Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-10-18
LANSING PLEADS
FOR ADOPTION Of
NATIONS LEAGUE
Secretary of State Says We
Should Give Plan a Trial,
But Hasn't Unbounded Faith
In Its Effectiveness,

Albany y. Y. Oct, 17.-Secretary of
State Lansing pleaded for the adop-
tion of the league of nations in its
present form IF for no other reason
than that to reject it would be TO dis
courage future attempts to obtain
unity of action among the nations in
an effort to avoid international con-
fIicts," in an address on The Power
of Democracy" before the New York
University regents tonight. Secretary
Lansing expressed the belief that, IF
every nation was a democracy in real
ity. as is this republic. universal peace
would be an accomplished fact and
not a goal toward which the world
looks with longing eyes striving to
devise methods by which 1t may he
attained
Until democracy becomes the
standing policy of civilization, other
means to insure to the world con-
tinuing state of international peace
must be found" the secretary said,
in recommending that the league OF
nations be given a trial in its pres
ent form.
Admitting for the sake of argu-
ment." he asserted, "all the faults and
undesirable features which its Bit
terest opponents have raised against
the covenant, l am prepared to say
that it ought to be adopted and tried,
for it represents today an internation-
al concert devoted to peace
The United States. / am con-
vinced," he continued, will not be the
nation to check this movement or TO
discourage the civilized states of the
earth from seeking by united purpose
and counsel to restrain the use OF
force in the settlement of disputes.
If, after fair trial, the league rams
to accomplish its objects, then is the
time by amendment to make the cove
nant more efficient. Such action as
that which was taken by the confer
ence in Paris when it adopted the
covenant makes for peace put uoes
not insure its permanency. IL is d
powerful one. The only certainty OF
unbroken peace in this world, | be.
lieve, lies in the general adoption qi
democracy as the supreme political
principle of all nations.
Calling attention to the new prop
lens which confront the country the
secretary issued a warning against the
doctrines Of class Imperialism"
To-day he said. the rights OF
particular classes over other classes oil
the population are being preached in
our streets, and appeals to selfishness
and envy, and 10 ignorance, under
the guise of justice, are being sent
broadcast throughout the land. Apos-
ties of unrest and even of revolution,
as well as others less radical and more
sincere, taking advantage of the IN
dustriaI and commercial confusion re-
sulting from the war. are seeking con-
verts to doctrines which aim to grant
special privileges to certain groups OF
citizens and TO deprive others of those
private rights which are inseparable
from the American conception OF IN
dividual liberty.
Democracy is in danger, from
within rather than from without the
body polite" he declared. Again
we Americans are called to the de-
fense of an American principle when
is being attacked not only by lnsldl-
Gus foes, but by friends who fail TO
see the wrong which they are doing
We must meet this new attack with
the same unyielding and COURAGEOUS
spirit as that with which our soldiers
met with the Germans on the SOIL ol
France"