The sun., 1919-07-30

may indeed be wholly erroneous. but
hope that they may contribute In some
small measure TO the solution of our
difficult task. Let us perform II rever-
entity and with abundant care, accepting
assurances only when they are fortified
by the events Of the past, and rejecting
predictions which cannot stand the test
Of patient, exhaustive analysis"
The Senator said he we'll knew that
ornaments tend TO war and are no guar
antee Of peace, and that the argument
that the League of Nations is the neces-
sary forerunner OF disarmament was a
powerful argument in It's favor He said
he had read the draft of the league
many times, and while unready to pass
final judgment on It's merits he had
learned that "a league for peace IL the
unwelcome companion OF peace Of
force.
Their ways are divergent, their OBJ
jects antagonlstic, their details incon-
sistent. They come to us as one instru-
ment. They are so interblended that ia
mlliarity with the whole Is essential to
an understanding of It's parts. 1t IL to
me a source of regret. and l am sure
that the two could not have been for
INFLATED as distinct and separate proto-
COILS a course that its trainers would
have adopted had the conditions at YER
saiiles made II possible.
THE league. inspired by unsclfsh and
uplifting motives. typifes peace and re-
conclliation." he continued. The treaty,
based upon passion and self-interest, em-
bodies suppression, reparation, indemni-
ties. partition punishment"
care Mutually Destructive"
Mr. Thomas dilated at length ON the
divergent detectives of the treaty and
the league. Concluding his address the
Senator said:
"But its contendlng elements cannot
coexist, for they are mutually destruc-
tive. II the conditions Of the treaty
persist the league will perish. If the
covenant survives. the treaty must tenn
per Its harsher features to conform with
the mission of the league. Both can
not endure. In some form the treaty
probably will be ratified. and time will
determine which of its purposes will sur
vive the other
IF 1 could write a covenant for a
league to enforce peace. would, bear
ing In mind the arbitration treaties OF
1918. and continuing allied association
for treaty enforcement, confine Il to
the English speaking nations and col
onies of the, world. Theirs are the in
stitutions of free men. theirs the wealth.
the commerce. They are carriers OF
the sea. They advocate and enforce
the impartial administration of Justice
and of law. They control the arma-
ments and can mobilize the armies that
may be needed to enforce the peace
between nations.
mo people would disregard the adj
monition or reject the counsel Of such
league. It's benign influence. the ripe
fruit Of centuries OF experience In self
discipline which is the parent Of self
government. shedding its rays over the
habitable globe. guaranteeing protection
and extending aid to those not yet able
to move unsupported along the pathway
Of national development, would do more
to minimize the danger of war and pro-
mote the ways and the arts of peace
than any other international understand
ing the wit of man can devise. And
II these nations be true to themselves
and to the impulses of their common
origin, whatever we may now do or fail
to do. these will in time be leagued by
destiny for the harmony and well being
Of all mankind. II they cannot save
the world it is past ali. redemption"