The sun., 1918-08-18
A LEAGUE OF NATIONS.
A Depressing Opinion Of Its Pcten.
TALLY for Peace.


To THE EDITOR OF The suS--Sir: Many
men who have led for the most part
cloistered lives are now talking Of a
new spirit born into the world that
will prove potent enough to prevent
all future wars.
1t Is not strange that these men
should think that the inherent traits
Of human nature can be changed over
night
The belief in miracles is neither
dead nor dormant. Witness the tre-
mendous fortunes taken every year
from the gullible public by crafty
mantpulators. who play upon human
credulity with a touch as def and
certain as that Of the ancient oracle
or soothsayer.
We Americans cultivate self delu-
sion.
Consider. for instance, the prayer
meeting, one of our characteristic
institutions. Observe the righteous
glow that permeates it, evidenced by
the affable smile. the cordial hand
shaking. the little intimate express
sions Of personal regaM and solicit
tude that seemingly make one big
family OF the congregation while 1t
remains in session. =.
Yet does any one believe that the
needy wight who sat in the back pew
near the exit could enter Deacon
Browns grocery store the next morn
ing and get credit for a pound Of but
ter IN tie strength OF the previous
nights performance?
Who should have stronger belief
in mans capacity for universal broth
erhood than ministers OF the gospel ?
Yet. every week we read Of these good
men voicing the layman's conviction
that we must wage this war to a vic
torious and decisive finish
II universal brotherhood be achiev-
able. IL II reasonable to believe that
it will be brought about by force and
arms?
Can any man or body Of men teach
universal brotherhood more appeal
ingly than It was taught by the Naz-
arene 1000 years ago?
Yet. for twenty centuries. with His
gracious words antJ lofty example be-
fore It, the human race has gone on
waging war after war down to the
present most frightful war Of all.
And what shall we think Of that
other group Of Missionaries who ad-
vance the theory that 50, long as ma
tons are unable to live voluntarily
at peace with each other. 1t Is neces-
sary and practical to form a league
of nations to enforce peace? How
Sr,n AZ 1l. Last vu,nrda roll from
the tongue.
Here is an abstract proposition
which at frst glance appears to the
credulous as tending to solve a pro-
found problem.
But. o the futility Of abstract prop
ositions,
Is not striking proof Of the truth
Of this remark to be found in the
ready acceptance by Chancellor Hert-
ling Of the -four principles" recently
enunciated by President Wilson?
What would be the jurisdiction Of a
league Of nations to enforce peace?
Would England consent to submit
the Irish question q the United States
the Monroe Doctfhe to an interna-
tional league?
II TINS inquiry IL answered. IN the
negative. and who would be so fatu-
Gus as to answer It otherwise Pit is
at once apparent that other nations
could not be denied the right to re-
serve from the leagues jurisdiction
questions which they believed be-
longed peculiarly to themselves to
decide.
But, assume the league is eventu-
ally granted jurisdiction over some
sort Of subject matter. Can the hu-
man mind conceive OF a more prom
is.ng breeder of intrigue and secret
diplomacy than such q league?
Here would be seated delegates from
a score OF nations representing differ
emit races. religions and forms OF gov
eminent.
And every delegate would be . hu-
man being!
AYE. there's the rub"
Theirs lies the insurmountable OBJ
stacle in the path Of these dreamers
Of dreams.
Harsh. sad, deplorabie truth!
SIMON CRKN.