New-York tribune., 1918-09-07

League of Nations which will avert all
war for the future and put a stop to
the need of this nation preparing it's
own strength for its own defense. In
deciding upon proposals Of this nature
it behooves our people to remembe L
that competitive rhetoric is poor sub
stitute for the habit Of resolutely look
ing facts in the face. Patriotism
stands in national matters as love of
family does in private life. National
ism corresponds to the love man
bears for his wife and children. In
tcrnationaism corresponds to the feel
ing he has for his neighbors generally.
"Tho sound natonaliam is the only
type of really helpful International
ism, precisely as in private relations it
is the man who is most devoted to his
own wife and children who is apt in the
long run to be the most satisfactory
ncighbor. The professional pacifst
and the professional internationalist
are equally undesirable citizens. The
American pacihst has in The actual
fact shown himself to be the tool and
ally of the German militarist.
I'VE Americans should abhor ali
wrongdoing to other nations. We
ought always to act fairly and gen
erously by other nations. But we must
icH HiCIiipCi tilHl our HTSt Ouly Is 10 De
loyal and patriotic citizens of our own
nation.
Russia Merely a Tool
ANY such league OF nations would
have to depend f6r its success upon the
adhesion cf the nine nations which are
actually or potentially the most power
/ full military nations; and these nine
natiens include Germany. Austria. Tur-
key and Russia. The first three have
recently and repeatedly violated. and
arc now actively and continuously vio-
lating. not only every treaty but every
rule Of civilized warfare and of inter
national good faith
During the last year Russia. under
the dominion Of the Bolshevists, has
betrayed her allies. has become the
tool of the German autocracy and has
shown such utter disregard Of her na
tional honor and plighted word and
her International duties that she is
now in external affairs the passive tool
and ally of her brutal conqueror, Ger
many. What earthly use is it to pre-
tend that the safety of the world woul1
be secured by league in which these
four nations would be among the ninn
leading partners? Long years mus
pass before we can again trust anv
promises theSc TOUR nations make
therefore. unless our folly is such that
It VIII not depart from us until we are
brayed in mortar let us remember
that any such treaty will be worthless
unless our own prepared strength rem
ders it unsafe to break it.
after this war the wronedocrs will
bo so punished and exhausted that they
may for number of years wish to
keep the peace But the surest way TO
make them keep the peace in the fut
urc is to punish them heavily now for
having broken it,
Wants America Prepared
not us support any reasonable plan
Whcthcr in the form of a League of
Nations or in any other shape, which
bid3 lair to lessen tie probable mum
Der OF future wars and to limit their
scope. But let us laugh out of court
any assertion that any such plan will
guarantee peace and safety to the fool
'sh. weak or timid creatures who have
not the Will and the power to prepare
for thcr own defence. Support arv
such plan which is honest and reason
able. But support It. as an addition to-
and never as a substitute for. the policy
OF preparing our own strength FOR our
own defence
ia sum, tncn, shall be dchgh ed
to support the movement for a league
to enforce peace. or for league of
nations, if it is developed "a a supple
ment to and not a substitute for the
prepafatIon Of our own strength. be
ileVc that this preparation should be
bN the introduction in this country Of
thc principle Of universal training and
universal service. as practced ir
/ Switzerland and modified, Of course
both along tho lines indicated in Aus
traila and in accordance with our owr
needs. There will be no tant of Prus
sian militarism in such a system. 1t
/ vii merely mean to fight for self.
defence, and a great democracy il
which law, order and liberty arc tc
prevail"