Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-12-12

enough 70 PxSNa14 AA oOhAE A1ShSAA y
over its better judgment. Already
| there is a determined but quiet dis
, position in France and Britain to OPP
pose his kind intentions toward the
Germans and unless he develops a
new modesty while abroad. and
yields to the wishes of those nations,
the United States will have lost
much that she has gained as a
spokesman for world peace and de-
mocracy.
Peace can be maintained only by
the superior mower Of superior num-
bers acting in unity for common
good. That is true Of all the record
ed history of peace. 1t is true of
families, Of towns, of states, Of ma
tons; it must be true of the world.
" the present opportunity is fully
embraced to cement a union Of ma
tions, as America is a union Of
states, as Maine is union OF coun-
ties, and each county a union Of
towns, then the thousands Of young
Americans and the millions Of Euro
pean boys have not died in vaip in
the last four years.
We believe the time has come
when working union Of nations
powerful enough when acting to-
gethcr for common good, to deter
mine the rights Of all. that the
weaker nations neither may be OPP
pressed or dominated by stronger
neighbors. nor permitted to start a
conflagration that will involve their
neghbors, strong or weak, and thus
menace the peace Of the world, is
possible. The sentiment Of all the
world powers has been authorita
lively and frequently expressed
toward that end in the last two
years, and the peoples of all these
nations will be disappointed and
deeply resentful If their governments
and peace delegates fail to accom-
plish the possible, beautifully ideal
istic as it is.
All of us know the only thing that
will prevent the realization of the
high ideal-greed. We have not had
the devil punished out Of us as we
thought we had. before, the war end
ed. We are getting cocky as the
horrors of war recede in the swift
sweep Of time and events. We are
finding excuses and voicing doubts.
We distrust each others purpose in
demanding this or that. Freedom
of the Seas" is a rock on which the
everlasting peace craft may hang up
il not shatter. There are others, in
Guiding the determination to domi-
nate by right of representing power.
The hesitancy and talk Of the diff
ficulties Of policing equitably, any
disturbed areas is bugbear and pop
pycock. The same is true of the
pretense that there is no basis for a
code OF international law. ANY,
thing is possible, il the world really
wants it, as it wanted peace only a
few days ago Do we: There's the
rub, The people do, but what of
governments? II all the nations
represented at the peace table go
after the high ideal that is for the
first time in history made possible,
as the American people went into
the war-without desire. for territori-
al or other material gain, with a
motive only of better world for all
then a league of nations that can
and will guarantee peace for all ages
and nations is practicable and prob
able.
The dangers Of socialistic blum
derbuss posing as a world league and
proposing to shoot at everything in
sight which it might take a notion to
control, is everywhere recognized.
But a league to enforce peace" is a
gun OF better caliber.
A great many important questions
are involved but they are "up to" the
peace congress and the world is
watchfully waiting for the indica-
tions of open diplomacy" and pub
lie announcement Of peace delega-
ton positions and demands.