The Washington herald., 1918-04-25

Many writers ana SeerS OF the ma
tion are insisting that a world gov
ernment will follow this war, and
that i'm organization il will become
virtually a United Nations OF the
World, with a single head and sin
gle legislative body. and other at
tributes of the form by which the
States OF America are united and
bound together.
Statesmen on the hill do not share
this view. There are some of the
members who think this should be
sought, of course, but their vision
is not sufficiently appealing to al
low us to class them as statesmen,
or to acQuiesce in the good sense of
their proposal.
The world will probably never see
the complete governmental union OF
all nations and all races. But it
may see. at the conclusion of this
war. a union of the leading nations
and scores of the smaller ones. for
disarmament and for other peace
accomplishments which will make
1t exceedingly hard for war to get
under headWay again.
The path is a long one to tread
to this status. however. In our
own country there are two very
keen lines of division which occa-
slonally show violent developments.
One division insist that America
should become a semi-military ma
tion, always armed to the teeth and
fully prepared for any emergency.
The other division believes we
should go slowly in this regard,
that we should work slowly, but
surely, toward a state of almost
complete disarmament and that we
should lead the way to a better un-
derstanding of peace between the
nations.
Universal military training is ono
of the points upon which the di-
vision is keen just now, and which
is one of the early stumbling blocks
to perfect concord in this nation as
to what our future course will be.
Militarists believe we should pro-
vide for 1t at once and not wait for
future action. Those opposed. many
OF whom are not essentially pa
cifists, take the position that we
can well leave the question alone
until we see just what headway will
be made in the world toward dis
armament and toward a clear agre-
ment as to what military strength
will be allowed to grow in each ma
tion hereafter.
The big features of the entire
matter, however. will develop most
strangely and most powerfully aft
er the war is over. The period OF
reconstruction will be surfeited
with proposals as to future conduct
of international affairs, and with
suggestions as to how to meet the
military menace in the most prae-
tical manner.
In the discussion then, which till
be perhaps ever more importan than
the congressional discussion and
congressional action now, men of
brains and courage and vision will
be needed in Congress. And many
of the men who are now fighting
the battles of the republic and of
our allies on the field will be among
the members then, and among the
people who select. the members.
The military spirit which we are
many will pervade the political at
mosphere when the days Of recon
struction come. 1t will be a thor
Oughly American spirit, a spirit
that may be looked upon to protect
Americas interests and to provide
in the most beneficial way for the
future of America.
Just 2,OSs years ago-or 10 be exact
in 16s b. c., when Lucius A. Paulius.
a Roman consul had been elected to
head the war against the Macedonians
LA. z. decided that too maay sug-
gestions as to the war we're coming
from the rank and file of The people
who were fnsHclps the VsE and fuys