Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-01-02

Observation-Disclosures OF WORLD DEMOCRACY
The great war now in its closing stages has generated a
interest; Others are international, involving the welfare of
the whole world. One Of the chief questions which all nations
racy express itself in internationa organization? ?"
In order to reach an intelligent conclusion, we must first
tion involving world democracy? The first answer to this
o sffe tSs whole Ses w IS is A thst DsF% objset Of 9' i"tsr rs the shi erg s1a!
cation is the assurance of justice as between nations and peo-
peace, and Without it we e't cannot hope to abolish war; ~ No pos
sible organization of international scope can enforce indef-
Our primary question thus becomes, GLOW shall world
democracy organize for the purpose of promoting interna-
engaging public attention at home and abroad is the forma-
ton of a league of nations to enforce peace. The peace palace
not have a mere peace %automaton but something with a soul
and conscience to ensure abiding peace. There are four pos
sible world agencies for the promotion of peace and interna-
First, the organization growing out of the peace congress
Second, a world organization of the democracy Of labor
under the leadership of American labor, to help prevent armed
class warfare as well as war between nations.
Third, a league of churches representing the spirit OF
Fourth, a league of nations.
.,on These II four possible .! organized u agencies siss.t for the e promo,
congress is an absolute necessity as we'll as an assured event
and a world congress of labor has already been called in Paris:
The proposed league of nations, on the other hand, is still
J. Beverage, of Indiana, who is one of the lvelest opponents
of a league of nations to be found anywhere, refers to it as
a gale of international mysticism, issuing from a foreign
gst Of e sme Mnmu . storm evm" of se N st 7" Senator Reed Of
Missouri, democrat, also bitterly opposes a league of nations,
so opposition is not necessarily partisan.
s.;,e The in nations that III ts sign nr the peace dan,et treaty fo %i1 ;n sffe at e eon-
stitute a League of nations, although they will not necessarily
vocates of that method of promoting peace and justice. More
over there will be no possibility of question about the admis-
case of the proposed league of nations. If the treaty Of peace
is to be binding, it must be signed by Germany, Austrla-Hun-
gary, Bulgaria and Turkey as well as by the United States
and all the allies.
Numerous propositions have been made relative to the
subjects to be discussed by the coming peace congress. Pres
dent Wilson insists that the formation of a league of ma
lions must be a part of the treaty of peace, taking precedence
over all other international issues. United States Senator
Knox, of Pennsylvania, on the other hand, has introduced in
the Senate a resolution that the peace conference 3fys : should &C..
to war, to indicate the ancient rights of navigation establish
ed under international law and to remove forever the German
menace to our peace. The Pennsylvania senator would leave
for future consideration the project for a league of nations
a ana any Ssn sWeep hade eean of M M sne 1one es'a W y po 3sMs oe f ar
future discussion the Presidents planks relative to secret al
ornaments and a league of nations.
If the Versailles peace congress is to formulate a program
fundamental principles which it must write into the treaty Of
peace as suggested in part by President Wilson. In the first
along the lines of nationality. In the second place, the prin-
ciple of self-determination by each nationality as to its form
third place, every nation should be given access to the high
ways of the sea so far as the equitable reimbursement of in
ternational boundaries and the Observation-Disclosures of water
courses, like the Kiel canal and the Bosphorus and the Darda-
nelles, hitherto closed, can make that outcome possible. In
the fourth place, and perhaps fully as important as any other
consideration, the peace congress should provide for the safe
guarding of our attained war aims by a definite understanding
that, "the same necessity again arising, there shall be the
same accord and cooperation with our chief co-benigerents
for the defense of civilization"
With those four fundamental factors assured, the peace
of the world would not be easily menaced. 1t was the alb
sence of these factors that brought on the great war which
began in 1914. Bismarck recognized the fact that Germany
was sowing the seed of undying hate by taking the provinces
of Alsace-Lorraine just as Chill laid the foundation for it's
present trouble with Peru by taking the provinces of Tacna and
africa. Won Motke, the great military authority of Germany
at that time, looking at the matter from a purely military point
of view, held that the Vosges mountains would constitute a
natural barrier against France, while the coal and iron of the
territory involved were a serious necessity for Germany in
any future war. On the other hand France did not mind the
payment Of a great indemnity of 81 1000, O00, 900, deemed at
that time absolutely crushing.
Russia had long labored under a serious disadvantage as
a result Of Turkish domination of the outlet of the Black sea,
which deprived Russia of access to the Mediterranean sea.
The Black sea was thus a closed sea and Russia had no port
open the entire year round. Russia could hope to secure ac-
cess to the highways of the sea only by obtaining possession
of Constantinople, which dominates the Bosphorus. If those