Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-01-24
LEAGUE OF NATIONS

The question of a League of Nations has become so important to
the future of the whole world that even the humblest citizen must be
interested in the-anssrn. Until President Wilson got behind the
idea a-I incIuded it in his fourteen points for the restoration of peace
the suggestion of the League Of Nations was looked upon $ visionary
and impiacticable.
II was largely because the statesmen of Europe were beginning to
lose ath in the idea of a League of Nations, now that the war has
eaded. that President Wilson went to Europe for the purpose of seeing
this most desirable plan adopted.
Ii is evident now that the necessity Of the Presidents visit to
Europe was far more pressing than was at first supposed. President
Wilson doubtless realized this when he insisted IN going 10 France
even in the face of the bittercst opposition ON the part of the great
majority of the people here at home. His mistake. doubtless, was in
not informing the people more fully as to the actual conditions as they
developed in Europe.
With the President on the ground, the League of Nations idea
rapidly gained in favor. especially among the masses in the respective
allied countries. The details of such a league is left for the peace con
ference to work out, but the general plan to have all nations get TO
gethcr at stated period, and thrash ont their quarrehS and difficulties
around a conference table instead of resorting 10 arms, is so desirable
and so logical that it cannot help but meet with the approval OF the
world.
Of course. a League of Nations, in order to be of any value, must
have some force behind it. When the people Of any community get
into a dispute and cannot settle it themselves, they appeal to the
court and a decision is rendered either by a Judge or jury and such
decision is final. The power of the state backs up such decision and
the state is in a position to enforce the final decree. In a League of
Nations, there must also be some power behind those who render a
decision in order to see that the verdict is carried out. This force will
have 10 consist of some International organization composed of the
armies aud naves of all countries associated in the league. Regardless
Of what the decision may be, this international force must be used to
see that the decision is lived up to. Naturally, everybody cannot be
satisfied; there must always be a losing side. But the loser cannot
resort To arms and fight for what he failed to obtain through the
court he must be made to abide by the decision as final. ALeague of
Nations founded on some such principle would go a long way toward
bringing about universal peace and putting an end to wars for all
time.
There are few people who are actually opposed TO this plan, but
there are many who differ as TO how it was to be enforced and some
gre even skepteal AS to It's success at this stage of our civilization, An
Interesting debate is now being carried on in the columns of he EVEN
ING NEWS between prominent members Of the United States senate.
Those who favor the League of Nations and those who oppose it are
having their opinions set forth, side by side, in order tina. the public
IN general may read both sides and be able TO judge for themselves
: from the respective arguments. When all is said and done, however.
4 must be admitted that nothing will ever be gained until an effort is
raade in the desired direction. If ever there was an opportunity to
Try out the idea of a League of Nations, that opportunity has now ar
rived when practically every civilized country is represented at the
conference in Paris to restore peace and remake the map of the world.
Forward looking men, therefore, will at least favor giving the
League of Nations a genuine tryOut. If civilization is not advanced
Ear enough for different nations to settle their quarrels by peaceful
means that fact can soon be found out. With our recent experience
with war, however, there is reason to believe that such a method Of
solving International problems can be successfully established