The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-04
AMERICAS POLICY AT THE
PEACE TABLE.
Reasons Why the United States
should Continue to Observe in
Treaty Making the Wise Precau.
tons which Have Served Us Well.

1, ident Wilson's aims are high, but there
are Indications that he has not meas
,ured accurately the material tendency
OF the Allies after war. as he appar-
entity failed to do that Of Germany dur
ing the FIRST years OF the war II is
hoped. however, that his efforts, con-
Quoted at short range and with his
matchless appeal TO the sympathy OF the
masses, may not be without beneft.
Having no selfish sh..... ons to serve
In entering the war, the people OF this
country would gladly stand back Of him
In his designs for the future security OF
the world II they but had a clearer idea
OF such designs and found they were
such as they could approve. II he fail
| in his mission because OF lack OF that
! support the fault will not be ours.
The spiritual fulflment OF Mr.. Will
sons general plan OF a league OF nations
would require tho abandonment by the
statesmen OF Great Britain. France and
,, Italy OF any purpose of territorial an
nexation inconsistent with the idea Of
! self-determination. whereby the menace
OF future wars arising out OF an in
tensifcation OF racial an!mosities would
oe largely removed Such a course
would establish a foundation OF conf
denee in the efficiency OF a league OF ma
tons TO preserve world peace.
league Of nations created and con-
trolled by those who sanction the
seizure OF alien lands. whether for re-
arrangement OF frontiers for strategic
military reasons or otherwise, would
k,,,
TO protect tho annexationists in their
possessions. Such Aagues have hitherto
existed in Europe and have gore under
the name OF balances OF power"--bal-
ances which. as recent events have
shown. cannot be depended upon 10
preserve an equilibrium when eelt-
interest may turn the scale. II is
gratifying that Mr.. Wilson has given
prompt notice that such a league will
not meet the needs of the world to-day.
and that Il obviously cannot be Joined
by the United states.
II the war is 70 result only In the
destruction OF one Power which sought
the hegemony OF the world, followed by
coerced Encouragement Of nationali-
ties and boundaries and the reestabl!sh-
who gave their lives and bodies for the
presumed cause OF humanity. while they
will not have fought entirely in vain.
will have disposed only OF a present evil
without providing any form OF security
against recurrence OF similar evils
Evidences OF reaction from the lofty
principles declared from time 20 time
by TIE European belligerents are too
pronounced to be ignored ]. this
tendency can in any important degre.
be checked and nstIonslistic ambitions
be suhordnated to what VIC have come
10 regard as the right OF the majority
10 be governed by consent civilization
will indeed have made a g7ea, step for
ward and the spread OF anarchism and
bolshevism will be stopped. The objec:
IS worthy of every effort, and though
4, be rot entirely achieved a, the pres
ent time. some good will no doubt be
attained b. tire position We assume In
respect 10 4:
'lenenceaus apparent attitude on
this subject is understandable as tha,
Of man who has lived among, and ha 5
suffered from. the pcrils Of selfish
neiGhboriy greed. and can see no evil
dence OF such radical changes in human
nature rs will Justify relying for future
protection on mora forces alone. or on
the continued good will Of present day
friends. While praying to God, ne
would Keep his powder dry
ldeai!sm is like the seed OF a dainty
flower planted in field q weeds which
must be eNterminated ard rooted out
before the seed will develop and bloom.
ldes,ism 20 attain its aims. therefore.
must recognize the practical obstacles TO
be overcome and trea: them in a practi-
cal way. One o. the serious difficulties in
the present case is the viewpoint Of the
leaders OF nations that have almost been
crushed out OF existence by superior
force. They have seen that precon-
ceived notions OF the laws OF humanity
cannot be relied upon, and tina, they
mus, provide against all eventuaii,ies
by exercising their own judgment In re-
spect OF what is bcs: for them.
Despite fair words. they seem 10 be
unwilling to submit 70 the guidance q
one who IS fa- removed from the lmme-
date neighborhood OF danger. Pressure
IS sought 10 be eIerted upon them by
invoking right ard Justice" and by
asserting that they are "grea, words. 4"
and that we must not only prove tina.
we understand them, but that I'VE must
have the courage 20 act upon our
understanding II may be unfortu-
nate that in a recent memorable period
We neglected 10 practise what we
preach, and thus have failed TO gain
that confidence In our sincerity that We
really deserve.
For three cruel years We So right"
and Justice" trampled. bleeding, 10
earth, and made TO heroic or self
sacrificing effort in their behalf They
were just as great words" then a 3 they
are now, but We we're held in leash be-
cause, perhaps, we were too proud" 20
act upon our understanding. Our right
TO assume the moral leadership OF the
world may indeed be challenged. 1t Is
unfortunate, because, as a nation. We
do stand IN the front rank Of progress
sive civilization and seek 10 realize our
concepts OF right" and Justice" al
though we sometimes fail.
II will no doubt he urged tina: what
constitutes right and Justice" is In
mary cases a debatable point, and that
they can be attained. before the millen-
mum, only through the medium OF force
applied or feared. Let US not delude
ourselves into the idea that this is or
can be the end OF all wars, even OF all
great wars. When selt-interests clash
trouble begins to brew, and nations that
shall feel security in the inherent virtue
OF ideals will suffer grievous dtssppoin:-