The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1919-07-19
WORDS OR SWORDS

WORDS OR SWORDS
The French-E nglish-American alliance
that will become an actuality if the recon-
mendations that Mr. Wilson is to make to
the Senate prevail, is frank admission
of the impotency of the league OF nations
to accomplish the primary object for
which, it is alleged, it is to be created. If
France deems it essential to her future
safety that she shall have the guarantees
of both England and America that they
will step in in event of another invasion
from the Germans, it is evident that Gle
menceau and the French place no conf
dence in the league as means of pro-
lection.
And well may the French take the atti-
tude they do 1t was the valiant stand
of the Belgians, holding the Germans at
bay before Liege for two weeks, that gave
the Fenrch time to gather their forces
and save their country from utter destruc
ton. But suppose the league had been
in existence in 1914. Instead of the in
slant and heroic defense by Belgium that,
it is not much to say, eventually saved the
day for France and the allies, we would
have had the war declared matter OF
concern" to the world Forthwith the
secretary general of the league would
have summoned meeting of the council
to consider what measures should be TAX
en- to restore peace. Under article XVII
of the league covenant polite invita-
ton would have been sent to the Germans
to become a member of the league upon
such conditions as the council, after ma
ture elaboration, deemed just Then
would have followed this course, as out
lined in the second paragraph of Ar
ticle XVII:
upon such invitation being given the
council shall Immediately institute an in
quiry into the circumstances of the dis
pute and recommend such action as may
seem best and most effectual in the cir
cumstanceS."
Is it any wonder that the French re-
fuse to put their dependence on such ar
rant nonsenca? Are they to be expected
to risk their future life as nation upon
such drivel? When the Germans appear
ed on the banks of the Mouse and gave
evidence of their intent to cross and lay
waste their country, the brave defenders
of Liege instituted an inquiry of their
own and in about two seconds decided
that the action that seemed "best and
most effectual in the circumstances" was
determined resistance. And they pro-
ceeded to resist to the uttermost, with
the result that, although overwhelmed
themselves, they saved civilization from
obstruction by the Hun
We are not attempting to discuss the
merits Of the question of whether we
should become part of the proposed al
lance. That is another matter, but the
outstanding fact of the whole transac-
ton is that the league of nations propos-
es to substitute red tapeawithout end, di-
plomatic negotiation, and interminable
meddling by an international council of
nine individuals, for the outstanding pat
riotism that responds with instant action
when national honor is in peril. The
French will have none of it. Why should
the United States, the reputation of
whose people for vigorous defense of
right and honor is second to none, permit
themselves to be shackled by such puer-
lie attempt to accomplish with the pen
what the sword alone has been able to
achieve since man was born into the
world?