The Cordova daily times., 1919-04-19
WHAT is AMERICAS DUTY?

ried away in Hungary and the flood
overran the country like the tidal
waves of barbarism which swept out
of Asia in the early Christian ages
and submerged the civilizations of
Greece and of Rome.
In such crisis what Is the duty OF
Europe of America? Let US say that
it is the duty of Europe to erect new
barriers and to repair those which
have been swept away. Let us say
that it is the duty of Europe to carry
on ceaseless warfare against the Boil
sheviki. What, then, is our duty? Are
we required to remain in Europe till
the last Bolshevik is dead?
No sooner has the covenant of a
league of nations been promulgated
than nations which were to become
members of the league are threat
ened with extinction before their
boundaries have even been agreed
upon. AS a member of the league,
under the present covenant, we would
be required to maintain their terri
torial integrity and existing political
independence. But what if they capt.
tulate to Bolshevism? What if Poland,
Rumania, Czecho-Slovakia, Jugo-
Slavia and Serbia adopt the soviet
form of government and commit
themselves to Russian anarchy and
the social system of free love? Shall
we recognize them and admit them to
the league of nations and shall we
fight for them and their institutions?
In the present turbulent state Of
Europe would it not be better to wait
until European nations have establish
ed enduring governments? We must
ask ourselves this question in all
seriousness because we must know
who are to be our associates in the
league. Democracy cannot consort
with anarchy; Christian civilization
cannot be at peace with those who
scott at all religion and morality.
q. If Europe promptly vanquishes Boil
shevism or even compromises with 1t
the chance of establishing the league
will be brighter, but the present indi-
cations are that revolution will not
run it's course in few months, nor,
in fact, in few years.
America can still serve humanity,
as of old, by it's example. The statue
Of Liberty will stand in New York
harbor and shed ever Frightening
rays across the world. 1t has been by
example that we have served the
world best. 1t is not merely of recent
years that we have preached liberty,
justice and democracy. From the day
that Paul Revere rode through every
Middelsex village and farm and told
the waiting colonials that Governor
Gates had at last determined to crush
liberty by force Americans have held
before the world the ideals of freedom
and justice. In 1872 to 1914 we vim
Dictated our right to sail ships freely
upon the seas without asking permits
sion of any nation. In the days of the
Civil war we purged our body polite
of the poison of slavery We raised
stricken and shackled Cuba from the
blood weller of an ancient despotism
and babe her gaze with unflinching
eyes upon the torch of ligherty en-
tightening the world
Once more the clouds of barbarism
are sweeping, as in the older days,
from the borders of Asia into Europe.
Let us keep that torch aloft SO that
it's shafts may pierce those clouds and
transfx the zealots of anarchy and
brutality with terror. And when Eur
ope shall have set her house in order,
shall have made herself fit for true
liberty and justice, then we can Join
with her in some league Of nations
that will guarantee peace and pave
the way for international justice
It is our hope that we may be per-
lllILcu W LII III IAoI AOo6uO SWIM OOS
can we afford to form it amid the
wreck of nations? You may hear 1t
said that if it is not formed now 1t
never will be HORNED, but 1t Is not
true rather that If it is formed now it
will not endure?
, At all events let America be true to
itself, true to its old ideals, ready to
help where help 1t may, but let 1t
avoid entangling alliances that will
neither help itself nor others.
Today we have league Of nations,
! but 1t is league for war It will be
J called upon to enforce the terms OF
!. peace and no doubt we shall be asked
to do our part. It is the plan to incor-
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