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1932 › Newton D. Baker (Democratic) › League of Nations and international organizations

Do not make the League of Nations a party issue; no entry until a majority of Americans approve

pledge_forwardspecific_pledgecandidate_directevidence A Diplomacy & International InstitutionsForeign Policy similar solutions · similar reasoning

Solution

Having long advocated American membership in the League, Baker declared (January 26, 1932) that he would not favor a League plank and would not put the United States in the League until convinced a majority approved.

Rationale

'I think it would be a great mistake to make a partisan issue of the League of Nations.' A tactical retreat to remain available as a compromise nominee.

Roosevelt made a parallel disavowal of the League on February 2, 1932 under Hearst pressure; both are cases of a candidate reversing a long-held position to become nominable.

Statements (2)

1932-01-26 · Statement reported in the Washington Times · primarycandidate_direct ✓ verified

I think it would be a great mistake to make a par

Direct quotation; OCR truncates at a column break.

Source: The Washington times (Washington [D.C.]), January 27, 1932 (page 15) (1932-01-27)

1932-01-26 · Statement reported in the Washington Times · primaryreported ✓ verified

But his statement yesterday that he would not favor a League plank in the party platform and that he would not, if he could, put the United States in the League until convinced a majority of the American people approved such a step, revived to some ex tent speculation as to his can didacy.

Source: The Washington times (Washington [D.C.]), January 27, 1932 (page 15) (1932-01-27)

Follow-through

not_applicable

Baker was never nominated; the 1932 platform omitted the League and the United States never joined.

Other positions on this issue

Join the League and World Court; lead general disarmament; free the Philippines; withdraw from Nicaragua, Haiti and China; recognize the Soviet Union — Norman Thomas, 1932 specific_pledge

1932-baker-league-not-partisan-issue · created by claude-fable-5-1 · review: unreviewed