Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-01-15

answer with his accustomed pcnetra-
ton ana learning this particular ar
Sument. but presents in an able and
favorable discussion Of the whole sub
jcct In what | believe is the last pub
'ished volume Of his writings.
DECLARED HI SOMr:
TO HE IMPRACTICAL
AGAIN. Mr.. Chairman. the ultracon-
Scrvativc thinkers contend that the
iirpracticability of tho league is shown
by several histories; examples. They
cite alleged former similar attempts OF
nations. and contend that all OF them
have boon failures For example.
some 900 ycars ago medieval Chris
tendon, undertook to stop fcudal wars
ny league known as the truce OF
Cod" supported by solemn religious
oaths and by armed forces.
roiiowins the peace Of Utrecht. the
Abbe de st. Pie.re in l7l3. published
his scheme for perpetual peace. from
which the Russian Emperor Alexander
developed the project that he submit.
ted TO Pi:t IN 1904, and which was re-
riseh and developed after the down
fall OF NAPOLEON Into what is known
rs the Holy Roman alliance" which
was neither Holy nor Roman and
against which ambitious Undertaking
america proclaimed the Monroe Doc
trinc' There may be other instances.
anu certainly men as great as Grotins
and Kent have devoted profound and
practical consideration to the subject.
AS TO LEAGUES wOyKABu.ITY
am an ardent supporter. Mr..
Chairman. Of the purposes of a league
OF nations, but have some misgivings
m;nis;raticn. But when consider the
iEnneasurab!e loss and weltcr the in
comparable misery and agcny imposed
10y this great war. whose end is not
visible. ] cannot he Indifferent 10 any
plan which aims to prevent repeti-
Won OF such catastrophe. Nor do |
beiieve. MI Cha irinan. that the leagues
i:cniioncd by the eminent publicists
ogy.
The political. social economic and
industrial systems. as we'll as the civ
liizations Of that dsy and of to-day
mems OF our time are not justified in
Withholding from the plan their most
.yfnpatheii" consideration. for one
am not wiling 20 close my cars 10 the
Nt:ccs from millions OF graves: to srut
my eyes to the millions OF wounded
ana suffering peoples and to immcas-
urab!e areas Of destruction and there
BY contribute in the slightest degree TO
Inc embarrassment or defeat Of a plan
10 which stricken world looks for
ward with longing hopes. What other
ccNice or remedy is offered? Shall the
nations tread again the wearison,o
road from Vienna to Versailles: we
cannot stand still.
He that consdereth the wind shall
lOOEnth n IN
clouds shall not reap
80 the voice of the ancient seer bids
rs TO take step. 10 take a chance
Must we not. therefore. ut least give
cur approval 10 tho consideration by
tpe conference Of n league Of nations
supported by u reign OF law based on
the consent OF the governed and sus-
ta!ned by the organized opinion OF
COLLECTIVE; CRIME
.. SHOULD DE PUNISHABLE
MT Chairman, can we not make a
r,orc rational classification of the law?
why. Tor example. should individual
homicide be c.ime and collective HON
ic'de directed by the state be limo
cence? Why should not crimes com
| united by state be the concern OF
an OF the family or nations as much
so as crime by the person is the CON
ccrn OF every individual OF the state?
why should criminal law apply to
;he crimes of persons and the civil
,aw. inc law of property and of con-
tracts. apply 70 the crimes OF nations?
| May not league OF nations afford the
medium by which a rational and moral
rec!assifcat OF the law OF nations
state?
Now can concur. Mr.. Chairman. IN
me criticism that the President would
favor or the conference would develop
would anect the sovereignty of our
nation o. the vigor OF our constitu-
tional system or our internal and do
nestle powers and policies
WAR FOUGHT FOR MORAL.
-, SUPREMACY IN WORLD
but; Mr.; Chairman. We are told
mat the President should be more
oenniie in his expressions as to the
objects and workings of the proposed
League of nations. Is he not as clear
as is Clemenceau's balance OF power"
a aewee,: And is not this balance of
or agreement of nations?
There are leagues and leagues
leagues OF ambition and leagues OF
S SenS Tnnsi and md This great war has
moral forces OF the world Shall We
trudge along the same old road TO
GENE 1@n a again at the end of fifty or a
10 another rain OF bombs. to another
hurricane Of gas. to another upheaval
81 the seas? VIII the years to come
forgive us unless we hold lout now
or peace Will shine longer and more
unlnteTruptedly upon earth than it has
ever heretofore done?
"MoRE C0NvENIEST SEASON.
There Is, Mr.. Chairman. another
criticism Of this immediate subject to
which ] have heretofore alluded. That
may be eNpedient, yet the pending
Versailles conference is not the time
or the place to deal with, the sub
WITH WITH the peace treaty alone. and that
or the seas. and the league OF ma
tions should await for another day
All l have TO say as to this, Mr..
Chairman, is that If these great OBJ
:ects are not considered by this con
Gay and another place. then that other
day and other place may not come
until the world shall have passed