New-York tribune., 1919-07-31
Basis for a Real League

The reasons given by the President
for the ratification of the French treaty
are strong, but scarcely the strongest
that may be set out.
We should ratify this treaty in rec
ogntion of the service done for us by
Yance 140 years ago, when she helped
Us gain our independence, and again in
1914, 1916 and 1916, when she pro-
tected our future liberty and that of
herself and the world from the greatest
peril which has beset Western civiliza-
ton since the Mahometans were hurled
back.
We should also ratify because such ac-
ton seemingly offers the only discover
aole opportunity to make league of
peace actual and to lift from coming
generations the necessity Of constantly
preparing for war. All those who have
indulgcd the noble hope of so using the
power created by victory as to pre-
vent future wars must see the necessity
OF perpetuating the power thus assem-
bled, and of so using it as to give ti',
world a peace of justice and of equailt;
Z right.
The league of nations as it is pro-
v,ded for in the covenant is motor,
lat ore without a sparkling device or
I .el to make its wheels turn. There are
:. cylinder and a piston, but there is no
J over plant. The motor is a dead one,
or almost dead. No action can be taken
except by unanimous consent, and the
world without the covenant can now
do what it pleases by unanimous con-
sent.
The French treaty, taken in connec-
ton with the similar treaty ratified by
Great Britain, means conjunction Of
power that will put vitality into the
league. The three nations, responsible
to themselves, to the world and to the
future, will together, functioning as
nauch as possible through the league, be
able, unless false to themselves and
TO their high responsibility, to in
sNrc a peace Of justice for an in
definite period. There is no other way
The union of the three nations will
mean that to the wish to do right will
be welded the ability to enforce right
There must be this joinder if the world
is to have safety. Nothing else is in
sight adequate to the achievement of
the great end. No other nations can
fc trusted to be trustees for mankind,
slthouyh It is to be hoped that many
soon may be, and that when they are
~~l, b. L.
company Of world trustees.
There is discussion as to whether or
not the French treaty is compatible with
the league of nations idea. There is not
only compatibility, but a closer relation.
The French treaty is the fulhlment of
the covenant-more than fulhlment,
veritable life spirit breathed into it's
torpid body.
The President did not see fit to ex-
press the large truths relating to the
French treaty, and hence there is great
er reason for others to emphasize them.
These truths have been somewhat OBJ
scured by the attention given to small
matters. But they shine with their own
light, and it may be predicted that they
Will yet be assessed at their true worth.
France, Great Britain and the United
States-here, with such cooperation as
1ney can secure, are the peace maintain
ers, even as they were the war enders.
Ihey should pool their resources and
dedicate the total to peace, thus creating
real league of peace-one that will
junction through Geneva when such
seems to promise the best results. but
otherwise when it shall be necessary