Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 August 1919 — THE A B C OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS [ARTICLE]

THE A B C OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

By DR. FRANK CRANE.

1. What Is the League of Nations? A. A union of the strongest civilized nations formed at the conclusion of the great war. 2. What is its object? A. f'lrst, to promote the Peace of the World by agreeing not to resort to war. Second, to deal openly with each other, not by secret treaties. Third, to Improve International law. 'Fourty, to co-operate in all matters of common concern. 3. Does It presume to end war? A. No more than any government can end crime. It claims to reduce the liability of war. 4. What will be done to any nation that makes war? A It will be boycotted and otherwise penalized.. 0. How else will the probability of war be lessened? ■JL By voluntary, mutual and proportionate disarmament; by exchanging military Information, by providing Tor arbitration, by protecting each nation's territorial Integrity and by educating. public opinion to see the folly of war. . 0. What else does ths League pro-

pose to do for Mankind? A (1) Secure fair treatment for labor, (2) suppress the White Slave Traffic, the sale of dangerous Drugs, and the traffic In War Munitions, (3) control and prevent Disease, (4) promote the work of the Red Cross, and (5) establish International Bureaus for other Causes that concern the human race. 7. Who are to be Charter Members of the League? A The United States of America, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, British Empire, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, India, China, Cuba, Czecho-Slovakla, Eucador, France, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hedjas, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Serbia, Slam, Uruguay and the following states which are invited to accede to the covenant: Argentine Republic, Chill, Colombia, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Paraguay, Persia, Salvador, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Venezuela. 8. What other nationa may Join? A Any self-governing State which will agree to the rules of the League, provided the League accepts it 9. What Agencies will the League have? A. (1) An Assembly, composed of representatives of all the member Nations, (2) a Council of Nine, (3) a Secretary-General, (4) a Mandatary Commission, to look after colonies, etc., (5) a Permanent Commission, for military questions, (6) various International Bureaus ; such as the Postal Union, etc., (7) Mandataries. 10. What Is a Mandatary? A. Some one nation designated by the league to attend to the welfare of “backward peoples residing In colonies of the Central Empires, or in territories taken from them.’’ This is to be a “sacred trust,” and In selecting a mandatary the wishes of the people of the area In question shall be the principal consideration. 11. Doss the League mean a Supernation? A/No. It Interferes In no way with any Nation’s Sovereignty, except to limit its power to attack other nations. 12. Can any Nation withdraw when It wishes? •** A. Yes. The League is Advisory and Co-operative, not coercive. 13. Does the League put Peace above Justice and National Honor? A. No. It puts Reason before Violence. 14. Poes not the League take away the Constitutional right of Congress to declare war? A. No. The League can advise war; Congress alone can Declare war.

15. Does It destroy the Monroe Doctrine? A. Exactly the contrary. For ths first time in history the other nations recognise the Monroe Doctrine; and extend it to all the world. 18. Doos It not Interfere with Treaty Making Powers of the United States? A. No. It is a Treaty. We can make any Treaty we please. 17. Would wo have had the Great War if wo had had thio League? A. No. That War cost the world over 7,000,000 lives and 200,000,000,000 dollars. 18. Of what Importance Is the League? A. It Is the greatest deed of mankind in thtf history of the world. 19. Has not anyone a right to object to the League? A. Yes. This is a free country. Anyone has a right to any opinion he chooses. 20. Why Is the League so bitterly opposed by a few? A. Because, unfortunately, any Treaty or League must he made by the President, and a president is chosen by a political many members of the opposite Party think theymust decry whatever he does.