Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-05-02
MERELY A FIRST STEP

When the principal nations Of the earth have ac-
cepted the constitution Of the League of Nations, and
constituted themselves members of that body, they will
merely have taken the first great step in the direction
OF organized world government. That step in a way is
similar to the one which was taken by the American
colonies during the Revolutionary war. and the manner
In which the negotiations proceeded. and the spirit ex-
hibIted had a parallel in the proceedings Of the colonies
prior to. and under the articles Of Confederation.
Upon their severance from the parent country the
thirteen colonies became separate and independent ma
tons. The idea of a union of time existed through the
entire period. but 1t was some time before it became
definitely formulated. The corporations which existed
during the Revolutionary war, was a military co-opera-
ton intended to meet an emergency, and it was not in
tended. except by a few, that there should be a perna-
nent and indissoluble union. The colonies had or their
people thought they had. rival and antagonistic inter-
ests. They had separate ambitions. There we're jealous
les among them. The relations of some of them at times
approached actual war. They were jealous Of their
sovereignty, and many people objected strongly to the
creation Of any government which should be superior
In any respect to the government Of the individual states.
The first constitution. if it could be called such, was
created while feelings Of rivalry were strong. and it was
necessary to take that feeling into account in formulat-
ing an article of confederation. So much attention was
paid to this feeling that the constitution adopted pro-
vided for a form OF government which was weak and
'eHeGIiVeb du lS lHdoe4uaCy OIL the plan was soon
demonstrated. There followed the last step which was
the creation of the constitution, and the form of gov
eminent which we now have. .. ..- -
The sentiments which actuated the colonies more
than a century ago have been strongly in effect during
these past few months, and have been frequently and
vigorously expressed in connection with the formulation
OF plans for a League Of Nations. Peoples have been
unwilling to waive anything pertaining to their separate
sovereignty. and have looked with distrust and suspicion
The creation at this time OF a League having ample
powers and sufficiently wide Jurisdiction has been an
impossibilty. The plan which has Ibeen followed has
been for the creation of a loose form of union which will
be terminated almost at the will Of the individual nation
and whose actual and inforcible authority is very slight
Nevertheless. important steps in the direction OF real
world government is being taken. 1t remains to be seen
whether the development Of the League will be marked
by the sudden overthrow Of the present or proposed or
ganization in some such manner as the original constitu-
>tion Of states was abandoned and the substitution Of a
League with adequate powers, or either the strongly
world organization will come through a process OF grad
ual evolution by the adoption one at a time Of new meth
odn as those methods are seen to be desirable. But II is
reasonably certain that In some form or other the sreat
tho{oushiy organized world state will come Just az the
\ American nation has succeeded the loose constitution
Of Revolutionary times.
HKIR @I AZs