The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-02-21

the Associated Press)--"There are many
practical difficulties in the way OF a
League Of Nations" said Sir Edward
Carson, minister without portfolio IN
the British war cabinet (since resigned
in an interview with the Associated
Press.
But what is to become OF all Of us
If it is not reallzed?" he asked. Has
not this war shown that science, which
has done so much on the constructive
side for civilization and humanity, must
inevitably, if turned TO a destructive
end, soon spell the complete ruin and
death of all civilization and all hu
manity?"
Sir Edward, for nearly a generation
one Of the greatest English authorities
on international law, proceeded to
enumerate some Of the difficulties in the
way Of a Successful League Of Nations
1T goes without saying he said
that everybody is in favor of a League
of Nations, but many people use the
phrase without any Idea OF what it can
do or how it can do it, Some people
imagine that you have solved the whole
question Of war when you set up a
League of Nations But they don't tell
us how it will prevent war
my own view, I may say IS that this
war with all its sacrifices and its en-
veloping chaos will have been fought
in vain unless something results + ON
It which makes war practically II not
altogether impossible in the future. If
League Of Nations can be evolved
which will bring about that result, II
will be the greatest blessing ever con
ferred on mankind.
"A League Of Nations would have this
advantage, first of ALT ought 70 Gre
ate an international atmosphere OF
peace II it could become a universal
feeling that It was an international dis
grace for any nation to break away
you would have in that feeling alone
an influence in world politics which
would be a great benefit to the human
race.
But until you have clearly evo've7
the machinery Of your League Of Ma
tlons, until you have created machinery
which can be 50 framed and so worked
as to make war impossible, you must
doesn't become merely trap for peace
loving nations and Il method of pre-
dominance for the more aggressive, am
bilious and unscrupulous nations tc
eXalt themselves.
How far has the world in the past
been able to get toward the Ideal OF a
League of Nations? The whole OF Flu
rope including Germany, guaranteed
the independence Of Belgium 1t was
natural that Belgium should place full
reliance ON that treaty. Yet one has
only to look at the present war to see
Of how little avail was the League OF
Nations that stood behind Belgium.
For another instance, let us exam
inc the Treaty Of London, made between
the entente allies after the war, and
which stipulated that none Of the par
ties should make peace without con
sent and agreement of the others. Rus
sa was a party to that treaty but what
happened? A series Of unusual events
occurred in Russia, a government was
overthrown and you find the new gov
ernment setting up a claim that the
Treaty Of London does not bind It be
caus mad by anothr government.
Before the war, we had series OF
Hague treaties which in a sense were
a League Of Nations defining numerous
questions under international law. They
laid down the most solemn rules for
observance in case war broke out. No
body had to sign those treaties against
their will, But the war has shown
har Of, ~
forthwith claimed tn eright to disregard
any or all Of them.
"Unless some far-reachng changes
are made then. a mere agreement
among nations to stop war is not any
thing on which any nation could safely
rely.
"There are difficulties also regarding
the composition of a League of Ma
tions Are all nations, regardless OF
size, to have the same voice and vote.
Are the British self.governing domin
ions to be separately represented? How
are you to precent what we in English
politics call logroling-t method OF
operations whereby l vote for sometime
that you want and you vote for some
thing I want?
What is to be the executive side OF
the league, and what the police power
to enforce decisions? The reason our
law courts are able to settle disputes
between individuals is that there stands
behind them the high sheriff who can
call out the whole army and navy il
necessary to see that the courts de
crees are observed. Who Is to be the
high sheriff for the League Of Nationsl
1T may be possible to reach mutual
agreements between the nations as tc
disarmaments. But it win not be easy
How are you to prevent an aggressive
nation from arming its police or other
internal forces and thus creating an
army useful when the time comes fol
purposes of aggression?