100 Years Ago July 1919 – Will We Ratify?
Selected from the pages of the Middletown Press and lightly annotated by Sally Haase
America Gets Nothing. Washington, From June 2: Sen. Hiram Johnson (Ca.) in a verbal senate attack on the League of Nations said, “On the 11th day of November, America as no nation on earth ever had been before, was respected, revered and beloved. After six months of meddling and muddling in European and Asiatic controversies and contests over territory, the end of the peace conference finds Italy detesting us, France secretly despising us, England using us, and Japan bluffing us. They are willing and anxious that we should have our League of Nations. We give our assets, both moral and material, and assume part of their liabilities. We do not need them as partners. They require us. They yield us nothing; we give them everything.”
Giant Dirigible Crossing Atlantic. Washington, July 2: The big British balloon is sailing to America at 42 knots with the wind at her back. The R34: Length 639 feet ; weight – 30 tons; motive power – five Sunbeam Maori engines of 250 HP each; gas capacity – two million cubic feet.
R-34 Short of Fuel. Mineolla, L.I., July 5: Within sight of the American mainland and with victory almost won, the great British dirigible is reported stalled. The American naval wireless stations far up the North Atlantic coast picked up this message: “Flying over Nova Scotia, Strong winds. Petroleum running short.” Another message: “Could destroyer proceed to south end of Bay of Fundy to take his majesty’s airship R-34 in tow?” [R-34 was rescued, repaired and left for home a week later.]
Dempsey In Three Rounds. Toledo, July 5: Jack Dempsey won the world title in the most one-sided contest in the history of the ring. Jess Willard dragged his weary legs to the corner at the end of the third round and threw up the sponge. All during the third round Willard bled like a stuck pig. He took the pasting like a soldier, but he was beaten beyond all hope. There was not a chance in the world for him. [Dempsey held the title from 1919 to 1926.]
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Wilson To Address Senate. Washington, July 7: The president will appear before the upper house, when he returns Thursday to Washington, to lay before it the peace treaty, with the League of Nations covenant incorporated. Indications now are, White House officials said that the president will be unable to start his proposed speaking tour for at least two weeks. It is known that many of the president’s friends have advised him to abandon the speaking tour or to at least wait until it becomes apparent as to what the senate will do with reference to the treaty and the league covenant.
Wilson Steps On American Soil. New York, July 8: The liner George Washington docked at Hoboken with President Wilson, fresh from his triumphant peace labors in Europe. Both the President and Mrs. Wilson were in the best of health and apparently both had benefited by the voyage. They stood upon the bridge as the liner was towed to the dock and waved gayly to the crowds. Vast throngs had gathered around Pier 4 with about 2,500 soldiers on guard around the pier and harbor front. A dozen brass bands furnished music that ranged from the national anthem to rag time. Several outgoing vessels blew their fog horns as they passed the procession. With more than 2,000 returning overseas “doughboys” [who were also aboard the liner], hanging from the rigging and side of the transport, responded to the salutes with wild cheers.
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Keep The President In U.S. Washington, July 9: Representative Campbell introduced in the house today a bill requiring future presidents to sit on their job “at the permanent seat of government of the United States. The bill provides that “it shall be unlawful for the president of the United States, during the term of his office, to absent himself from the territorial jurisdiction of the United States or to perform the duties of his office at any other place than at the seat of government.”
League Of Nations Safeguard Against War. Washington, July 10: The United States senate was given complete power to finish the task of ending the war with Germany. President Wilson laid before the senate -authorized under the constitution, to ratify all treaties – the complete text of the document signed by the German delegates at Versailles. Until that document is ratified, or rejected, the technical state of war must continue.
The president raised the issue of the League of Nations in clear and unmistakable terms. He warned that if the League of Nations was not created and its future assured “there must be another and a final war, and the world must be swept of every power that could renew the terror…They [Europeans] saw it as the hope of the world…. Shall we or any other free people hesitate to accept this great duty? Dare we reject it and break the heart of world?”
Never Agree To Japanese Control of China Province. Washington, July 10: Shantung Province was to be the principal issue of G.O.P. opposition to the peace treaty. They predict the part of the pact which would give Japan control over the Chinese province would never be agreed to by the senate. Senator Borah declared the question of Japanese domination of China would serve to solidify opposition to the president’s idea with respect to the principals involved in the League of Nations [of protecting the territories of sovereign nations.]
Fleet To Guard West Coast. Newport News, Va., July 19: The proudest ships of the mighty fleet which hence forth will guard our Pacific shores sailed today bound on the long journey to home waters. Before the fleet passes through the Panama canal and begins moving northward in the Pacific, probably 50 ships will be in line.
President Ordered To Bed. Washington, July 21: President Wilson was ordered to bed by his physician, Admiral Grayson, who said the president was suffering from an attack of dysentery. He hoped the president would up and about in a day or two.
Hot Weather May Postpone Speaking Tour. Washington, July 29: Unless the present extreme hot wave subsides, it is possible that President Wilson many delay the start of his speaking tour until the weather conditions become more favorable. It has been the president’s intention to start in time to reach San Francisco for the arrival of the Pacific fleet.
29 Dead In Chicago Riots. Chicago, July 29: Twenty-nine were reported dead by police and 500 injured in race riots between whites and negroes on the South Side. Despite the presence of more than 3,500 troops battles between whites and negroes carried into the heart of downtown. Throughout the negro sections, colored men, women and children could be seen on the streets, on porches and peering through windows. Many of them had not slept at all during the night and were watching wearily for approaching mobs.
Justice To Investigate Race Riots. Washington, July 30: The widespread race riots in various Parts of the country are under investigation by the U.S. government. The inquiry is designed to determine these facts: First – Whether there is a regular organized body whose object is to stir up racial hatred. Second – Whether there is a connection between race riots and pro-German propaganda that preceded our entry into the war. Third – Whether there is a connection present in race riots and activities of the I.W.W, the International Workers of World.
100 years ago, much has changed and, then again, nothing has changed.
