The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1919-01-29

universally satisfactory settlement of
all the petty. puzzling interviewer and
interminable questions which divide
ana inflame the myriad races through
cut the civilized world forgets that
these plenipotentiaries are, after all
OILY finite and fallible human beings.
I, is a task entirely beyond their pow
er. If they attempt to dslker from
Paris either this spring or next au-
tumn an immutable document, sacred
as the laws of the Modes and the Per-
slams, which shall fix by fiat the en-
tire detailed basis of permanent peace
they will but brew for human ty its
bitterest disappointment and for them
selves an eternal draft OF blended
ridicule and disgrace.
They cannot, in the words of the
President ''set up a permanent deci-
sion." but they can "set UP permanent
process"
The practica bill ty of the league of
l. 10
mean by the phrase. If we expect it
to change human nature, we foredoom
it to failure If We expect it TO an
ticipate miraculously the natural pro-
cesses of popular education, We for
get that miracles are out of date.
= we expect 30 impose it on a skep-
teal, urseeing, unwilling world from
above, we are not only departing from
the democratic principles we profess
10 serve, but we are running counter
t. the only method by which the mod
crn world makes real progress. Presi-
dent Wilson stressed this point in his
address of Saturday by his constant
II ferences to the necessity of satisfy
ing net government circles" merely,
but mankind" We are not the
representatives. Of governments" h.
said. but Representatives OF the pee.
Pies"
If the league Of nations is to be
given a firm foundation it must to
based sQuarely and constantly upon
tie consent of the governed. 1t
must carry with it popular approval.
Il must win public confidence.
All this mems a continuing, and not
On Immediately and permanently con
elusive. act of authority. In other
words, what distracted Europe wants
today is not a drumhead court martial,
decree.ng final justice in every case
like the rat-tat-tat of a machine gun,
but a Judicial, impartial, accessible
and permanent court Of appeal.
Ccnceivably. the Peace Conference
might 90 wrors on the Adriatic ques-
ton. on the problem of Z Polish port
on the various Russian disputes, on
q dozen delicate points; but if i
leuves behind it a court, always open
and always authoritative, which sh3
rehear any cause whose first settle.
ment does not satisfy, then blundcrs
will be robbed of bitterness and the
most nsUfferable discomfort will al
ways have a way of escape without
employing the devastating explosion
of war
This proposal increases the practi
cability OF the leagues policy fully 81
ner cent. 1t promises that the con
ference will not attempt to do what
every race in Europe knows it can
not do-hit upon exactly the rght dc
cision in every dispute brought be
fore it; for. even if a decision should
be right under existing conditions
changed circumstances might render il
intolerable in the near future. The
Pl esident has not given up his vision
his vision of d mighty league of ma
lions keeping the public peace thru
out the world as our judicial and pc
lice systems keep it-or presumabl!
do so-throughout this nation. Blu
ne does not ask humanity to shut it
E.. -.