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

ern times, must continue indefinitely
and from the nature Of things con-
Stunning resources on which the world
must depend to avert famine
| In China the Boxer rebellion,
which was suppressed by inter1a-
tional Intervention would have per-
haps extended in both time and ter
ritory indefinitely
The present rebelIions in Germany,
Austria and Hungary through the
lelashing of sub-nations and princi-
paiities must continue until further
world resources are destroyed.
The above very few instances sug-
gest TO us that however much good
the league may accomplish in some
directions, self determination does
not mean the Punishment of war.
Again, will the disarmament of
nations" idea under any possible cir
Icumstances work equitahly among
nations-even IL 1t does not endanger
Liberty? AS for instance, a wealthy
and prosperous agricultural coun-
try may agree to abandon its de-
lenses; a neighboring manufactur-
ing nation with great resources of
coal, iron and chemicals might well
agree to do likewise, because in the
ly arm while the former must re-
main helpless at the mercy of her
enemy
And the freedom of the seas
this point also has a practical and
an academic Interpretation, and to be
true to form the latter must be that
Of Mr.. Wilson which means ahso-
lutte neutrality OF the seas. Ex-
perience on this point Is so recent
that theory needs no analysis. I'm
der Mr.. Wilson's presumed interpre,
tation, If in effect for a few years
past. Germany would have won the
war and be today autocrat of the
world. When England iunks her
fleet and risks the national jugular
under the knife in a possible packed
caucus OF world democracy, ii will
be time to change from freedom of
the seas during peace times such as
already prevails-to include freedom
of the seas to belligerents in war
times.
Universal democracy."-We must
remember that democracy is more a
state of mind than q form of gov
eminent; and If in projecting this
idea TO include the world at large
we remain true to the ideals which
our civilization has made practicable
to us. it must depend on an unlimited
world suffrage and majority rule.
Now, as China comprises some four
hundred millions Of population-and
India as many more. and other
barbaric or savage nations suf-
ficient addition Of population to sub
merge completely the representatives
of the Caucasian race it Is plain that
if we remain consistent to our
theory, the law of averages alone
will roll back civilization a thousand
years.
Thus 1t would seem that Mr.. Will
sons masterful Examinations of a
hoped for millennium needs a. practi-
cal rather than an academic adapta-
ton and it seems a pity that Mr..
Bryans description of IAN autocrat
incapable OF meeting any one on a
basis of equality'-mustl limit Amer
ica's participation in designating the
worlds fate at Versailles to one man
who, infatuated with epigrammatic
expression naturally finds his hap
piest medium through academies.
1t is a simple matter to devise a
form under which a league OF ma
tions can operate-but to codify
various interests. rights, and ideals
into international law acceptable to
the world at large is another matter
and except by a process of evolu-
ton I believe impossible. This is
why academic idealism needs to be
tempered by gtatesmanshtp that can
differentiate between theory and
condition.
Therefore, it will probably be
found, that the league of nations
must confine itself to very few and
very obvious DEGREES and what Is
more important, for the reason of its
restricted practicability, to an al
lance or treaty along the following
lines: r
That two or more of those power
full nations which represent the PRES
ent highest type of civilization, moral
standing, and representative gov
eminent. shall combine-and by
carefully selected invitation include
those other nations whose undoubted
qualities permit assimilation-and
then having agreed on those funda-
mentals of an international code and
plan of arbitration relating to dis
putes adjudicate them in a court as