Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 May 1919 — The World’s Next Step [ARTICLE]

The World’s Next Step

NO. 5 Ie the I.ea<ne of Nations a Workable Plan?

By CLARENCE L. SPEED

(Written for and Approved by the Illtnola Branch of League to Enforce Peace.) It is 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 very 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 American voters. They have the courage of their convictions. They 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 S ates. 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 longue of nations. It la not al! that I wished, but cornea 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 tn some respects than appear in the present plan.” ••There should be no doubt of its approval by the senate when It la 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 ffs 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 fall to work? The only apparent chnnce of its falling 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 all for 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 burled 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. Workmen who are hungry because factories are closed see in it a preventive of wars. People who have seen their savings jeopardized or swept away stand behind it. No one, apparently, wants it to fall, yet there are some who doubt its success because, by careful searching, they can find difficulties in the way. They may be of good cheer, and you may rest at ease, too, because, if by any chance this league which everybody wants should fail to work, there is nothing to prevent you fighting for 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 of nations, including pamphlets of the covenant of the league and speeches made in its behalf, may be obtained at the office of the Illinois state branch of the League to Enforce Peace, 342 Monadnock block, Chicago, HL