Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 November 1920 — THE LEAGUE’S MEETING [ARTICLE]

THE LEAGUE’S MEETING

r Yesterday the representatives of 41 nations met at Geneva to perfect the organization of the league of nations, and to deal, in their associated capacity, with world problems as far as they bear on the great question of world peace. “Never before,” say the dispatches, “in the history of the world, it is believed, had the flags of so many nations flown together.” But there were few. American flags. The only American nations, besides our own. unrepresented Honduras and Ecuador. However, a place was reserved for the United States, which, it is hoped, will ultimately be , The day on which these men came together may turn out to be one of the greatest days in the history of the human race. What is proposed —and what has already been very largely realized —is a world organization that shall free the world from the awful curse of war. Its purpose is, not simply to deal with war di-

rectly, but to remove, as far as this can be done, the causes that lead to war. Too much should not be expected and yet one may be hopeful. It means much that several thousand men should come together In the Swiss city, some of them traveling thousands of miles, to confer on matters that are of the deepest interest to mankind, and to plan for the development of civilization along peaceful lines. Nothing like this has ever been seen before. One may be sure that every member of the assembly feels very keenly the responsibility that rests on him. That responsibility surely 4s weighty. There will be need for unselfishness. For in every case the question will be what will be best, not Tor certain., nations, but for humanity aS a whole. Perhaps this need' will not fully met, for It will not be easy to cut loose from old precedents, to resist old temptations, or to keep clear of old sin?. Everything depends on the spirit in which the problems are approached. But there are no men participating in these momentous deliberations who do not above everything else desire the success of the league of nations. Nor are there, it is believed, any who would deliberately run the risk of wrecking it.

It is an imposing spectacle, one that must Impress itself deeply on the consciousness of the world. It is clear to all that the league of nations has not been “scrapped,” and is not “deceased.” Nevertheless it must be said that it is less powerful, and less promising for good than it would be were America a member, as she ought to be. The question for us island it is one that every American should very soberly ask himself —how far this country shall go in weakening, by nonparticipation in it, the greatest and most promising effort ever made to confer a sad and suffering world the priceless blessing of peace. One may say of the league what the Psalmist said of Jerusalem .- "O pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee. —Indianapolis News.