The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-04-26

BY THE HON. ARTHUR CAPPER,
Republican v. S. Senator from the
State Of Kansas, and Publisher Of
the Topeka Capital.
l believe Kansas is overwhelmingly
for a league of nations. | am EN-
phatically for it, because | believe II
to be great step toward an enduring
peace which IS the hope of the world
and which the world must and Will
have. ,
The people are now demanding that
for which they gave freely all that hui
manity has to give, and for which our
boys died in France. 1t is unthlnkable
they will be content with less.
The principle and the idea are right.
Our isolation is no longer possible.
Real progress in the movement to pre-
vent war and to stop military rivalry,
is Americas demand.
nave no sympathy with the con
tention that league agreement VIII
tend to involve us in war instead or
keeping us out OF war | believe the
War-Weary people OF both continents
will support military and economic
boycott against the first nation which
attempts TO destroy another or t"
again ruthlessly plunge the world into
war. This means there must be an IN
ternational organization and agree
ment,
LEAGUE A NECESSITY
TO PREVENT ANARCHY.
1t Is for us to advance in every pos
sible way such an agreement among
the nations as will lessen the chonces
OF another war ! believe league or
nations an absolute necessity If we
are to save the world from anarchy.
but it is natural there should be great
differences OF view among leaders OF
opinion concerning such league, or
any form it might take. ....s.-..
It seems that war is constitutional,
and q compulsory peace isn't-no mat
ter how badly the world needs it. A
league to keep the peace OF the world
Is as new and untried as was once the
republican form Of government. Cir
cumstances compelled that expert
ment, and think we shall find way
: to profit by this one.
. I-have, faith the league Of nations
covenant can he 50 strengthened and
Improved that, as finally shaped, it
viii have the confidence of the great
majority Of the American people.
But there must be- full and frank
discussion Of the question il the pro
posed peace compact is to become a
compact in fact.
The country should be fully informed
J; and should be encourages TO- express
its opinion, and il IL not vital that the
leapue covenant be formed before the
peace treaty is presented to the sen
ats: ...5.
The suggestions of Senator Lodge
and Senator Knox have been con
structive and in good faith. In the
main, approve the amendments pro
posed by them as we'll as by ex-Presi
dent Taft ard Dr. Lowell.
. There can be no league by ultima
tum Of the president, however much
we may respect and approve his self
confidence and trust his ZEAL There
is too much at stake.
COVENANTS FAULTS
SHOULD BE WIPED OUT.
It is generally conceded that the
covenant as proposed by President
Wilson is fundamentally faulty, as
might be expected of first draft Of
so tremendous and epochal docu
ment 1t is ambiguous in its terms
incomplete in it's machinery for peace
ably settling differences between ma
lions, and this lack OF definite state
,nent shows its need of revision.
| think we should insist upon. spe
ciic phraseology Which shall leave
this nation with its Monroe Doctrine
intact, with exclusive command of it!
own policy OF war and peace. and will
the right TO withdraw from the league