The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-05-02

| the prosecution of war or the advance
ment of selfish ends rather than the
enforcement of permanent peace be-
tween states.
To accomplish that which the
league has set out to do there must.
declared Mr.. Holt. be an extension
of democracy. Only in = democracy,
such as America or Great Britain. he
said, could such project be conceiv-
ed, and only through the spread OF
democratic principles may the world
be expected to join In its adoption.
Objections Disposed OF.
He discussed and disposed OF the
principal objections TO the League to
Enforce Peace-hrst, that OF William
Jennings Bryan, that the plan OF oper-
alton Is unconstitutional, that only the
senate and the house of the United
States have q right to declare war;
that no foreign nation can dictate our
entrance into any war, Hamilton Holt
acknowledges that orty the congress ~
these United States has constitutional
power to declare war, and declares the
I4ague to Enforce Peace would In no
degree seek to usurp this power. The
league merely would insist that before
congress declares war the questions at
issue be submitted TO the international
council for negotiation and Cancellation.
Then, IL congress feels the verdict of
that body is just there need be no war;
IL it takes exceptions, 1t may still make
war, but without the support OF the
league.
What Washington Would De,
Then there are those who quote from
the last speech of George Washington,
his advice against entangling alliances.
There are people," said Mr.. Holt,
who pretend TO know just what Mr.
Washington or Mr.. Lincoln would do II
they were here today. / am not among
them. But, ii 10 my opinion that IL
George Washington were alive today,
he, the first great yirginian, would be
found standing side by side with
Woodrow Wilson, the last great Viz
ginian in the White House. He would
find America no longer provincial
colony of 100000 people, but world
power-a South American and Central
American power; an Asiatic power,
and, now, through our entrance in the
great war, an European power, and he
would find that alliances no more are
to be avoided.
The Monroe doctrine has been urged
as another obstacle, Mr.. Holt admitted
the possibilities for trouble to be found
in this doctrine. He insisted, however,
that America, as q member OF tho
League to Enforce Peace, will have the
same opportunity to live up to its
Monroe doctrine and to insist that
other powers do so, that 1t has now. II
would have the further privilege Of
submitting all questions arising under
the Monroe doctrine to an international
court, and, il dissatisfied with the ind
ings Of that court, 1t would still have
recourse to arms.
America Not Alone.
Like all great movements, when the
time for them becomes ripe, the League
to Enforce Peace was conceived stimuli
taneously in several countries. While
Americas big men were quietly work.
ing out a plan, James Bryce and other
intellectual giants of the British en-
pire were engaged in the same task.
Now 10 the time for careful preparation
for the great endeayor which is to fol-
low the war. Practically every state in
the union has been organized; the
states are among the last
to receive attention.
DR., r. A. Beard presided at last eve
ning's meeting, the gathering being
closed with the singing OF Aemrica by
the audience.
Ever notice how busy some women
can be without doing anything?