Evening journal., 1919-08-11
A Great Methodist Churchman
Exposes Mr.. Wilson'S League
IFrom the New York Sun.l

The Rev Thomas Benjamin Nicely, a
Bishop Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church whose labors in behalf Of
sound citizenship and good American
ism have brought him reputation not
second TO that his services 20 his
Church have earned for him. has writ
ten and published an analysis Of ths
League OF Nations into which Presi-
dent Wilson Is endeayoring TO force
the United states which for clarity Of
thought. moderateness OF phraseology
and s0undness OF political doctrine
must command the respectful attention
OF all thoughtful students OF our af-,
fairs
Bishop Nicely approaches the prob
lens involved in the project for a
league OF nations I'm no spirit OF an
tagonlsm. His professional training, his
ministry OF many years duration here
and abroad, his observations Of the
horrors Of war, all unite 10 predispose
him to champion any practicable plan
that may be put forward for the
preservation Of honorable peace. Yet
with the most charitable disposition he
is unable TO support the scheme for
which President Wilson, arrogating 10
himself a representative capacity he
was not entitled to, bartered and com
promised IN the dark in Paris. Bishop
Neely reaches The conclusion 10 which
other straight seeing Americans have
been forced after study OF the cove
nant, that II sets up a supersoyereignty
incalculably menacing 10 the independ-
ence Of the United States TO which the
American people should never give
their assent, much less pledge their
active material and moral support
We cannot in this place adequately
review the careful and painstaking
analysis Of the history OF the Wilson
League as Bishop Neely has written
It from available official data, the ad-
dresses Of men in public life, and the
columns OF the newspaper and per-
iodical press. lie has gone deeply-as
deeply as the secrecy maintained by
President Wilson will permit any
American 10 go-into the record OF
this singular enterprise. With scru-
pulous care he has given due weight |
TO the aspirations Of idealism. and he
has not allowed himself to be preiu- |
diced by the fact that occasionally !
even idealism must compromise with |
existing and potent conditions But he |
has refused TO be blinded 10 the facts |
or TO discard his knowledge of men and |
nations in his consideration OF a con- |
stitution designed to regulate the rela- |
tlons Of men with their fellows. Good |
sense marks his inquest. and good sense |
marks his rejection Of the Wilson |
league and his plea 10 his fellow Ameri-
cans TO save themselves from 10.
Having recalled the splendid history
OF the United states as a power for the
good Of mankind, Bishop Neely declares 4
that ANY power or combination that i
seeks in any way TO control the United /
states Of America so as TO destroy its
political independence, in any sense or
in any degree, should be instantly and
ternally rejected and any proposition
that involves this should be spurned,
and that with contempt Then:
THE so-called League Of Nations
implies such a proposition and in
wolves the destruction Of independ-
ence and the loss Of national SOW
eighty. and therefore should by
every true American be immedltely !