Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 May 1919 — The World’s Next Step [ARTICLE]

The World’s Next Step

no. a b On League it Natloae a Workable Plant

By CLARENCE L. SPEED (Written tar and Approved by the Illlnoli Branch of League to Enforce Peace.) It la a remarkable fact that, in all the opposition that has come out to the ratification of the- peace treaty containing the draft of the league of nations as it stands, scarcely a single responsible American statesman has come out flatly against the principle of a league to enforce peace. Many have expressed serious doubts as .to whether or not it would work. Others have said that this was not the time to establish it and that it should wait until after peace was signed. Still more have pointed out this difficulty and that; and, because the American people are vggy largely headline readers, the impression has gone out that a great number of senators are unalterably opposed to any sort of a league of nations whatsoever.

There is no doubt that some of these objections to the ratification providing for a treaty are sincere. Some of them may not be. But the fact remains that nearly all these statesmen who depend upon the people for votes have left open a way of retreat so that, if it finally develops that public sentiment demands the league it can never be shown that they were unalterably against it There are many, on the other hand, who have so definitely committed themselves to the idea of a league of nations that they leave no loophole through which they may crawl if the Idea is not favored by Artterican voters. They have the courage of their convictions. Thfey are so sincere that they are ready to stand or fall on their records. Such a man is William Howard Taft, formerly president of the United States. By no stretch of the imagination could he be considered as backing a league of nations favored by President Wilson through partisan motives. Here is what Mr. Taft had to say in a public speech at Helena, Mont., the day after he had had the opportunity of reading the draft of the constitution of the league of nations as cabled from Paris: “As lovers of your country and as lovers of mankind I ask you to use all your Influence with our senators to have the treaties embodying the league of nations idea ratified. It is a real league of nations. It is not all that I wished, but comes near. It is a great deal better than I hoped. It contains within its terms provisions for its own growth. Indeed the exigencies of the European situation in the sphere of the league will probably require additional and more stringent provisions in some respects than appear in the present plan.”

“There should be no doubt of its approval by the senate when It is embodied In the treaty.” Mr. Taft evidently is convinced that the league will work. President Wilson believes it will work. Lloyd George believes it will work. Even Clemenceau of France believes it will work. It has the complete support of the Italian government, which believes it will work. The little nations turn to it as their only hope of safety. They believe it will work. If all of these people and these nations believe the league will work how can it fail to work? The only apparent chance of Its failing to work would be in case there were enough strong powers against it, while it is young and untried, to keep it from working. But here you find the powers alMfor it. Who is going to try to upset it —some power like Liberia, or a beaten and helpless Germany?'' Why, even Germany now hopes it will work and work in a hurry, for without it there is no limit to the penalties that victorious neighbors might impose. And the peoples of the world, even more than the governments, want it to work. Mothers and fathers whose sons are buried by the million on the battlefields of Europe are for it Women who have suffered violence at the hands of invading armies, or who have fled headlong from their homes to avoid it, pray that it may become operative. who aT * hungry because factor»Wgb dosed see in it a preventive wars. People who have seen their savings jeopardized or swept away stand behind It. No one, apparently, wants it to faU yet there are some who doubt its swE cess because, by careful searchin* they can And difficulties in the wm They may be of good cheer, and jbu may rest at ease, too, because, if w any chance this league which everybody wants should fall to work, there Is nothing to prevent you fighting fbr your rights just as you did in the past. The United States faced a world in arms with very little preparation for war. She can face a world leagued for peace with an army or navy just as large or small as she chooses. There is not even the most remote probability of the United States ever fighting the league, unless It, too, becomes Insane and needs a licking. If it does become necessary for her to fight nations which cannot be controlled by the league, there is nothing to prevent her from doing so. Further Information regarding the league «f nations, including pamphlets of the covenant of the league and speeches made in its behalf, may be obtained at the ->ffice of the Illinois state branch of the League to ■nforce Pease, M 2 Monadneek Nook, QMnago, ML .. '

Captain and Mrs. R. O. Beeler arrived from*'lndianapolis Wednesday evening. The Captain will remain here until Sunday evening when he will continue to Camp Grant from which place he expects to be discharged from the service.

The Rensselaer high school base ball team trampled the Winamac club in the mud at Riverside park' Wednesday afternoon in a slugfest which resulted in a score of 20 to 11. Both teams crowned the apple in a way produced runs in each frame. Collins was the hitting demon of the locals clubbing the sphere and men on the hassocks which netted five runs. Phegley was on the hilltop for Rensselaer, permitting thirteen blows and four strolls. “Ollie” Kirk officiated. Several games remain on the home schedule.