Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-09-26
THE LEAGUE AND AMERICA

Premier ClokneDceAus assertion that the League OF
Nations can exist without the United States, and his IN
sdstence on ratification by the French chamber without
unnecessary delay may be accepted In part as an answer
to the statement which has been 20 onensieely made in
the United States senate that the other nations Of tho
world must take us ON our own terms, and that without
the United States their league falls to the ground.
Whether or not his statement was made with this dec
laration in mind. clernenceaus declaration serves as a
very effective counter to that statement. There is moth
ing in II derosatory OF the United state4 nothing Of 4
sllshting nature. There s rather the expression Of the
settled conviction OF the French Administrations that the
Leagc> of Nations is q beneficial thing, and ono whose
creation must not be hindered by the failure Of one ma
ton to recognize is destrabtlity. The French prernisr
undoubtedly hoped for<the inclusion Of the United States
IN the League, and he would not be SO foolish a. to hold
that it makes no difference whether this nation Joins or
not. But he is convinced that even without the United
States the League will be worth while, and he is deter
mined to do all that he can to make it a certainty.
Great Britain has already ratified the treaty which
contains the provisions for the League. The French ad-
ADMINISTRATION is committed to the same program, and the
vote by which its strength was recently tested shows
that 1t can force the issue and bring about ratification
Whenever 1t feels 1t expedtent to do 10. The vote of either
Japan or Italy will make the treaty effective az 1t af-
fects AZ the powers that have signed. so that We may
assume tnat tho creation OF q League of Nations under
the constitution prepared at Versailles IL not only posi-
BILE but certain. It is not an,iss to consider what will be
tho position OF the United States If the League Is thus
created without her participation.
OF course there are those who demand thar the
United States shall maintain its position OF. Splendid
Isolation, and have nothing 70 do with the afairs Of
other nations These will be quite satisfied with the
prospect Of a world league Of which We are not MEM
bers. They have often urged that we 70 our own way
ana allow Europe to 90 herr. They win reiterats the
statement that the Leasue needs the United States, and
that it cannot function successfully without this NATION.
y Is granted that the League needs America. Tho ab-
greatly But II the Leasue needs America, 1t must not
70 iofgo1sn that America also needs the League.
e ~ years ago many Of Us looked with unconcern.
60 dstAchnent on the sertss Of Balkan wars. We had
ne human desire that psaes might be maintained, but.
Il GAM and Masyass and Teutons parsts4sd IN killing
sach othas. Il did not sppeaI to be oar AFFAIR. And when
lafs incident In that dtstant corner had proven tho
stasttng Paint Of . M which involved the ere.Aer n.rt
~ 1HropA ~ stu Congratulated ourselves thai opr
EsaSTaphieal posision ana osr Eadit3onary psuey o. non,
lnaaffsfsnes n4aAA ~ i,auauns even from the ,nAuenoes
of f1Ae stsantic str1ss3s. Va know nov how futie suek
sho1ea wsse. Insvtts&ay We were drawn int the m..,..
sstrcras aR4S Ahy Thousand Of our nau gave up thsar Tvs
bsesuss. q spttss - srr best saAaavor. ne ceuh NOT
kesp at sk.tbs ~.
- leMes 81 nusope Involves the fortunes And the
Siifsge rAAsFseA We On n ta1iRsrent to ~ 4iH.r4anee
sthax gses ~ thsss. Andsit would - snsrity for 4. &
8ssfuee Sfe partssipsts q setaassats which az yt4ai x
lns bsenaa Tn sa1et Ne gass1s aad SECURITY 81 our evu
escplssasN wsHa q sf 81 or sstsAhssM
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