The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1918-09-14

ments in civilization are to be recognized and re-
warded, who shall have power to erect and define the
standards whereby such attainments are to be
measured?
Turning to the question of Jurisdiction of the
league, two widely divergent views have been put
forth Shall its powers be only advisory, or shall it
be Clothed with the right and equipped with the re-
qusite armaments to enforce its decrees If its func
ton were merely advisory, it could accomplish little
in preventing future wars, as any nation would be
free to disregard its findings and to carry out its sell
fish purposes in spite Of them.
But if the league tribunal is to be vested with
mandatory power and with fleets and armies where
with to execute its judgments, then every government
participating in the league must abdicate in the very
act OF such participation and every nation must sur
render its sovereign prerogatves and merge them into
one supreme sovereignty ruling all the peoples of
earth.
Would the welfare of our people be promoted and
their government improved by so transferring our al
legiance from the government conducted by our
own votes to a world-governmcnt in whose election
peoples predominant who far less enlirhtened than
we and who are not actuated by the high purposes
of Christian civilization?
Still another vexatous problem Of jurisdiction con-
Germs the parties and issues entitled to be heard by
the league. Shall its powers be limited to questions
purely international, may it consider charges pre-
ferred by local communities against their own gov
ernments and mixed questions involving both do
nestle and international elements?
The public peace has frequently been disturbed by
revolt of subject peoples against oppressive govern
ment, and no tribunal can maintain the peace of the
world without power to adjust such causes Of nsur-
rectlon The sovereign powers of the New World owe
independence to successful revolt against European
governments that formerly ruled them as colonies
Our own Declaration of Independence procaims
the duty of any people to alter abolish the govern
ment that is destructive of human rights. This duty
is Inherent in the doctrine that all governments de-
rive their just powers from the consent Of the gov
erned. If those whose government lays unjust bur-
dens upon them are not permitted to vindicatc their
rights by force of arms, they must have recourse TO
a tribunal clothed with wisdom and power to hear
their complaints and render salutary Justice.
If oppressed subjects are denied this right, SYM
pathetic people in other countries will be moved to
resentment and indignation. This condition was apty
exemphfed in the compassion towards Cuba that SO
stirred our people twenty years ago as to cause our
intervention war with Spain which hastened Cuban
independence.
Mixed issues involving both domestic and inter
national elements such as border discord and depre
datons committed by citizens of one country against
those Of another, and questions of imnicration and
citizenship such as arise out Of our policy towards
the Chinese, will mar the public tranquility unless
adequate provisions be made for their peaceful
adjudication.
Would not an international tribunal sustain the
wish of overcrowded lands to their surplus mil.
lions of people into the New World to the social and
economic detrirnent and ruin Of our own citizens?
Not the least difficult problem concerns the man
ner Of selecting those who to sit in the exalted
council of nations Would they be elected by popular
vote appointed by the executive heads Of the re
spective governments? If elected by the people, 1t il
Well TO remember tnat halt the people or earth are
totally iterate and entirely without skill or interest
in affairs of state. Could the destiny of great free
people be safely entrusted to tribunal constituted
by the vote Of such constituency?
But II members Of the league tribunal are to bt
appointed by the chief executives a preponderance
of them would reflect the sentiments and do the bid
ding Of crowned monarchs opposed to tho sovereignty
Of the people Back Of all these difficulties and above
them rises the most absolute and banefu sutoeracy o
all time-the autocracy Of the vatican, claiming suzer
ainty over all civil powers, standing legal mon
strosity in the world and ruling S00000000 subjects
who also enjoy citizenship in the other governments
In view Of the foregoing and other prohlams an,
difficulties, league Of nations be formed that vii
ubaerve tho ends Of Justice and universal peace? Car
the wisdom Of man devise any civil establishmon,
capable of ending forever the horrors Of war whl'
securing tho highest welfare of all mankind?
VIII not the peace Of God that passeth under
standing come rather from tho leaven Of truth anc
righteousness planted In the hearts Of the people
VIII not tho peace Of the world be secure when, anC
only when, race so imbued shall be released from
oppression and robbery by popes, emperors and kings
and permitted to work out It's destiny by the will O
the people? No father or mother will vote to send
beloved son into the battlefeds of war known to b
nrighteous. Enfranchise the people and fill the,
hearts with truth and love- Oppression and war will
then quickly and forever disappear from the earth.