I
f AUGUST, 1920
The Commoner
-a . rYxAiuVi -
Placing thefjlame
e World-Herald (Omaha) displays more
trfstfom in its news columns than it does on the
Mitorlal page. A recent issue, , contains the
following dispatch from Washington: .
"Washington, D, C., Aug..l. Do,es Europe
bee an engulfing war'stfclfr as she-has just
merged from or will- tM Polish crisis blow
Authorities here on European-affairs fear that
jo such good fortune will come. They believe
that instead of 'blowing over the Polish" affair
par develop into ft second, world war, bringing as
lis awful consequences a union between Rus
pan sovietism and the German people, and all
Ike ruin that a militant, alliance between thoso
Itojtlious forces would be expected to bring.
"Washington is worried as1 it has not beeja
linccthe dark days of ,early'l917-f-not that we
wonld have to take a. hand 'jn--the conflict at
ia early (Tate, or that yo ever' would have to
to so. Si
"What is to blame for thiscoridition?
"Washington knows the " answer full well.
It was the failure of the' allied nations to clinch
the victory earned with arms by- a quickly con
summated yeace. And this, nation, Washington
admits, was the only nation -which held back
and refused to ratify the -peaco treaty. It was
lhls that gave heart to Germany, it was this
Hat made it impossible- for England and France
and Italy to deal firmly, with 'Russia, and it was
this that made small nations of Europe hope
ful for the dawn of a new era', realize that no
Each era will come until the 'great liberty-lov
ing nation, the greatest democracy of the world,
tame whole-heartedly into the agreeinent to
promote world peace. ' '
"Ratification of the peace-treaty a year ago
by the United States would- have created a vast
ly different situation in Europe. Without ques
jlon it would have spared that 'continent vast
embarrassments which .have conVe upon, it in the
year of indecision by the Xjriited States. The
Ideals of peaco tliat obtained' then ideals
founded wholly uponthe American conception
of international relating have been shattered
abroad as it has been seen that partisans in our
own country were assailing them. JFor what
chance had the doctrine of unselfish world
Peace, when the means to produce it was being
attacked savagely at tire very fountain head?
"In other words, so Washington sees the fight
made in America against the league of nations,
which was destined ,to bring wprld peace, en
couraged the foes of vthat leagtie abroad, and
made it possible for them to sow the seeds of
discontent upon0 which the present crisis is
founded. Ratification .of --the peace treaty,
Jhen it was submitted , to' this nation, would ,
wve prevented this, so Washington officials
finuly believe, and, they, are "more chargrined
nan by any merely partisan consideration that
tfl'3 is the case. Nor .are they, alone chagrined
--they are fearful .lest out of it will come an
Jtber war into -which ;we' inuist . inevitably be
awn and which . may have-an outcome so
forcible that notreven the staunchest soul dare
contemplate it now." ""
-
On March 19, 1920,-3lJtepiiblican Senators
jnd23 Democratic, .senators" voted (or wee
Jared) in favor of RATIFICATION with reserva
ions that they accepted but -Senator Hitchcock
rr?J9 other Demoorat joined with 19 IRRE
S2LABLE enemies of the treaty and DE
BATED RATIFICATION, Who is responsible
JJ our nation's failure to enter the League of
Jaons and for the' wart that may follow the
'senators (34 Republicans and 23 Democrats)
J!i Wed to ratify, or the 39 senators- (24
2?Crats aml 15 Republicans) who prevented
cation? Did Senator Hitchcock and his 10
2 ??es act Bo .their own' judgment or
m they follow ,the President's instructions?
;.' - "- W? J, BRYAN.
drxs osk rattENn fc
U AssociatedcPress dispatches , of August
p2J tl1 shocking news ol the death' of J.
canJn ?anly former; governor of Indiana and
Jjndidate for president. oil the Prohibition ticket
wX ' yrho waa killed when an automobile
jcu waa carrying him" to a speaking appoint
TL as struck hy a'traln near Dennlson, Ohio.
governor Haulyoneecrated his great ability
a rare tant to tcTflgM -against the saloon
d'oXja -urage to
value to his county 'and coSut d T Trio
hTZ t0vtU fCUrlne of tiona ' oldh tS
His ripe experience and increasing preX
prohibU ion' Z7 ln, th6 !arger 6W fo?! fed
grievous loss to our cause. I share the sorrow
that overwhelms his family and friends
' " W. J. BRYAN,
' IT WIMi COME RACK
My heart is in the grave with our cause, and
I must pause until It comes 'back to me," said
Mr. Bryan on the nomination of Gov. cVc, in
emulation of the great orator, Mark Antony,
speaking over the open coffin of the murddred
Caesar.
Mr. Bryan would have mado a great Shake
spearean actor, particularly in the historical
plays where he might have secured heavy ora
torical roles after his heart. It is cleur that he
has perused to some purposo the purple patches
of Antony's oration, though his rendering
doos not follow it as closely as a Shakespearean
student might have desired. For our part, wo
are certain that Mr. Bryan can make a hotter
speech than the actual Antony ever made or
heard in this world.
Mr. Bryan's caae is not half so desperate as
he likes to believe. His convention record is
that of having won an important victory, and
having lost one fight that may not turn out to be
a loss at all.
He won. on the question of reservations,
which was the biggest single issue put up to tho
Democracy at San Francisco. He lost on his
effort to get a plank stating the party's attitude
on liquor, but this does not mean that the party
is going wet. The record of the Democratic
nominee on the other hand would indlcato
that He is a-man to enforce tho laws of the land
whether they are, to his own or anybody else's
liking.
Tho Commoner should compare his own show
ing with that of the present occupant of the
White House, who lost out both on the platform
and on the nominee. The convention simply
refused to follow its minority leaders, fearing
that it might be led into the wilderness, and
of the two such leaders Mr. Bryan ought to ex
tract the more comfort out of the situation.
Memphis, Tenn., News-Scimitar.
PROM A CALIFORNIA FRIEND
The following letter was sent to Mr .Bryan
x Dfi,4 Francisco. Cal. My Dear
Mr Bryar Tdmirlng and rejoicing over the
Mr. myan. iXU . fl R Democrat c national
stand you have ?eJetmi! on many
IJ.ISM'S HnK themseiv.
up with you: Uat,
Where are you .going, Great-Hea.t?
"To litt Today abovo the
. en God go S you Great-Heart!
W-"? " iS'ofnotmTSing,.
G0d go wlthJGwaWto.rt.
" A HOME OF I-KOHIMTION MSABEIW
A HOMJ-. mentioned by Tho
IB addition to the things m hbIOoIltet?
Journal as reasons ., writea old
should feel a horn m hav0 mentioned
ilTnA dry citizen, u" heroes of the
SS tort that some of th' great n john B
Movement have 'ived in asto fenip
winch really starieu i g0 w. u.
from "kn "on'nd the rid m
OhariSs H. Kandall of Cahton i flre d
Perhaps the man now moa v beea a cItl.
toHofe wets is W. f-BrSnenure political career.
Tn of ""coin durh ht8 ht t0 feel e
tZJTl'o Tthis. community. -Nebraska
State Journal. M
w
Which Plank Has
Teeth?
Below will be -found tho platform 'promtaa
or tho Domooratio, ftepublloan, and Prohibition
parties against profitooriug. Which ono has
teeth in it?
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM PLKDOI3
"The simple truth Is that tho high coat of
living can only bo remedied by Incrcasod pro-
duction, strict governmental economy and a re
lentlois pursuit of those taking advantage of,
post-war conditions and are demanding and ra-"
coiving outrageous profits.
"Wo pledge tho Democratic party to a policy,
of strict economy in governmental expenditures
and to tho enactment and enforcement of uuch
legislation as may bo rcqulrod to bring prof
iteers boforo tho bar of criminal justice."
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM PLEDGE
"But as tho political party that throughout
its history has stood for honest money and
sound finance, wo pledge ourselves to "earnest
and consjstent attack upon tho high coat of
living by vigorous avoldnnco of furthec Inflation
In our government borrowing, by courageous
but Intelligent doflatlon of ovorexpanded credit
and currency, by encouragement and hotRut
encd production of goods and services, by pre
vention of unreasonable profits, by oxerclse of
public economy and stimulation of 'private
thrift, and by revision of war Imposed taxes
unsulted to peacetime economy. ' t
"We condemn tho Democratic administration'
for failure impartially to enforce tho anti-prof-.;
iteering laws enacted by the Republican cpnV
gross."
PROHIBITION PLATFORM PLKDGE
"Tho prohibition party pledges tho nation to
rid it of the profiteer and to closo tho door.
against his return. It will endeavor to elimi
nate all unnecessary middlemen by tho en
couragement of organizations among producers '
that will bring those who soil and thoso who
use nearer togotber. It will enact and enforcer
laws that will effectively prevent excesalve
charges by such middlemen as aro necessary;
To this end It will demand legislation sujbcct
ing to the penalties of tho criminal law all cor
porate officers and employers who give or carry
out Instructions that result in extortion; it
will muke it unlawful for anyone engaged In In
terstate commerce to make the sale of ono ar
ticle dependent upon tho purchase of another
article" and It will require dealers to disclose to
customers the difference between cost price apd
selling price or limltthc profit that can be logal
ly charged as the rate of Interest Is now limited.",
THE HERO OF SAN FRANCISCO
Gangs of eastern wets went to San Francisco ,
convention with full determination to Insort-a -wet
plank In the Democratic national platform
at all hazards. -
" With consummate skill, they laid their plana,
to forestall the possibilities of failure and to
Insure success. 4
The well laid plans of the wots struck a na& , 'i
of large dimensions at San Francisco.. William''
Jennings Bryan, the champion of tho American
home, was there.
In a speech of great eloquence and power,.
Mr Bryan pleaded for civic righteousness, po
litical sobriety and for safety of American boya
and girls with tho result that the wet plank was
defeated in a subsequent vote by a majority
of more than two to one. Mr. Bryan's speech,
was creeted with a tremendous demonstration
of approval lasting 23 minutes. Notwithstand
ing this, the delegates defeated Mr. Bryan's
dry plank. Persuasion of the truth is one thing
nnd political expediency Is quite another.
It is probably true had it not been for Mr.
nrvan's presence In the . convention, the wet
hordes would have accomplished their purpose.
' To have thwarted such a desperate, well-oiled at
tenint. is in itself a conspicuous achievement.
There is nothing more magnificent in American
history than Mr. Bryan's stand against tremend
ous odds in this Democratic convention.
All honor to William Jennings Bryan, hero,
natriot. champion of American boys and girls ,
ll i rhrlBtlan statesman! His lance has never
Seen lowered before any foe of civic righteous
ness, American Issue
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