Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-02-24
Statement By Taft and Others
Declare Failure of. League
Might Result in Another De-
vaStating Conflict.
ALLIES WON BECAUSE
OF COOPERATION
United States World Power
and Can Not Escape Risks.
It Must Assume Because OF
Exalted Position.
isv MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED w,erl

Bitter Creek, Wyo,, Feb. 23.-Ap-
peal 10 the people of the United
States to express their opinions on
the proposed league of nations $50
clear and strong that our representa-
tives in congress may know that the
people of the United States are de-
termined to assume their part in this
crisis of human history was made in
statement issued here tonight to
the Associated Press by William How
ard Taft and other members of the
party touring the cuntry in the in
terests of the proposed league.
Asserting that the alternative to
league of nations is the heavy burden
and the constant temptation of uni
versal armament and that without
league a new war of even greater d.
mansions is threatened, the state
ment points to the disorganized state
of Europe and possibilities of Ger
man autocracy again getting the up
per hand.
The statement, issued as their train
reached here, was signed by Mr.. Taft,
Henry Morgenthau, A. Lawrence
Lowell and Henry Van Dyke. 1t bears
the caption, "An Appeal TO Our Eel
low Citizens" and is as follows:
Cooperation Necessary.
THE war against autocracy has
been won because the great free ma
tons acted together and its results
will be secured only if they continue
to act together. The forces making
for autocratie rule on the one hand
and for violence of Bolshevism on the
other are still at work. In fifty years
the small state of Prussia so organ
"a
world. In tlfe present disorganized
state of central and eastern Europe
that can be done again on a still larg-
er scale and menace all free institu-
tons.
yThe death of millions of men and
the destruction and debt in another
world war would turn civilization
backward for generations. In such a
war we shall certainly be involved
and our best young men will be sac
rificed as the French and English
have been sacrificed in the last four
years.
such a catastrophe can be pre-
vented only by reconstruction of the
small states now seeking self-govern-
ment on the basis of freedom and JUS
tice, but this is impossible without
league. for, divided its members are
not strong enough for the task
Should the victorious nations fail to
form league, German imperialsms
would have a clearer field for their
designs
Cannot Avoid Risks.
"By the abundance of its natural
resources, by the number, intelli-
gence and character Of its people, the
United States has become a world
power. 1t cannot avoid the risks and
must assume the responsibilities of
its position. 1t cannot stand aloof
but must face boldly the facts of the
day with confidence in itself and in
its future among the great nations of
the earth.
United as never before, our peo-
pie have fought this war. United
and above party, we must consider the
problems of peace, resolved that so
far as in us lies, war shall no more
scourge mankind
'frhe covenant reported to the
Paris conference has come since the
last election and the people have had
no chance to pass judgment upon it,
In this journey from coast to coast,
we have looked into the faces Of
more than 100000 typical Americans
and believe that the great majority
of our countrymen desire to take part
IN Sucn ledSue as is proposed IN
that document. We appeal to our
fellow citizens, therefore, to study
earnestly this question and express
their opinions with a voice so clear
and strong that our representatives
in congress may know that the people
of the United States are determined
to assume their part in this crisis of
human history.
THE alternative to a league of ma
lions is the heavy burden and the
constant temptation of universal ar
mamegt.'