Omaha daily bee., 1919-05-25
League Alliance and
Prohibition

what are we to do now for pro-
lection from war;
Not long since we were assured
mat II we had the league it would
put an end to wars and without it
'hey would continue to destroy life
anu property. And the promoters
were so touchy about it. that II any
one objected to any part of 1t, or
wanted It's statements clarified so
'iat the contract or covenant said
PLAINLY Just what it meant, and
then Just as surely meant what it
SAID they were charged with being
opposed to peace and in favor of
war But. horror of horrors. here
comes Its trainers and say it will not
work They say plain as can be
by action, and so plan three
legged stool for the throne of peace
IN the shape of an alliance of the
three great nations to help one an
other IN case of war, or two Of them
to help the third member in case
some one made war on 1t.
Now. If that Is not fatal admis-
sion of the leagues weakness then
read the almanac wrong. for the
best statesman in the bunch can not
rub that out or explain away so as
TO mean anything else. No matter
what they claim it is needed for, it
is on ground already covered by the
league covenant, and II that is
bunk, then say SO and ask for this
as a substitute, that would give ii
some standing, otherwise neither
one has any
Nothing that has been done by
It's enemies has so weakened the
league scheme or made more doubt
full its being ratified than this new
move for a sub-league in order to
protect France in case Germany
made war on it. Now, Is not that
the truth? A very able editor Of a
great city daily says that without
this new thing the league would be
entirely worthless, but with it all
would be secure.
Then let us have It alone il it is
that much better than the league.
But the two-headed calf becomes a
monstrosity, not even At for a
dime musee.
Then there are other things that
are helping to weaken the common
faith in the league and it's useful
ness. And there are the cries for
a large army and great navy, both
of which are at variance with the
league promises. Many millions of
people in this and other countries
were growing hopeful that some
plan might be evolved that would
at least lessen the danger of more
If
done away with, who today are
losing heart and faith in the whole
scheme and its promoters, and l
pity them rather than censure
them. They have reason to be down.
hearted. Let us hope for sun
shine. Better be happy in antici-
patton long as you can, and then
be sad when you must, for there is
must enough in the world to take
lots of the joys out of life.
Note, for instance, the request of
the president to nullify the wartime
dry law. Yet people have no room
to be surprised, for he was opposed |
to its passing. Congress was about |
to pass such bill or better one, a
national prohibition law, but he OBJ
jected. Then last fall in answer to
the cry for such law by the dry
element and by anti-dry people, too,
as a war measure to save food as
well as manhood. So the president |
said he would not agree to it unless
the food control board thought it |
necessary to conserve food, and they |
gave emphatic answer that they |
wanted it done. Then congress made /,
4 little bit of an insert in the agricul- |
ture bill and left time and terms to |
him, and the bill reads: THAT |
after June 80, 1919, until the close
Of the war, and the rehabilitation
Of the army =" And that |
act was passed on November 81,
1918, 10 days after the signing of |
the armistice, and I believe they |
promised in February or March this
year to have the boys home in
June. Now, if they should, where
would have been your prohibition
aw? Off the books of course.
No wonder the brewer winked his
eft eye and said: That is not so
worse, by golly." That very cater
ing to them is going to prolong the
light and greatly lessen the chances
Of final victory over rum. But the
strong forts of his party in the
north are built largely out Of that
And it is northern votes
hat count with them, for any old
hing goes with the solid south, if
The trade mark is blown in the
bottle.
Born in the south, but not q
thank you.
York. Neb. FRANKLIN POPE.