The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-10
SEES REAL PEACE IN
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Charles Edward Russell, Back
From France. Declares
His Advocacy.

Charles Edward Russell, president OF
the Social Democratic League OF the
United States, which embraces nearly
all American Socialists who seeded
from the old Socialist party, returned
yesterday on the liner Nleuw Amster-
dam from Paris, where he attended
cen<er ence OF Socialists Of the allied
countries. The other members OF the
delegation who left with him January
are William English Walling and
Frank Bohn. They will return later.
Mr.. Russell is an ardent advocate Of
while II had defects II was tremendous
advance in civilization and that II put
into operation would make war prac-
tically impossible. He said he would
even advocate making a scrap of paper
of the Monroe Doctrine If it were an
obstacle to the League OF Nations.
Mr.. Russell said there were three
sources OF peril in Europe: The posi-
blity of a failure to secure a League Of
Nations. the failure of the Uell-condi-
toned nations to relieve the economic
distress in Europe and the growing per-
sistence OF the Bolshevik agitation. This
overthrow the foundation of the civiliZa-
ton of the world.
Germany in some respects is better of
than other countries, he said, and added !:
But everywhere the food supply Is run
ming low. OF the neutrals Holland is
suffering most. France is in a serious
economic condition. with her coal and
iron mines wrecked. her factories de-
stroyed and the machinery taken away.
France must have relief. What is the
solution? First, give the world the
League of Nations and let us resume
self rationing and food saving so we may
send relief to the nations that need it.
OF course we cannot feed them all"
The opposition of the thirty-seven
United States Senators to the League of
Nations. Mr.. Russell said, probably was
due to a misunderstanding of the situa-
ton. He suggested that it might be we'll
to send those Senator'S to Europe to get
first hand view OF, things The theory
of America first" Mr. Russell said,
suited him.
The Social Democrats League refused
to attend the Berne conference of So
cialists, Mr.. Russell said, because it per-
mitted German delegates to be there on
an equality with the other delegates. He
said the injurious effects OF that con-
ference already are beginning to show,
and added: 1T was wrong TO put Ger
many on a rehabiltated plane before
declaration of peace, TO permit her dele
gates TO sit with the representatives Of
nations with which she is at war. 1t
see,us like q conformation Of the things
that Germany has done
The Bern conference, Mr.. Russell in
timaled. was irregular Charges of mis-
rer resentation had been made against
its promoters. Some OF the names signed
to the call, particularly that OF Mr.
Gompers, he said were used without au-
thority.
Mr.. Russell does not think America is
in danger of Bolshevikism. On this
point he said organized labor here
| !s anti Bol shevik, as are agricultural in
terests There might arise certain con-
dtions growing out of unemployment
which may cause unrest, but that there
will be any widespread revolt Is unthink-
able
Mr.. Russell said he found the people
Of Europe looking to the United States
for guidance. They regarded President
Wilson as the expression OF America, he
Lsald. .,. -~s1 ~ =.
AS to his own political attitude, Mt
| Russell said: THE Socialist party OF
| the United States has declared I am not
| a member. At the next election l will
| support the candidate Of the party who
| is for League of Nations"
Mr.. Russell said he was against prohi-
| bition because compulsory morality de-
prtves the individual OF his right, and
| because I am opposed 20 the way the
prohibition amendment was adopted.
| and added; There is only one source OF
! true democratic power and that is the
! people. The amendment should be de-
| cidel by a referendum"