The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-15
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Associated Press.
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American Newspaper Publishers
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A MESSENGER OF PEACE.

No more fitting time could nave
been chosen for the visit of Former
President william H. Taft, head of the
American branch of the League 10
Enforce Peace. than the present he
comes to Topeka today for the pur-
nose of laying the foundation for
branch of the league in Kansas The
time is propitious. coming as 1t does
when the attention of the world Is
directed toward Germrny's proposal TO
end the European war and at the sea-
son when the sentiment of Peace on
Earth; good will to men, is uppermost
in the minds of all.
.There can be no doubt" says the
Minneapolis Tribune, that the move
ment for a peace league is now strid-
ing along with seven league boots
ONLY a few months ago. it was tim
orous and apologize, but of late it
has undergone a marked change or
attitude. Its bearing has a confidence
and a virility at present which can be
explained on no other hypothesis than
that of continuously successful recep-
tons. Everywhere, people are turning
apostles of the creed are speaking
daily to larger and more sympathetic
audiences. Lord Bryce has already
interested an immense following in the
cause Lord Grey. not long ago, an
nounced himself a convert to the idea.
President Wilson has several times in
dorsed it with unmistakable emphasis
Mr.. Taft has persistently lent his voice
to the movement And most sur
prising of all the Imperial Chancellor
of Germany, Bethmann-H ollweg, has
recently confessed that he, too, had
embraced the new faith. Thus we find
Representatives of the three great
camps into which the world is now
divided agreed that the peace league
must come"
Behind the activities of the League
to Enforce Peace, behind the COM
mendations of it's purpose from states
men of the nations now at war, is the
feeling that civilization must never
again be threatened by such an up
heaval as the world is now witnessing.
With the establishment of League
to Enforce Peace. a system of living
International law interpreted by an in
ternational court and supported by
international force would be possible
And just as it is no longer necessary
in civilized communities for each
citizen to be his own protector that
duty being left to the power of public
sentiment and the police, so the day
would come when national ornaments
could be reduced and the peace of
the. world be placed in the custody of
the international police force, to which
all nations would contribute
The League to Enforce Peace.
American Branch, is an organization
created to advocate an international
alliance that will have the power t.
prevent some wars.
II comedies that no human agency
can prevent all wars. any more thar
police force, however efficient, car
suppress all crime.
The League to Enforce Peace was
organized in Independence Hall, Phil
adelphia. June IT. 1915. Its objects
are set forth in the following pro.
posals:
We believe it to be desirable for tn,
binding the signatories TO the following:
First-All justiciable questions arising
between the signatOry powers, not settled
by negotiation. shall, subject to the limita
lions OF treaties. be submitted to a judicia
tribunal for hearing and Judgment, boti
upon the merits and upon any issue as t.
its jurisdiction of the question.
Second-All other questions arising be
tween the signatories and not settled b,
negotiations. shall be submitted to a eoun
ell Of Cancellation for hearing, consider;l
ton and recommendation.
Tbird-The signatory powers shall joint
~ use forthwith both their economic an'
military forces against any one of thet
number that goes to war. or commits act
OF Hostility. against another of the sign
ntOrIes before any question arising shat
be submitted rs provided in the foregoing
The following Interpretation of Article
has been authorized by the executive com
nittee:
The signatory powers shall Jointly use
forthwith, their economic forces agains
any Of their number that refuses to sub
NIT any question which arises to an in
terhationai judicial tribunal or council o
coneinatiOn before issuing an ultimatun
or threatening war They shall follow thi
Nv the faint of their military forces