Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1919-05-16
THE OLD AND THE NEW LEAGUE


Z in August Of 1914 there existed a
league Of nations known as the Hague
7 Tribunal It's constitution was the
/ Hague Convention This Hague con-
vention contained every precaution
against war that its authors could de-
wise. and its authors were fully az wise
as are the members OF the present
peace conference. When the German
general stan was reminded OF the pro-
visions OF the Hague convention guar
anteeing the neutrality OF Belgium, tho
Gerr3an premier threw the German
copy OF this convention into the waste
basket with the remark "A treaty Is
a scrap Of paper" England. France
and the United States were signatories
of this same Scrap OF paper The
german armies began 10 ravags Bel
GUM. France sprang to arms in her
own defense. At that time England
had no motive TO enter the war except
her MORAL OBLIGATION under the
Hague convention 20 make good her
guarantee OF the neutrality OF Belgium
England never wavered or hesitated
minute as to her duty under that oh
legation. She entered the war at once
The United States was party 20
the same contract and was under ex-
actly the same MORAL OBLIGA-
TIONS as England to defend the neu-
trality Of Belgium. Every citizen Of
the United States knew 1t at that time
and was ready to join England in full
filling this sacred obligation. Wood
row Wilson was then President. sery-
ing his first term. What motives
prompted him to refuse to carry out
the sacred obligation Of the United
States to make good its guarantee Of
Belgian neutrality no man can know
The war continued and Germany be-
gan making attacks on the United
States itself Germany sank the Lu-
istania and committed hundred other
dastardly crimes against the United
States, aid in the face OF all this
Woodrow Wilson was patronizing and
petting the pro- Germans OF this coun-
try who styled themselves "pacifists"
and secured through them his re-elec-
ton on the amazing platform He kept
US out Of war.
II the MORAL OBLIGATION under
the Hague Convention. which was SUI
ficieat to cause England TO enter the
war, was not strong enough TO induce
Woodrow Wilson, as president of the
United States, to fulfill his obligation,
what reason have We to anticipate that
he, or any other President OF the
United States would be under any
stronger obligations through the VIII
son League as now proposed2
Did Woodrow Wilson keep US out
OF war only SO long as it served his
personal political interests.
He tells Us now that he led US into
the war from purely altIuistic motives
ITO make the world safe for democ-
racy." II so, then why did he permit
England and France TO bear the burden
OF this aitruistie war for nearly three
years before he entered it2
VIII this new league he proposes Z
have any more binding effect upon the
United States or other nations thal
the Hague convention II 50. what
is the source OF its greater powsTs
We are told now that GngSt-6 and /
the United States have snTerel a sep /
arate agreement with France. aside I
from the League of ,Sstions compact. ]
by which they bind themselves to i'm T
come to the ali OF France in I
case the Hun again breaks out Of his
cage and starts TO ravase France /
What assurance has France that il 4
such q catastrophy should confront 1
her as another German war, there I
would not be another Woodrow the
Second in the midst of his first term
as President of the Cnited Stltes nd 4
wish to secure re-ele-Sion on 4 "fIe \
kept us out Of war" platsora'