Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 June 1919 — ANONYMOUS FIGHT ON THE LEAGUE [ARTICLE]

ANONYMOUS FIGHT ON THE LEAGUE

Who is inspiring and financing the circulation of anonymbus letters and circulars against the league of nations? Large quantities of this hostile literature are streaming into homes and shops and offices. It takes the forms of a patriotic appeal to the recipient; it .masquerades as a movement “to preserve American rights and traditions”;

It quotas Scripture, history .and Republican orations; It proclaims a • "holy war" against President Wilson and The Democratic party. Why should persons so full of ' lore ot country be so mysterious —or modest? If these patriots are Incurring so much expense to save their native land, why ahouldn’t they have credit for their noble i undertaking? Why remain anonymous when their fellow citizens would welcome knowledge of their identity? The subtle suggestion In fell these letters and pamphlets Is that President Wilson is wrong In advocating and the Republican leaders are right In opposing the league of nations. They are clearly designed as propaganda for Republican votes. Their purpose Indicates their authorship. They are anonymous evidently because It Is regarded as unsafe to Impose on Republican leaders the responsibility for this manner of bushwhacking. If this method of attack on the league should succeed —but there Is no likelihood of that —Republicans would be the gainers. If It falls, they could escape the odlun\ of having resorted to the meanest of all weapons—an anonymous letter.