lasting world peace transcends all minor and partisan considerations, and we extend the hand of fellowship to men and women of all parties and creeds and .pledge ourselves to subordinate all party consideration in uniting with them to achieve a league of the free nations of the earth So that wars shall be at last eliminated. , "That we bid him that he be not troubled by the clamor of selfseeking politicians against his atanis, but that he stand steadfast until he has written Into the peace treaty

the first guarantee of the civilized nations of the earth that they -will hereafter stand together as one for the preservation of the peace of the world.” In opening his address, Mr. Cummings detailed various important items of legislation which had been . accomplished under the Democratic regime, "which plead eloquently for | the Democratic cause,” and then denounced the “Republican filibuster” at the close of the last session of the senate, saying this aotlon in the face of pending measures of tremendous iimtportance was obnoxious to the public. “The senate abdicated its functions, declined to consider the most pressing of national needs and wasted precious moments In violent ; political abuse and vehement op'po-1 sition to the league of nations,” he said. "The “senate may be strong in protest, but it is weak in per- ’ formance.” Mr. Cummings said that since the war began in Europe in 1914,' “our ears have been vexed by the wild cries of the opposition, proclaiming a superior brand of patriotism., and now at the very first sign of a return to partial authority, the leaders of the Republican party in the house of representatives have selected for floor leader Congressman Mondell of Wyoming, who voted against the tabling of, the McLemore resolution and opposed the selective draft law. -“Senator Penrose is to be chair-. man of the great senate committee of finance, and the reactionaries are dictating the policy of the party. Fordney of Michigan, who voted against tabling of the McLemore ( resolution, is to be chairman of the great committee on ways and means. Porter of Pennsylvania, [ who voted for the Cooper amendment to prevent the arming of ( merchant ships at the time jubmarine attacks were an almost daily | occurrence, is to be chairman of. the committee on foreign affairs. I ‘'Esch of Wisconsin, who voted against war, against tabling tne [ McLevmore amendment and against arming merchant ships, is to be chairman of the committee on interstate and foreign commerce. I •Hhugen of lowa, who voted against war and against tabling the McLemore resolution, and against the espionage bill, and who tried to kill the food survey bill, is rewarded by the chairmanship of the committee on agriculture. Campbell of Kansas, who voted against the food survey bill, the espionage act and the arming of merchant ships, is to be chairman of the great committee on rules. “Good of lowa, who voted wrong on the McLemore resolution, and against arming merchant ships, is to have the chainmanship of the committee on appropriations. And the well-known William Mason of

Illinois, who voted against war, , against the (espionage bill, and whose public utterances are even ( more effective than his votes, is, by a curious kind of irony, to be found on the committee on foreign affairs. “It is a ■ pitiful conclusion to a campaign based on such ardent | promises. It is ah extraordinary , thing that those who were loudest for war seem to be most determined that America shall relinquish the ( duties which have fallen to her lot as a result of the war. During the progress of the conflict how often did we hear on the lips of all our ( people the expression ‘this must be the last war.’ What heart is there , so cold that it does not warm to such a cause? Who will confess that his ardor has been so Chilled that he is willing that America should become a slacker nation and ( attempt to draw back with the task unfinished into the fancied security of self-isolation? “There are some who solemnly assert that a league of nations would not only embroil us in the affairs of Europe, but would force America into future wars. It is extraordinary that meh should waste our time and vex our patience by suggesting the fear that we may be forced into future wars while forgetting entirely that America was forced ipto this war and that this war has not yet been completed. No league of peace was in existence when this war began. “No league of peace existed when we entered this greatest of all wars and it was only when we formed in haste a league of nations under unified command that we were able to win this war. The United States and the allies have, in fact, been operating since America entered the war under a sort of league of friendship bprn of war and held together by the necessity of realizing co/mmon hopes and mutual ideals. This association of nations,

held together by a common purpose,. fought the war to a victorious conclusion, and it is this same league of friendship which dictated the terms of the armistice and Is about > to dictate the terms of the world peace. » . , • “If such a result can be achieved by an informal and temporary association of this character, why should it not be continued in a more definite and binding form and what plausible reason can be suggested for losing the tremendous asset which the world has thereby gained. We shall wait in vain for a satisfactory reply which impairs in the least degree the force of that simple question. The crucial test of those who discuss the league of nations, consists in the attitude which they diclose. Is the attitude sympathetic and helpful or is it partisan and critical? Is the purpose constructive or destructive? Is an honest attempt being made to forward this great project or is it the 'purpose to hamper those who are engaged in the work so that the whole plan may fall Into confusion and become ineffective? ••The friends of the league will find little comfort in the Lodge resolution, signed by the 37 round robin senators. Stripped of its verbiage it is a proposal of postponement. An anxious approval of the idea to .promote peace and general disarmament, coupled with a proposition to dismiss the consideration of a league of nations to 'some remote and vague future, will not deceive even the simplest. The .plain people will have no difficulty .in distinguishing between the real friends of the league, who want * that league established now, and the spurious friends of the league, who plead for delay. “Certain senators endeavor to persuade themselves that Mr. Taft I and Senator Lodge are substantially .in harmony. Quite apart from the .fundamental difference- that Mr. .Taft desires a league of nations established now and Senator Lodge

wants the consideration of it postponed there is still another striking difference. Mr. Taft finds himself able to appear on the same, platform at the Metropolitan opera house with President Wilson to unite with him in a joint appeal to American patriotism to support the league of nations. “On the other hand, Senator Lodge appears on the platform at Boston, debating against President Lowell of Harvard, whose position is identical with that Taft. One must have reached a very low mental ebb to be unable or unwilling to see the difference. Mr. Taft is supporting the president openly and vigorously. Senator Lodge, on the other hand, losses no opportunity to criticise the president. “Of course, I realize that it is gall and wormwood to a partisan Republican to know that Mr. Taft is in mental company with the President, but reactionary senators win have ’to endure the agony of it as best they may. I doubt whether they would welcome any words or consolation from me, but I submit that Mr Taft is doing more to save the respectability and the honor and the very existence of the Republican party than all of the 37 round robin senators combined. No man and no party intentionally placing obstacles in the way of a league of nations will survive long enough to outlive the memory of such an offense against humanity and civilization.” Mr. Cummings argued that tne failure to establish a league of nations would throw the world back on the methods of previous days, and American sentiment no longer desires competitive armaments on a vast scale. In regard to Republican contentions that the senators should have been consulted in advance on the tennis of the proposed treaty, Mr. Cummings said such contentions run counter to our entire history from the Jay treaty to the present time. ~ It has been invariable, he said, that our treaties have been negotiated by our executive and then submitted to the senate for ratification, and that “the only variation from the practice was made by President Wilson himself when, on his return from Europe, he summoned the senate and house members of the committee on foreign affairs to consider the terms of the league of peace covenant before the treaty had been completed and before the terms of the covenant had been finally fixed.” Mr. Cummings ridiculed the Republican “Indorsement of the league of nations coupled with the insistence that it be separated from the rest of the treaty and that its terms be changed on the ground that they are opposed to it in the form now proposed,” as a position leading to grave difficulties. . He thought the bulk of senatorical objections to the treaty grows out of the fact that President Wilson is working for it. “It would rid certain opposition senators,” he said, “of an obscuring mental cloud if they could purge themselves of the animosity which they feel toward the president Such distempers make clear reasoning difficult The senatorial

dlspoeKion to shoot at the president while hie back is turned and while he is engaged in the most difficult and important international negotiations of all times, does not commend Itself to one's sense of fairness.

“It would be altogether better if the Republican leaders in the senate could place themselves more in harmony with the purposes which animate the American people as a whole. It is futile to discuss existing and pressing problems in the language of yesterday. The statesmanship of America, as well as the statesmanship of the entire world, is on trial. America should make her inward unity of purpose manifest to all the world. The present time is as perilous as any period of the war. The heavy responsibilities resting on the president are more easily borne by one who is conscious of sympathetic support at home. Let us have less captious criticism and more lusty Americanism. The president is bending every energy to realize the dearest hope ever cherished by humanity. "The best thought of the world is in accord with this purpose. The ghastly tragedy which has overwhelmed the souls of men, the unspeakable (horror which for four long years has desecrated the face of God s fair field, must be banished forever. All who love America and peace and liberty should take a solemn pride in supporting the president in his efforts to secure a treaty of peace based upon a stabilizing league, so that war may not recur and the standards of justice may be applied to all nations alike.”

In opening the speechmaking, Chairman Van Nuys said the day had been a memorable one for the Democracy of Indiana, and he felt that new and vitalizing forces were at work on behalf of the party In this state.

“I want to say to our distinguished visitors,” he said, “that as long as the keeping of the Democratic party is a sacred trust to such men and women as have gladly and voluntarily assembled in this city today and all the unlimited campaign funds, exaggerated publicity and insidious propaganda of the opposition will neither discredit nor defeat that party for any appreciable time in the state of Indiana." Mr. Van Nuys said he wished that certain gentlemen who have been quoted as indifferent to the future success of the Democratic party could look in on the fine body of assembled Democrats, and then “go home and re-read the vituperation, abuse and snarling cynicism of Colonel George Harvey, and then in the privacy of their home circles decide which political party in Indiana stands square-toed with the progress of world events, the exponent of a healthy and wholesome Americanism. “Over at that exclusive little affair at the Columbia club, the company assembled to have their de--1 sires gratified,- and they were. They brought the one man here who was willing to undertake the job. They brought the one man who bears a puerile malice and peevishness toward the president. They knew in advance what he would say. He was brought here for the purpose of saying it. And he was introduced and applauded by Mr. Goodrich—the war governor of Indiana —while Mr. Wilson, the war president of the United States, who was being abused, was across the seas bending every energy of hi« heart and mind toward an early and equitable and a permanent peace not only for America, but for all the world. “And Senators New and Watson hurry home from Washington to supplement in a more diplomatic way the efforts of this same Colonel George Harvey. “But the opposition had not taken account of public sentiment. It had not reckoned with public opinion It had not inventoried the boys who had seen service overseas. It had not Inventoried the churches of Indiana. It had lost track of the mothers of Indiana who have served and sacrificed and suffered and to the everlasting credit of a vast majority of our citizenship the eclat of the Harvey and the New and the Watson meetings in Indiana is visibly subsiding day by day.”

Mr. Hoffman praised the brilliant record of the Democratic party, which has preserved the spirit of “Old Hickory Jackson.” In regard to the Republicans and the league of nations, he said: “While passing, have you ever seen a more interesting bit of stage tumbling or wabbling in our country over any question than that of the Republicans over the league of nations? If they had been walking in snow you would say, surely these are the tracks of men drunk with wine or politics. Senator Lodge of round robin, fame sobered up when he debated with Dr. Lowell and hasn’t said a word since. But What about our own dear Senators New and Watson of Indiana? Well, still just plain drunk with politics. We have been listening to their speeches the last few days here at home and it is to be noted that when they make their fierce attacks on the straw men erected by themselves, they leave a good level dear field to run back on thereafter. I believe our citizens should begin to apply this test to these senators. • When imen are opposed to a plan they look for the weak points and point them out to the public and When men look with favor upon a plan they seek out the good points and point them out to the public. “Tonight, I desire to ask our Indiana senators if they see any good points in the plan of a league of nations? If they do, then let them be honest and point them out in this discussion; if they do not, then let them say they are against the plan of a league of nations like that Republican brother, Senator

Borah, and that they will vote against such a plan and Indiana will know what to do. Indiana red blooded Americans are tired of this game of straddling.” Shaking of Indiana affairs, Mr. Hoffman said the most memorable day of the late Indiana Republican legislature was the day it adjourned after it had “loafed, quarreled and played politics.”

Mrs. Bass emphasized the importance of women m politics, saying that the events of. the great war had swept women much faster to a greater participation in politics. In speaking of the difference in the attitudes of women and men in regard to "political questions Mrs. Bass said that as a general thing women will pay more careful attention to municipal and state politics than they will to national affairs, as municipal and state politics have more to do with social and home conditions. She denied being an old-fashioned type of suffragist, but said she was called into politics in Chicago on account of the bad conditions there brought about by professional politicians who despised everybody who could not vote. In her opinion, the Democratic party has treated women better than the Republican party has done, and their best prospects are in the Democratic 'party. There was much applause when Mrs. Bass stated with confidence that the Democratic women of the United States would elect a Democratic president next year. She said she could not tell how much influence women would have In the determination of national elections far in the future, but conditions will be such next year, when many women will cast their votes for the first time, that they will be able to choose the next president. She explained that women had been driven into politics, not on account of their abstract desire to participate in politics, but on account of economic and social necessities brought about by the greater participation of women in industrial life.

Mrs. Bass said the women voters did not have the veneration for old traditions, such as Che men voters have, and that the constitution of the United States had such little glamor for them that they would not mind making it over -each year. Also, she said, the women would gladly do away with the Monroe doctrine if its principles could be embodied in a league of nations.