The Republican journal., 1919-03-13
WE MUST DECIDE.

The reception which the proposed COW
enant of the league of nations received in
this country, must have suggested to
President Wilson that he made a mistake
in not consulting the Senate before he
departed on his self advised mission to
Europe In discussing the covenant,
Senator Owen, chairman of the Commit
tee on Banking and Currency, bluntly
told the Senate that it contained much
which was bad. Senator Hitchcock,
chairman of the Committee on Foreign
Relations sent a shiver down Democratic
spines when he frankly admitted that
the covenant meant Observation-Disclosures.
Senator Reed, chairman of the Commit
tee on Public Buildings and Grounds,
ard member of eight other important
committees, said that six or seven ma
tons would dominate the league and boss
the world These men ere all Democrats
and there was not lacking other Demo-
cratic testimony along the same line of
thought. There were very few Sena-
tors, either Democratic or Republican,
who expressed unqualified approval OF
the covenant as presented in its text.
Whatever they may have heretofore
hoped or believed, it is now known
cover there" that Mr.. Wilson is not the
whole thing over here. Up to the time
when Mr.. Wilson embarked for home
the real wishes and purposes of England
I1al
dinlomatic expressions, but today their
wishes are freely voiced IN their news
naDers. doubtless with the consent and
nerhaps at the suggestion Of those higher
nm. England is far from being satisfied
with the covenant as it has been present.
I'd Her real wish is that the United
States shall assume mandatory power in
certain sections of Europe, and to pro-
+ect. govern and defend these portions OF
territory by such means and force as
NAV he thought necessary by league OF
nations, wherein the United States viii
he in pitiful minority England does
not saw so in Just that way but that IS
what England desires. Six weeks ago
some incautious Briton said that Turkey
would be a desirable country for US to
control This suggestion was silenced at
once and Armenia was blandly suggested.
ENGLAND is already topheavy with man
datory power in different parts of the
world. and her ttempts to get toothold
in the near east have not turned out well.
Here IS now and here viii continue to be
a danger zone for many years If our
country coulc he induced to place here
her resources ard power, it would be an
excellent thing for England in a military
way ana she would escape great respon
sibilities and lose very little trade, Italy
would favor this. arrangement. 1t would
delight that country to see the American
Navy on guard in the Adriatic and an
American Army within striking distance
of her numerous foes. France has little
interest in the dreams of Mr.. Wilson,
the schemes of England or the desires of
italy. France las had TWO bitter expert
ences with the Huns. She is now sorely
stricken and poor. The men and women
of France shudder when they think what
German greed and cruelty may intlict on
their childrens children. France asks
for a league Of nations made p of all
tie Allied powers, each covenanting to
maintain an Army and a Navy, each of
strength to be mutually agreed upon, and
to rush together against Germany when
ever she attempts TO destroy any member
Of the league France is the nation
which must meet the first shock of any
future aggression towards the west,
France needs the sort of league for which
she asks. A league of nations which
will safeguard France, and etfectually
bar the pathway Of Germany to territor-
jal expansion in the near east. and put an
end to her intr CUES in Austro- Hungary
and the Balkan States, would doubtless
preserve peace in Europe for long time.
The covenants of the league now present.
ed seem to US to be too indefinite and
spineless to be seriously considered as
guarantee of peace in years to come 1t
seems to US to be folly to establish a
league which has no power except to
talk We believe that if league is to
be formed it should be stalwart league
having militant power sufficient to en-
force it's decisions. Any other sort of
league cannot prevent war. England,
France and Italy are ready to pledge
themselves to such a league. Is the
United States ready to Join and accept
her share of this work and responsibility?