New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1918-08-24
AN ENGL1sHMAN's VISION.

Arnold Pennett is one of little groul
81 English writers who are trying Il
bring home 10 the tories of their ccua-
try and the world that this world, ate,
tbe war. must be new world. Mr.
Bennett chose August 4, the fourth ami
verysary of Britain's entry into the wal
to make fresh examination of the pur-
poses of the Allies. The first purpose
of course. is to defeat Prussia and Prus-
sianism, and the second to establish a
league of nations to prevent other wars
Here MI Bennett departs from his
tory listeners and says that if we do no
more than destroy Prussian militarism,
ave might as well never have taken the
trouble to destroy it or paid the price of
DESTROYING it." To make the thing
really worth while, we must go on. We
must establish conditions of national
and international decency such as the
world has never seen. In short, there
must be "a new spirit upon earth" The
sole realty for which we are fighting,
he says, is this new spirit, without no
league of nations could amount to any,
thing. Nor can democracy thrive with
nut this spirit, since "the root of democ-
racy is large and kindly faith in hu-
man nature" which requires an atmos-
phere of mutual trust. To this end he
urges that the same moral code be APP
piled to international relations that now
apply to family and neighborly rela-
fions He gives point to this demand
by picturing what village and family life
would be if suspicion, fear and distrust
were to permeate them as they do ma
tions. Mr.. Bennett concludes by assert
ing that democracy means the applica-
ton of the sermon on the amount to in
ternational life and victory not only
over Prussian militarism but over our
selves"
Mr.. Bennett is perhaps unfortunate in
the wide application he gives to the
meaning of democracy. If he had said
that "justice" or righteousness" or both |
meant or demanded the defeat of Prus- |
sianism and the application of the ser
mon on the mount he would have por-
trayed the situation as most persons un.
do necessarily, either with righteousness,
wisdom or iustice-it is merely govern
ment of the people, by the people and for
the people"
But it is not enough that there should
be merely democracy in this world.
There should also be righteousness, wis
dom and justice. We should have con-
ditions in which there may oe mutual
trust But merely to name the objective
is not to attain it. We can never attain
it until we first do away with the facts
~e Lat bou sn%a al /
distrust
These facts may be more numerous
and perhaps of different character than
most Of US suppose. How shall there be
mutual trust so long as there is striving !;
for foreign trade among different groups
Of capitalists corresponding to the sew II
eral nations? Before there can be
mutual trust shall we not first have to
DO away with such competition? To
accomplish this, shall not the idea of a 4
league Of nations have to be somewhat ,
expanded? We speak Of it now merely ,
- league against disturbers of the in ;
ternational peace. May it not be nee
essary, if mutual trust is to be made pos ,
sible, to give the league certain large
regulatory powers over foreign markets
md the like7 May it not even be nee
sssary to give the league power to take .
.ognizance of the demands of growing !
populations for more land and to dir $
tribute the earth's surface among the
people according to their needs?
How can there be mutual trust among
nations until a power greater than the I
nations shall be created to
,moothe out without war the matters I
hat now create war? And here comes
The opportunity for the application of !
he sermon on the mount. A league of 4
nations, with power to legislate over in
ternational matters and backed with
power to enforce its decisions, might
reep the peace until the extension Of de-
mocracy renders war impossible. It
would all depend upon how much of the
golden rule entered into the leagues de-
:isions. A league to make sharpe prac-
ices legal would not last long. But
The idea Of league, if given legislative
powers over international matters, is +,
good. It is another step and long i
ytep toward world government. II
Our American Union is q league Of
nations, both to enforce peace As be- i
tween each and to promote their general i
welfare. The greatest good accomplished
bv the victory Of the north in the Civil I
War was not in ending chattel slavery, q
but in preventing two nations from ex-
istine where one formerly had stood. If I,
the South had made good its secession, k
the North would have been Immediately |,
compelled to arm against it as the South /,
would have been compelled Immediately
{ y - r.