The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-02-08
.FARIBOYOUIH'CARRIED
away DEBATE H0N0Rs
Young Orators Of the State
Discussion League
CONTEST LAST EVENING
Argued How Should the World
Be Organized To Prevent
Wars

OPOA OhO POihI INV yooiiSoL oioSOiH
of the State Discussion league were
all agreed at the discussion contest
held at Mankato high school assem-
bly, room last evening. That point
was that the world should be SO or
ganized as to prevent wars in the
future. Each speaker was given eight
minutes for constructive argument
and three minutes for rebuttal speech
and in that brief period of time was
required to give their ideas on "HoW
Should the World Be Organized to
Prevent Wars. in the Futurew The
orators had many suggestions to Of
fer, and the time allotted was scarce
ly long enough for them to present
their plans.
Melvin Meierbachtol of F'aribault
was adjudged the winner, and will
represent the district at the state dis
cussion meeting.
Those who took part in the dis
cussioc and the. order in which they
appeared were Miss Ruth Kelly,
Mankato, Miss Lorna Addison, Full
da; Earl Loomis, ST. Peter; Thomas
Phelps, Rochester; Miss Olga LOOM
is, Kasson; Miss Corie Jameson, Wa
SEGA; Melvin Meierbachtol, Fari-
bault.
Each One Had Good Arguments.
Each orator had many good argu-
ments, and represented their school
in very creditable manner. r.
By the decision of the judges who
were DIR. Luther Reed of Gustavus
Adolphus college, st. Peter; Profess
sor G. S. Peterson of the Mankato
normal school; and Superintendent
J. G. Straley of Madelia, Melvin Mel
erbachtol of Farbault was awarded
first place, and Thomas Phelps CT
Peter tied for second place.
Enthusiastic students and teachers
filled the large assembly room where
the discussion was held, and the
"rooters" were present in large num-
bers, giving "yells" that made the
room ring, and honoring both the
Mankato high school and the visitors
with their "yells."
~ Flags Of the Allies.
6 Flags of the allies formed patriotic
decorations for the platform, and four
large American flags were suspended
from the ceiling. The high school
service flag, with it's twenty-five
stars, representing twenty-five high
school boys in the country's service.
occupied place of honor. The sew
en- contestants were seated on the
platform, and Frank r. Satterlee
acted as speaker of the meeting. The
rooters gave their yells for Mankato
high school, for Miss Kelly, the high
school representative, and for the
high school orchestra. Miss Irma
Paegel of the orchestra played the
"Polish National Dance" as a violin
solo, and was enthusiastically ap-
plauded, the rooters giving a "yeH"
in her honor. Yells were also given
for the contesting schools.
Miss Ruth Kelley, of Mankato, in her
argument held that the people of the
United States have no right for peace
until they have earned it, and that
but by national organization to that end
She stated that war is useless, and cit
ed as examples the Revolution, and the
War, of 1872, and said that had the peo-
pie but waited matters would have been
and there would have been no
war. War, she said, is against prin-
ciples of humanity, and quoted passages
IL.
an organization to settle national quar-
rels she advised a world court, with
three distinct courts under it. The world
must be shown that peace is more de-
Prevent Wars BY Arbitration.
Miss Lorna Addison of Fulda was in
favor of preventing wars by arbitration,
and a league of peace; the submitting to
arbitration of all disputes, and that the
nations. of the league should, by joint
pressure on nation refusing arbitration
hot IT, ~ - H.
peace. Agreement should also be made
to take joint action to get redress for
any overt act of an outside nation. She
advised that the countries represented
by the league of peace should be armed
and ready to protect their countries in
time of need, but that there be a re-
duction. in armament, and reduction
Earl Loomis of st. Peter, advised that
an International organization be formed
to fill two requisites, first to protect by
law. and secondly to pro-
tect by International guarantee. The in
conference must represent
all the countries, and must have a court
# 9 ea have aen thrd e aaf Se
fact that all civilized countries are
bowling more and more to the will of the
people, and that the world will finally
that there is no practical way to settle
INTERNATIONAL law. except by an inter-
national court of justice.
Thomas Phelps of Rochester stated
that the first consideration for per-
manent peace should be the peace
terms. There must total change in
the enemy government, who has shown
that it cares nothing for treaties or in
ternational law. He insisted that there
must be. a reorganization of those ma
tons and the assurance must be given
that the people are the dominating fac
tor, and do the ruling, and then the
world would be on the first lap toward
49, S<r1<, 1<.xx
must be enforced, and the German gov
must be annihilated. He adj
vised league of two courts and that
the nations be represented according to
population and economic value
that the power of reason must be used
to conquer the barbarism of war, and
perfect a practical plan for permanent
peace. The world must have liberty,
union and democracy. and all the coun-
tries must hang together. She held that
countries always ready to fight with each
other. The nations Should unite in
cause.
Miss Cora Jameson of Waseca was of
the opinion that the first thing needed
for permanent peace is a peace league
mitted to a council which will have a
year to decide the question. Diplomacy
must be open at all time, and there must
be no secret treaties. The countries
must reduce their ornaments. Laws
must be made whereby there will be no
profits in the sale or arms and munitions
or anything pertaining to war. She adj
vised an International manufacture of
arms. The countries must have the
freedom of the seas. and democracy