Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-03-17
IF LEAGUE OF NATIONS WILL
MAKE WAR LESS LIKELY 1T
WILL MEET TEST--F. G.. TRACY

The real test of the proposed league
of nations is not absolute prevention
of war, says Francis G.. Tracy, Of
Carlsbad, prominent stockman, in u
letter to DR.. David r. Boyd, chair
man of the publicity committee of
the League TO Enforce Peace,
1t is. he adds. explaining his view:
VIII the league make wars be-
tween the associated nations, or
against them, less likely and at the
same time have a salutary effect on
the peace of the whole world ?" He
believes that this result would be
worth the effort and cost.
Mr.. Tracys statement, written in
reply to a request from the publicity
chairman, follows:
"a | certainly believe in the gen.
eral principle Of and in the necessity
for a league of nations to cultivate
and encourage peace and good Will
throughout the world 1t would seem
to me an even sadder commentary
upon the limitations of the human
intellect, if after being forcibly com
PEELED to form league for self-pre-
seryation in time of war, we shall
find ourselves unwilling or unable 10
cooperate heartily in a permanent
league to prolong and to fully enjoy
the fruits of that peace humanity
has sacrificed SO greatly to obtain,
and which is even yet by no means
assured.
First, therefore, we must be certain
that we have n secure peace and a
decisive and just settlement of the
present war as a foundation upon
which will rest our whole future.
Too broad a league; too many prob
lens attempted at one time; too
many new boundaries drawn; toe
many nations born; all these lead to-
wards chaos.
(2) 1t seems to me the people OF
the United States bear today a heavy
burden of responsibility toward all
mankind The peoples of Europe
have passed the limit of human en-
durance-they look to us for balance
sanity, clear vision, safe ideals. If We
fail them now, If we lose that high
purpose and spirit of sacrifice which
carried us so nobly through the wal
and begin to lose faith in ourselves
in each other and in those who at sc
high cost have until now preserved
the liberties of the world, for them
selves and for u.s. then all Is lost anc
our whole civilization is destined &c
perish. Surely this is no time-at the
very moment OF victory. for us tt
raise the cry which comes from tins
sinking ship, Save yourselves" "Ev'
cry nation for ITSELF America ovei
al'"
Therefore | believe that it will b'
not only wonderfully advantageous
to the United States but | believe /
is necessary for our preservation ah'
future development that our sover
eighties should be merged to Ger
tain extent with the sovereignties o.
all who strive to carry onward thu
banner of civilization.
go As to the details of suci
league of nations as may be practl
cable at this time and suggestions fo'
amending the constitution alread,
proposed. Prior to the present wa
there were problems before who's
solution modesty might have hesitat
ed. But craftsmanship has been 81
| completely discrediated bv the event
of the past four years that W sdon
will be sought diligently, even hope
| fully, in the United States senate ant
! other equally unlikely places in spit
of the present attempted monopoly il
! that commodity. 1t is for this reason
| and because no corner in any human
product has hitherto proved perma
rent that I venture to register m
disappointment that the title was no
| confined to the indefinite article
| league of nations, or way was no
| formed TO make the league NOR
| dem ocratic.
Why should we claim to be ioinin'
union of "all of u.s. when In FAC