The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-07-30
THOMAS OF COLORADO
BELIEVES THE TREATY
AND LEAGUE CONFLICT
SENATOR NOT YET PREPARED TO
PASS FINAL JUDGMENT ON
VERSAILLES WORK

Washington, July 29-Expressing
doubt as 10 the merits of the League
of Nations, and pointing out that eth
er the league covenant or the peace
of force with which it is linked must
in the end perish, Senator Thomas,
democrat, Colorado, told Che senate
body, he had reached no final decision
as to the treaty of Versailles. While
hoping that the great war had so up
lifted human morality and intellect as
to make permanent peace possible,
Senator Thomas said he could see mo
evidence of such change"
The world is today more turbulent
and scarcely less bloody than before
the signing of the armistice," he said.
The people of no nation on earth
seem inclined to either peace or to the
arts of peace. The passions and dis
content of man rock the earth.
Wars cannot be averted by any
plans, leagues, or precautions unless
the minds of men become averse to
war. and ! am unable 10 accept the
theory that men can be made merciful,
wise and moderate by treaty regula
tions. ! make no pleas for Germany,
She richly merits every requirement
which the treaty has imposed upon her.
But the Germans are human beings.
inspired by human impulses. They
have not accepted this treaty. 1t will
be respected only so long as the allied
powers can dictate.
The League of Nations is interna-
f,-,,, Ia,
substance The spirit of nationalism
was never more assertive than it is
now President Wilson's announce
ment of the right of self-determina-
ton was like deep calling unto deep.
The response greeting it was universal.
Nationalism would be "A menace if it
were not an unattainable dream.
Through no such agency can wars be
banished from the affairs of men.
My study of the causes of human
strife has convinced me, much against
my inclinations, that optimism of those
in times past and of those now living
regarding the establishment of perma-
nent international relations of any
sort must prove disappointing. | am
also aware that we cannot return to
the old conditions and expect to avoid
the old consequences. Hence this ad-
dress is not a plea for treaty rejection.
1T may be better in operation than
it seems in theory l have read the
draft of the league many times, and
am not yet prepared to pass final
judgment upon its merits.
But | have learned that a league
for peace is the unwelcome compan-
ion Of a peace of force. Their ways
are divergent their objects antagonis-
tic. their details Inconsistent. The
league, inspired by unselfish and up
lifting Impulses. typifies peace and
The treaty bases upon
passion and self-interest, embodies sup
preston, reparation, indemnities, par
tition, punishment. The league pro
poses a plan for new order in world
affairs, the treaty perpetuates the old
order The treaty is doubtless the best
that the conflict of ideals and interests
could have produced. But its contend |
ing elements cannot co exist. for
hey are mutually destructive. If the
conditions of the treaty persist. the
league will perish. If the covenant |
lsrvives the treaty must temper its
narsher features to conform with the |
mission of the league.
If | could write a covenant for n |
eague to enforce peace, | would, bear
ng in mind the arbitration treaties of |
1913. and continuing allied association |
for treaty enforcement, confine it to |
he English-speaking nations and col |
Dnies of the world. Theirs are the |
Institutions of free men, theirs the |
wealth, the commerce. If they cannot |
save the world it is past all redemp- |
ion" l