The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-27
OUR DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY
AT THE CLOSE OF THE
WORLD WAR.
A Plea for a World Agreement in
Conformity With the General
Plan of the League to
Enforce "a

Excerpts from the address of Gov
ernor Capper delivered at the Con-
ference OF Governors, Washington, D.
America by good luck, or by the
grace of God, or by interest In its
consequences Is none the less on that
account; and our duty and response
blllty Is all the greater" said Gov
ernOr Arthur Capper in an address
delivered at the Conference of Gov
errors held at Washington, D. G.
Continuing Governor Capper said:
All the greater, too because we are
not entirely spOtleSs; our hands
are not wholly clean. We have DUR
sued the safe cOurse-and have filled
our Golfers in the meantime. We
have fattened on the blood of the
battlefield Our farms have been
depleted OF horses, our grain has sold
at wartime prices; our factories
have worked overtime making NUM-
tons and our spectators have fat
tened upon "'war-babies-" Fhe peo-
pie of the United States, for all our
neutrality, HAVE participated most
actively IN the World War; and we
cannot evade our responsibility at
its close.
"As speak here this afternoon,
distinguished American, former
President William Howard Taft,
IS addressing the citizens OF Kansas IN
their capital city, upon the proposed
League Of Nations to Enforce Peace.
OF the many movements IN the inter-
est OF permanent peace, undertaken
by peace-loving people during the
last hundred years, this league, of
which President Taft is the head,
seems to have met the most ready ac-
ceptance. / am glad to raise nv
voice today with Mr.. Taft's IN urg-
ing upon the American people the
most earnest consideration of the
proposals the League advances |
The plan doubtless is not perfect. |
Difficulties and perplexities may |
rise IN working out its details. Diff |
1ecC1onS may be made to certain of 4
its provisions, bit its fundamental 1
must appeal to all advo-
Gates of Peace.
ct proposes the formation of q
League OF Nations after the close
of the present war, which shall es-
tablish a permanent international
court OF justice to which all justic-
able questions arising between the
powers shall be submit
ted TO a council Of Cancellation for
nendation- The members of the
league shall use first their combined
economic forces against any of
heir number that rsfuses to sub
mt any question TO the tribunal or
OF conciliatione befor threat
snIng war; and follow this by the
ONT OF their military forces against
hat nation If 1t actually proceeds
o make war. The fourth proposal
# the league is for conferences be-
ween the signatory powers 70 for
nulate and codify the rules of inter
law
The world Is sick of war, and more
Wiling then ever before to listen to
ne voice Of sanity, and TO put an end
o international anarchy, wherein
ach nation attempts to enforce its
judgements by its own arms. Of
.eaI representatives Of England
nd OF France have announced that
heir people are willing to Cooperate
4 some such program. The prefer
nee OF the Gar Of Russia for peace
annot be questioned Chancellor
on Bethmann Hol1weg sweeps aside
be German advocates Of ruthless
ess, and declares that Germany Is
eady 70 join IN the movement TO
revent q Recurrence Of such a war.
he United States IS the logical na-
ion to begin this movement for
-hleh destiny has now prepared man
md Never before since the dawn
I history has such an opportunity
cen presented 20 any nation as now
omes to ours. And, gentlemen, ON
ppeal VIII be nreEistabls.H