Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1919 — The World’s Next Step [ARTICLE]

The World’s Next Step

NO. t l.eafuo of Nation* the First Concerted World Move

By CLARENCE L. SPEED

(Writton for end Approved by the llllnota Branch ot Loacu* to Enforce poor*. > Great steps in the world’s progress have been made before. There catne the awakening of the nations from the bigotry and intolerance of the dark ages; the rise of the spirit of democracy ; the revolt against human slavery and serfdom; the general antipathy toward exploitation of one class by another. But all of these steps in human progress had small beginnings. They would originste, perhaps, in a single •community of one nation, spread from there over the whole country, cross borders with much difficulty, and finally sweep over the greater part of the civilized world. Now, however, for the first time in history, we And tn the organization of a league of nations what may be considered as the civilized world prepared to take a step forward in unison. This being so, isn't it reasonable to expect that the league of nations idea will succeed more quickly than other progressive ideas which have preceded It? Democracy, as the modern world understands it, may be considered to date from our own revolution and the French revolution, though the seeds were planted long before then. The powerful of the earth were against it. Organized governments fought IL Armies and navies were used to put it down. Just a century ago, when Napoleon was overthrown and the ancient dynasties were being put back on their thrones, it might have seemed that democracy was doomed to failure. Yet we see today democracy triumphant. There scarcely remains an important government on earth In which the people do not have the final say as to its policies. If democracy could triumph over such great obstacles, is there any reason to believe that a league of nations, with all the world for it, will fail? The league is the natural outgrowth of democracy. It does not seek to overturn existing institutions. It does not threaten national governments or national Ideals. It starts with everything In its favor. The world’s most powerful military nation has just tried to conquer and despoil Its neighbors and failed because it found the sentiment of mankind against it. England, France, Italy and the United States have just finished expending life and treasure in hitherto unheard-of quantities In a war which they did not seek and did not want. One nation has learned that it cannot combat an outraged world, and the others have learned that they cannot keep out of a modern war Just because

they want to. They all know now tnat war spreads like wildfire after It starts, Involving the Innocent and the guilty alike in its misery. They all realize that the only way to prevent war in the future Is to act In concert. That Is why they are now forming the league of nations. For this reason It does not appear that the authority of the league of nations, once it la established. Is likely to be seriously challenged In the near future. The world Is too busy binding up Its wounds right now for any nation to dare to risk everything in another general war. The taak of reconatructlon is too great. Therefore it would seem that the league atarta with every prospect of being given an opportunity to have a fair trial. Its constitution as now drawn Is of course far from- perfect. It la the result of compromise and of differing opinions. But all nations are agreed upon the Idea of its desirability and Its main purpose to prevent war. •/ The. constitution of the league is not rigid. Provision Is made for changes as they may be found to be necessary. As time goes on undoubtedly there will be changes. There have been changes tn our own Constitution and there will be more. It la not fair to assume, either, that the millennium has arrived just because a league of nations is coming Into being. There probably will bo for ages to come injustice in the world, but it is certain that there will be less nnd less of it as time-goes on. and It Is reasonable to suppose that a world league founded upon the Idea of justice will be able to make further progress than Individual nations with hostile interests and unreasoning prejudices. There is much room for division of opinion as to details of the league. But for that matter there Is great division of opinion as to the conduct of Internal affairs of this or any other country. Every four years we are thrown into a ferment by an election In which one great party bitterly opi>oses the other. But neither Democrat nor Republican would favor overturning our form of government simply because he cannot dictate its Immediate policies. Neither should we wlsb to prevent the formation of a league of nations simply because Its constitution contains some few provisions with which we are not fully In accord. Having done our best to have our Ideas incorporated, we can and we should accept it as It comes from the commission of the entente powers, and should assume that it will be gradually Improved In the light of experience. Further Information regarding leaguß of nations, Including pamphlets, may) be obtained at the office of the llllnalat League to Enforce Peace, 342 MonadJ nook block,