The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-18
Knox and Others Will
fully Distort Facts, De
clares Mclaughlin.
TREATY IS SIMPLE.
S O m c Senators Think
They Cannot Under
S t a n d it-Mistakes
Spell Disaster.


vigorously defending the
League of Nations from the at
lacks of its opponents. and de-
cIaring that Senator Knox and
other republican senators have
been wilfuliy and maliciously mis-
representing the situation. Pro
lessor Andrew Cunningham Nc
I.aughlin, LII d, professor OF
history IN the University OF
Chicago. last night in the audi
torium of the jefferson hotel de-
nvcred the first OF II series OF
three lectures which he will give
under the auspices OF Richmond
College The lectures are the
forty second course of the James
Thomas. Jr., foundation.
The war, he said, was waged
against the principle of autocracy
aud to save peaceful democracy
He discussed the league OF nations
AZ proposed remedy for the sub
ssitution of agreement and dis
cussion for force in international
relations. He touched also upon
proposed alterations in the draft
of the leagues constitution.
The speaker declared that he
almost" resents statements 70
the effect that American soldiers
gave their lives for their country
They gave their lives for some
thing bigger, greater than even
our country" ne said They
gave their lives for an ideal. for
a cause
FOR A PRINCIPLE
America. he said. did not 60 into
the war primarily 10 revenge herself
on Germany or TO chastise the Father
land. Il went into the struggle for
principle, and the principle for which
We fought triumnhed
America went into the war because
the time had come for a showdown
between democracy and autccracy.
One or the other had 70 triumph
He has no patience with the man
who SAYS America should mind her
own business, and not NEEDLE in the
league of nations.
The present. he said. is a fateful
m oment in the history OF America and
In the history OF the world. We are
sttli waginE war against the social
forces, of which we are not yet wholly
conscious but which are shaping our
destinas. If we make mistakes now,
he said. no one can foretell the diSas-
trous consequences which will newt
ably result.
Opponents OF President wilson's
ideaiism. he say. contend that ideal
isni brought on the war. This asser-
ton the speaker refuted. Realities
and not fdealsm. he said. have been
playing hob" for the last four and a
half years
Militant nationialisrn. he said. IS
srreading throughout America. and
should be combatted
He would not deny the German
his full need OF praise, He is the
most confoundest logical cuss In the
world ne said,
MUST BACK TIT, LEAGUE
He has no patience for the man who
saws the United States is good enough
for him. Such man is becoming
Teutonixed. This. ne said. was the
cardinal sin of Germany.
He declared that ne saw no use In
having league OF nations unless the
peoples of the nation were going &c
hackstand it
He touched on what he termed
racial enmities. and prejudice against
Britain and Japan. Much OF the pre-
3utdice against England. he said. Is
due TO the misrepresentation of Re
publican senator's. They would make
it appear that the league of nations
ia British scheme; that Great
Britain. with her vote and with less
than one-half the population OF Tho
United States. vote for each OF heI
colonies. will exert twelve times as
much power in the league as vii
America
Britain" he said. they would have
las believe, is putting one over on us
Such arguments. he declared. are fal
lacious. Delegates TO the peace con
ference, he said, have but little power
but. even were the contrary true
the more votes the British Empire
had, the better. "some one of then
might take our side,
Opponents of the league, he said
are seeking TO terrify The constitu
ton of the United States, he said
xpread terror when 1t was adopted: /
looked so large and awe-fnspiring
The league OF nations looks large unit
YOU study it closely, he said. Then
il is simplicity itself although SOM
senator's think they cannot under
stand IT..
There Is nothing compulsory abou
the league of nations. he said. Nation
forming the league must submit Il
their fellow members all argument
and disputes before declaring war oil
other nations.
He told his hearers not to biam
President Wilson or the Democrati
party for the insertion OF the corn
nulgory arbitration clause in thu
covenant The Republicans, he said
have been clamoring for compulsor.
arbitration for years.
Touching on the disarmament o
nations, he declared that unless In
race OF armament is stopped, II VII
crush civilization.
If the league of nations is use'
against the United States. he. said, W
are not bound to respect the treat
Of peace. Our obligation, he said,
moral, not legal,
There Is nothing mandatory abou
The league OF nations, he said BE
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