The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1919-07-29
BREAKING THE HEART OF THE WORLD.

President Wilson declared in his senate speech that
IL we do not adopt the covenant of the league Of nations
as be brought it home. without reservation or amend
ment, We will break the heart of the world" There is
some discussion as to whether this phrase was borrowed
from Laura Jean Libbey, or from D. w. Griffith. the movie
producer. The New York sun asks how it is that Prest
dent Wilson can say this when, a few weeks ago he was
telling Europe that unless the plan were adopted. the
heart of the United States would be smashed, that it
was the one thing America, with united voice. he being
the voice. was demanding.
Dropping these ribald houtings, let Us take a hurried
world census on this heart smashing proposition. The
republic OF China has a population OF four hundred mil
lions. Does anyone claim that Chinas heart will be brok-
en- if the world does not unite TO permanently protect
Japan in possession of Shantung2 India has three hun
dred millions. Does anyone in his senses believe that
India will be heartbroken if the territorial integrity Of
the British Empire is not forever guaranteed Egypt han
a few millions who probably would not vote for this guar
antee; there are a good many millions more in Africa.
What about Ireland? Public opinion in both the beIig-
erent and neutral countries is more sharply divided than
the people Of this country have been permitted to know.
There has been no such popular discussion Of the question
in the Latin American countries as 10 permit a showing
Of sentiment. The people Of Australia. Canada and New
Zealand cannot be said to be by any means a unit; there
is strong opposition in all these countries. Who knows
whether or not the heart of Russia, with her hundred mil
lions. will be smashed by the changes in the covenant
How preposterous then, the oracular statement that
the worlds heart will be broken unless the senate OF the
United States adopts the world constitution brought homn
by Mr. Wilson without the dotting of an i" or the cross
ing of a II, Mr.. Wilson has no means of knowing that
he speaks the truth in the matter, and there are numer-
Gus evidences that he does not. II is true that the hearts
of some OF the European and Asiatic diplomats with whom
President Wilson was closely associated may lie deeply
disturbed if he fails to make good his promise 10 deliver
the United States senate. But that the world as a wholsA
or the majority of the people in the world, will feel Il
thrill of anguish if the sacred covenant is changed, is as
untrue as the assertion that the rest of the world IS ready
TO accept our moral leadership in the league, once es-
tsblished.
We have had various manifestations Of national jim
Eosm and "blow-hardism" in the worlds history, but the
assertion that the world in general accepts the doctrine
of our moral superiority. our" being used to mean Mr.
Wilson's own moral leadership. is more offensive 10 the
rest az the world than any other exhibition OF this kind
heretofore publicly made. The moment We embroil our
selves IN every world quarrel, We lose all credit for that
disinterestedness which heretofore honest arians
the world over have been willing TO concede TO US. and
we will be accused OF a desire to use our power 10 NEEDLE
in and control the affairs of other people.