RATIFY!

America is sick of the eternal wrangling and jockeying for position that seems to be the sole occupation of the Senate! Ever since President Wilson returned last July with the peace treaty, the overwhelming sentiment of the nation has been for ratification in one form or another,--few have cared much what. Admittedly the document is imperfect, but nevertheless nine-tenths of the forms of American expression--the press, the pulpit, the colleges, the chambers of commerce, the leading public men, straw votes--for nine months have urged ratification.

Some wanted the treaty passed without change; some wanted it passed with mild, clarifying reservations; some wanted the Lodge reservations; but practically everybody has wanted it ratified and does want it ratified. At first, the administration Senators attempted to put the document through intact, but in vain. The nation clamored for ratification. Again the Democrats tried, with mild reservations, but the Republican group, holding the whip hand, insisted that their conditions be fulfilled without the change of a comma. It was a game of the whole hog or none. Still more concessions have been made by the Democrats, until their party pride has been stretched to the limit. A substitute for article ten, of almost the identical meaning as the original Lodge reservation, has been proposed. Still the Republicans cling to their rhetoric and refuse to budge an inch.

The whole treaty--the future stability of the world--is threatened by the brazen refusal of Senator Lodge to move a hair's breadth. A few meaningless differences in words is all that stands between agreement on the article ten reservation and peace. The Democrats have come nine-tenths of the way, but still the Republicans stand adamant, flaunting their power in the face of a universal demand for ratification. Under the contemptible guise of "Americanism," selfish political considerations are blocking the road to world peace.

The Democrats have done their share toward compromise. Is it conceivable that the Republicans will let insignificant differences in a few phrases stand between them and international good will? The good faith of the Republican obstructionists is on trail, Ratification is still possible. The document that promises so much for the future of the world must not be destroyed!