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a seg, nets I know the Senator will not think me over-critical and certainly not dis- . courteous if I say frankly that I am not entirely clear in my own mind as to. the definition he himself would give to such terms as “internationalism,” “isolation,” or even that well-worn word “commitment.” I take for granted ~ rer ro ra + Tiae a that all of us, according to our lights and circumstances, are nationalists and internationalists, isolationists and contra-isolationists, and as for “commit- | ment,” the life of men and nations is made up of commitments — and com- mitments, too, that bind our discretion and our judgment. Every time the ”. United States settles a boundary line, it makes a commitment. Every treaty of amity and commerce is a commitment. We went to war with Germany over what we claimed was a commitment, to wit: the law of nations giving to all _ neutrals the right to sail their ships upon the open seas. For my part, I would ~:~... be willing to write that law on paper and sign the name of America to it, if every nation in the world would do the same. I cannot be frightened away from a treaty that I think is to the advantage of my country simply because it involves a commitment, or restrains the contracting parties from violating the letter and spirit of their bond. .- ow I confess without apology that I was one of those who at the end of the Great War believed that the world had learned a lesson in the futility of appeal to” ~ : arms, and I thought that with the roar of the vain cannons still sounding in their ears the time had come when mankind was ready to exalt reason instead of force as the arbiter of international disputes. Perhaps that was premature. When one looks around the world today, of which the Senator's picture isin © no way overdrawn, it is difficult to be of a contrary opinion. Perhaps that effort would have succeeded better if the United States had been more free in its ’ codperation. Who knows? Men will be debating that question one hundred years from now without agreeing upon the true answer. But the dream, if it was a dream, was inspired. The effort was not ignoble. And the ideal is one to which the tired world will return again and yet again, until, by toil and strain, and if need be by further sacrifice, the end is achieved. os . y ale woe Chalena ws that chic accemblace Senator, you have been truly tald by our Chairman that this assemblage and this association is made up of many men of many minds. I think there must be before you many who are ready to agree with the word and letter of all that you have said. But I warn you that I see others here who are already preparing their reservations. And again speaking from my personal knowledge, I know there are quite a number who, if given the opportunity to speak, would be only too glad to take it out of both of us. But on one point I beg you to believe that there is no difference of opinion. All of us have listened with great pleasure to your most interesting and illuminating speech, and all of us have a sense of gratitude for the great honor that you have done us by adding the distinction of your presence to this assemblage. 7 ~ ce ee ee ee oe ——— Re cS I a eee SA ee te ee ae Re ce