The Port Gibson reveille. [volume] (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1890-current, 1919-03-27
PEACE And THE
LEAGUE OF NATIONS

! The tentative covenant for a I.eaou,
Of Nations that President Wilsor
brought back with him from Europ,
underwent sharp criticism in ths
United States Senate. That IS az il
should be; the project is too momen.
tous for US to neglect to consider
every weakness in the covenant thar
acute and hostile minds can find IN
It. The Senate of course cannot of-
ficially consider it until il receives
the treaty that win embody it, but in
talking about it in advance it can
bring before the country; before the
President and before the Peace Con-
ference valuable criticism by the aid
OF which the provisional draft may be
strengthened and the final form of it
become much clearer in meaning much
SAFER IN its provisions, much more
workable, much more an instrument
70 awaken trust and confidence.
lt must be said Of those who have
taken ground against the league that
tney are quite as earnestly in favor
OF the aims Of the league peace, Sc
curity, freedom--as the most eager
advocates of it are; but they believe
'that that plan has some provisions
cannot be made to work, and that Il
makes what they regard as harmful
concessions. They believe that Aemr-
ica Will lose its sovereignty, and that
the Monroe Doctrine will virtually be
abrogated. They object 20 placing
our government under obligation hi
interfere with military force in dis
putes that occur on other continents
and on demand Of an Executive Coun-
Gil controlled by foreign powers. They
also object ito having any restraint
put on our own independent action in
dealing single-handed with troubles
that concern US and our neghbors. but
that do not concern European nations.
They fear that it is not a voluntary |
association from which the United |
States may withdraw without fighting |
q new war Of secession.
That much can be said in support of
al those points may be frankly adj
mitted. On the other hand, we must I
pear IN mind that the plan undertakes
% create society Of nations on the
analogy OF our civil constitution, in
shich every citizen submits, for the
good OF all, to certain restraints upon
MS absolute personal liberty. In
'orming such society every nation
must surrender something. Just as
n civil communities restraints are
or those who are inclined TO break
avs, SO in this matter, if the interna-
jonal laws be just and we do ndt
'reaI them, we have no reason to
read the future. We may confident
y expect that the associated nations
I'll show as much reasonableness and
consideration for others as our repre-
will show in dealing with
International queations that come be-
ore them Moreover, we must re-
member that We yield no principle
nd no right Of sovereignty chat is
OF also conceded BY every other coun-
~ that joins the league.
What will be done about it? In
the draft as tentative, the
'eace Conference tacitly invites crit
ism and tacitly promises to do more
iork on it TO perfect It. The present
riticisms viii undoubtedly be con
idered: some may be met, others may
G deemed invalid. But when the
'ork is done, 1t will be accepted by
Il the nations concerned unless we
luch mistake the opinion not only of
he United States but Of the world.
he war-wearied people are deter
lined on the experiment, and they
ill have their Way Youths' Com
anion