Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-27
THE READERS VIEWPOINT
Rights of Small Nations

To the Editor Of the Evening Public Ledger.
Sir-Your novel suggestive article by Ar
mold Bennett on what he calls a world
League Of Nations is another proof that we
the world-are going through the same
mental processes that we--the States of
America-did in 1776-s7. OF course the
great contention of the article is, as It was
at that earlier period, how to make different
sized bodies have an equal vote. since the
smaller ones are afraid of the power of the
larger.
This raises the great principle Of the rights
and safety of the minority. And 1t is very
great principle, which we owe to the small
States of America, Delaware leading them,
and John Dickinson leading Delaware. The
majority can be tyrant sometimes as wit
ness the hideous example of a Prussian ma
jority in Germany. A majority In the United
states would be In the northeastern quarter
probably. but the senatorial representation
equalizes that majority by distributing 1t
over the whole land. somewhat as the Fed
eral Reserve act distributes the financial
majority. 1t is an expression of distrust of
the majority and safety of the minority. the
very principle just voiced by Mr.. Bennett.
ana undoubtedly to become the greatest diff
hculty In the creation of a league, or, as
prefer to call it, a United Nations.
The academic secretary of the League
to Enforce Peace" Mr.. Scott, has already
told us how that was the rock that split
the Hague conference of 1907. when, as he
says, poor little Central American nation
was refused equallty-and so was responsible
for the great war! The fathers Of 1887 were
also inclined to refuse little Delaware's
equality, but as there are always more small
States, as well individuals than larger
ones they, with more wisdom than the aca-
demc conference of 1907, yielded to the prn-
ciple that the smallest must always be the
standard in matters of justice and safety-an
must take care of the smallest because the
largest can take care Of themselves.
So Mr. Bennett takes too superficial view
when he shows only special concern for
France he must move up to principle that
will take care of every smaller nation. A
United Nations must take, its first princi-
pie. the protection and safety of all smaller
nations, even to the smallest by providing
for their self-protection. The United States
did that by equality in the upper house. al
lowing the majority of population to control
in the lower house, thus making an instru-
ment to register the will of both ma jorty
and minority. but giving the minority power
of self-protection. The United Nations will
go far before they find a better instrument
and predict that they will be compelled to
accept 1t by the logic of events, for. with the
example of this American instrument of JUS
tice to all with self-protection of the minor
ity on the one hand and the German instru-
ment with its majority control and devil take
the hindmost, am certain the world will not
stand for the latter for one minute. The
great nations must submit themselves to a
constitution that prevents them from injuring
the small ones. So Mr. Bennett has only
caught mild glimpse Of the right road--not
the full view. One could wish that the word
league could be replaced by n better one,
say federation" For those who it have
in mind too much of the contract idea which
underlies the. English conceptions.
Let 1t not be forgotten. therefore, that
only the magnanimity of the great nations
will make United Nations possible, as that
of the great States made possible United
States. BURTON ALVA KONKLE.
Swarthmore June 80.