South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-20
Other Editors Than Ours
WAS HUMANITY READY FOR 1T?
dearborn independently

II it should so fall out. as does not appear improb-
able now. that the covenant of the League OF Ma
tions shall bear little resemblance Of the IA propo-
sitions out of which the idea was born 1t VIII only
indicate that the temper Of the world is not vet at
tuned 20 the higher achievements of which humans
ity is capable.
1t will indicate neither the unwisdom nor INSULT
cheney of the propositions themselves.
There is no question whatever that the plain peo-
pie of the world were strongly favorable 10 and
confident of the reorganization of the world in the
bonds of peace. THE common people heard him
gladly" may be said Of Pres't Wilson wherever he
has appeared. in Europe or America.
But. as of old, the rulers and scribes an~
Pharisees-the reactionaries OF the established gov
ernmental orders-have not agreed with the people.
and, theirs being the power, have prevented the IA
propositions from being fully accepted in the peace
As is always the case when the world meets such
a challenging crisis. it is not the II propositions
selves.
There is no question that fear. ambition. incrusted
habit and vast national pomposity have dictated
many Of the more important reactionary policies
OF the peace conference.
In fact. the only motive that has ever been con-
sistently distrusted throughout the deliberations has
been the motive OF a disinterested sense OF brother
hood for mankind.
Prest Wilson has been struggling for months
face 10 face with the strongest and most determined
representatives of the old order, and Z is confident
" believed that when the true and complete story Of
the peace conference is told II will throw more light
on the causes OF our cosmopolitan errors than can
ne true and complete stoy Of the war. For at the
peace conference the ideas Of the world are in con-
hct. while during the war the conflict was largely
between visible forces. The war has been refOught
~ Paris. and we shall know whether the real war
has been won or not by the results OF that confer
ence.
one Of the ways in which the world comforts it
self for such failures is 10 make a distinction be-
tween governments and peoples.
ooh, well" we say, 1T was not the people. but the
governments who failed 10 grasp the vision"
And yet il is Impossible not TO consider what man
ner Of people the peoples are, to permit their most
servants.
OF determination and self-condemnation. this
governments ever attempt anything which they did
not believe the people would stand?
Whatever failure may come out of Paris. il is not
the failure OF the IDEAL. but the failure OF humanity
10 measure up 70 II. For this failure Is human in its
extensiveness- II is racial in its inclusiveness. No
nation goes free OF the burden thereof Our own ma
tion. the very people OF whose free liberties the idea
ont Of which the League Of Nations was oorn. has
played a very important part. both by open attack
and widespread silent Indifference. in allowing the
spirit OF Europe 20 grow cool and doubtful regard
ing the whole proposition. When the people Of the
United states cannot go s~cOt-free OF the response
bility. what must bee said Of the rest II the world
10 will be an advance. az leas- toward honesty in
publc thought. II we stop looking for someone else
20 blame for these failures. In the last and keenest
analysis they are the failures Of humanity itself
humanity that seems TO be more fearful OF its high
er ideals than Of its lower Instincts.