The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1919-04-03
Some Lessons from History
WILLIAM +. FREELAND
Mutua! Respect or Written Leagues
Among Nations, Which?

pOAlAlGldu1 GA'i III IIl'I - "a 70 .fi %
the proposed League of N lion4 is al
most il not quite equal to that Of these
same orators when they ru>ori l'autr
cally up and down the land txoiIng .
Leadership that kept US ont oil war or
cause it was too proud to fight, Ameri
ca was deceived because the Iact,
were not revealed until some months
later when it suddenly seemed desir
able to this leadership that we embark
uuprepared upon the great struggle
that patriotic and clear-yisioned men
like Col. Roosevelt and GeL. Wood
had Iorseen and urged US TO prepare
10 meet
New things are not 10 de condemned
because they are new or old things be
cause they are old. The test CT ser.
vice is the true measure. II a farmer
has trustworthy horse that has served
him we'll for years he does not lightly
trade him for an untried colt, especial
ly il the dam and sire Of the colt have
had bad history. Our American gov
eminent has served US we'll. We do
not doubt but that time will show US
possibilities for some improvement but
that we should rudely and unthink'
ingly cast aside the government that
our fathers builded with much labor
and hardship for a League Of Nations
that will mix US with the hodge-podge
OF the world is more than the mass Of
patriotic Americans can approve. Not
even the special pleading Of Mr.. TAFT
nor the fury Of Mr.. Wilson's anger can
force US to move from the path Of
clean cut Americanism.
In this series Of articles l have had
occasion to refer to the spoilation Of
Silesia by Frederick in the face of his
solemn promise TO respect the rights
OF the Austrian crown. At that time
noted how the old emperor fearing
that there might be some opposition
to the descent Of the crown TO his
young and beautiful daughter had pro
mulgated the "Pragmatic Sanction"
To make things sure he secured the
agreement Of all the prominent nations
Of the world including Prussia, then
ruled by Frederick, later known as the
Great. This was one Of the numerous
Leagues OF Nations that have been
wrecked along the pathway Of world
ambitions. When It suited the pur-
pose Of Frederick 10 treat his pledged
word as a scrap 0! paper the League
vanished into nothing and the young
Queen found that there was no safety
except 10 her own strength.
Coming down 10 more recent times
We remember that there wss a League
Of Nations - secure the integrity Of
Denmark in the matter Of Schleswig.
HosteiD. The powers Of Europe had
coveuanted that the right OF Denmark
should be respected. Then relying
Upon promise aud an em6ellished
treaty they went 10 sleep. Bismarck
desired Schleswig- Hoistein and noted
the sleeping nations. With a studied
insolence he set TO work 10 take what
he wanted regardless Of this League.
Trusting in the League Denmark went
her way unsuspectiDg and unpreparsd
Paral,ttd by short visioued leader.
ship England slept. Bismarck did no
ieel it wise 10 attack until the stage
was set. When he did the blow vas
sudden and Overwhelming, Before
the League Of Nations awoke Bismarck
had the booty and was ready 10 defy
any League to take it. Naturally the
nations did not fight lor there was no
visible immediate danger TO their own
interest.
IN 1914 there was a League Of Ma
tions to protec! Belgium. Relying up
on this Belgium was unprepared. She
trusted to the League. Switzerland
had not been so foolish as to trust her
life and safety to promises to the neg
iect Of measures fer her own protection.
Every citizen Of that little nation able
to bear arms was trained. So it hap
pened that the kaiser looked nDon
Rslpiun nfofected bv z Ieague of Ma