The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-12-13
EDITORS MAIL BAG.


To The Editor of The Forum:
The problem of worldwide interest
after tho signing of the peace
treaties, will probably be the pro-
! posed league Of nations.
| 1t is the most unprecedented and
complicated idea that ever engaged
| the attention of the world at large.
Therefore tho agitation and Discus
sion of the subject from every
angle is relatively important.
l do not at this early date know
what will be the position of the Re
publican party on the question, but
from a knowledge of it's ideals and
course of action as illumined in the
history OF the nation one can surmise
that 1t will be different from that
Of the Democratic party-whose
ideas and history are also remember
ed The Democratic party Is largely
party Of academic ideals; often
very noble IL possible to realize;
while the Republican party seems in
herently to incline to the practical
application of ideas to a situation.
This was we'll illustrated in the
handling of the Hawaiian matter in
Cleveland's administration, in the
Vera Cruz incident, in the Mexican
embroglio generally, and in the kept
administrations: not to mention the
free silver craze and free trade dis
asters Of previous days. Mr.. Wilson
represents exquisitely the Utopian
character of such party and IL
Illustrates finely the rhetorical alb
stractions expressed in "toO proud to
fight" peace without victory" self
determination" and similar epigrams
which have been battle-dored and
shuttlecocked around the world for
the amusement If not the enlighten-
ment of the nations. The latest
epigram, however, making the world
safe for democracy" is yet to be
developed and is concerned in the
league Of nations idea. Colonel Har-
vey, approvingly quoting Bryan
says Mr.. Wilson is by training and
temperament an autocrat-and in
capable Of meeting anyone on a
basis Of equality" does not wholly
subscribe to this criticism, however,
for the reason that no great propo-
sition can become effective except
through the force of character which
Mr. Wilson possesses.
Since, therefore, Mr.. Wilson's re-
lation to the matter may be of a de-
termining character 1t is well in
general discussion of the subject to
bear in mind what direction his in
fluence may take, especially, as it
is generally said that Mr.. Wilson is a
law unto Misunderstanding alone
without advisers or conferees-and
known only through the innocuous
radiation of the idealistic Baker, the
pacifist Daniels. and the hooded
unknown, Colonel House. Further.
there must be kept in mind several
promises on which the league Of ma
ton idea as now proposed must
necessarily rest.
First-Self ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ing that every separate nation shall
determine it's own form of govern
ment and control its own domestic
affairs without exterior compulsion.
SeCond-Disarmam of all Ma
tions-except for police purposes.
Third-F'reedom of the seas-neu-
trail to belligerents as we'll as nom
combatants.
Fourth Universal democracy
that is, bona f1de representative gov
eminent
Now, in order that the league Of
nations may result in greater bene-
fits than evils in the operation of its
requirements it is well to analyse
it's theory in relation to past exper-
fence to discover If 1t offers a pan
acea, or only an alternative of the
horrors of war.
For illustration, our Civil war was
the most disastrous and unarbitrable
conflict of the century prior to the
present war-but being matter of
self determination" the league of
nations could not have interviewed.
In Mexico the civil war which has
been in progress for years past
would come under the same head.
In Russia, the frightful chaos,
devastation and bloodshed unex-
ampled as far as recalled in mod