Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1919-07-04
The Worlds Next Step
NO.
IL the League Of Nations . Workable
PianP


Branch of League to Enforce Peace
II is remarkable fact that. In all
the opposition that has come out to
the ratification Of the peace treaty
containing the draft of the league of
nations as II stands, scarcely a single
responsible American statesman has
come out fatty against the principle
of a league to enforce peace.
Many have expressed serious doubts
as to whether or not il would work.
Others have said that this was not
the time TO establish II. and that II
should wait until after peace was
signed. Still more have pointed ont
this difficulty and that; and. BECAUSE
the American people are very largely
headline renders, the impression has
gone ont that great number Of sena-
tors are unalterably opposed 10 any
sort Of league Of nations whatso-
ever.
There is no doubt that some O;
these objections 10 the ratification
providing for treaty are sincere
Some Of them may not he. But The
fact remains that nearly all these
statesmen Who depend upon the
people for votes have left open a way
of retreat so that, if it finally devel
ops that public sentiment demands
the league II can never be shown that
they were unaiterably against II.
There are many. on The other hand.
who have so definitely committed
themselves 10 the idea Of league CT
nations that they leave no looIbole
through which they may crawl If the
idea is not favored by American SoS
ers. They have the courage Of iheif
convictions. They are SO sincere thai
they are ready TO stand or fail On
their records.
Sneh man is William Howard Taft.
formerly president Of the United
States. BY no stretch of the ini II
nation. could he be considered rs back
ing league Of nations favored by
President Wilson through partisan mo-
tiyes. Here Is what Mr.. Taft had to
say IN a public speech al Helena.
Mont. The day after he had hid Tie
opportunity Of reae.ng the draft of
tho constitution Of the league Of ma
Tons rs cahied FROM Paris:
"As lovers Of your country and as
lovers Of mankind ! ash yen to ase an
your influence with our senators 10
have tie treaties emhodyine the
league Of nations idea ratified. II Ii
real league OF nations. Ii Is not ai
hat ] vfshed, bun comes near II i
great deal bette than ! hoped Ii
contains within its terms provisions
for its own growth. Indeed the oxi
geneles Of ihe European situation Z
the sphere Of the league VIII probably
require additional and more stringent
provisions IN sofae respects than ~
pear IN the present plan
There should be 10 doubt Of rs mp
proyal by the senate when il Is EN-
bodied in the treaty.
Mr.. Taft evidently is convinced that
the league win work President VIII
son believes II viii work. Lloyd
George believes il viii work. Even
Clemenceau OF France believes II wiz
work. It has the complete support
of the Italian government, which be-
iieyes Il VIII work. The little nations
turn to It as their enly hope Of safety
They believe It viii work.
II all of these people and these ma.
tons believe the league viii work how
can II fail to work? The only apnar
ent chance Of is failing 20 work wonla
be in case there were enough strong
powers against it. while IL IS young
and nniried to keep il from working
But here you find the powers az Tor II
Who is going 10 try 10 upset it--som,
power like Liberia, or Il beaten ana
helpless Germany: Why, even Ger
many now hopes il win work ana uori
In hurry, for without il there is NJ
limit to the penalties that yicsoilou,
aeighbers might impose.
And the peoples of the world. eyes