Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-01-12

In yesterdays paper it was pointed
out that people everywhere had re-
sponded to the lofty appeal of Presi-
dent Wilson that justice should be the
basis of the new world order. Or per-
haps it is better to say that Wilson
above all statesmen understood the
under-current of feeling among all the
peoples and brought it to the surface.
They saw at once that his hopes and
aspirations were their own.
Now that statesmen of the allies in
the early course of the war had no
such ideaIism. The secret treaties
which were made at that time, by
which the allies were to profit from
the war at the expense of others, show
clearly enough that they still believed
in the old system Of power politics.
But as time went on the people devel-
oped a new spirit. And when Wilson
ANNOUNCED that we were entering the
war without selfish motives and would
ask for ourselves nothing except what
share, they hailed him as spokesman
not only for his own country but for
the world. And they saw in the plan
for a league Of nations the hope for
permanent peace.
Societies and organizations every
where leaped to his support. The
democratic forces of this country and
Of Europe and of far away Japan an
nounced their adherence to the, league
idea. Even in America where the war
strain was less severe and enthusiasm
In it's favor. A whole column could
be filled just with the names of these
organizations. From the Elks of Con-
necticut to the Alabama state bar as
sociation. from the Grand Aeric Cra-
ternal Order of Eagles to the KEN
lucky Pure-Bred livestock assoca-
ton; from the. New. York State Fed
Grafton of Women's ciabs to the North
Carolina Farmers State convention
all wen, on record as favoring the
league, The Grand Army of the Re-
public lined up side ty side with the
United Confederate Veterans; business
mems organizations side by side with
labor unions Such varying interests
as the chamber of commerce of the
United States, the National Economic
league, the women's committee of the
council of national defense, the asso-
ciated advertising clubs of the world,
the American Manufacturers Export
association, the National Association
of Post Office Laborers, and the Pan
American Labor union, all alike favor
a league of nations. A touch of humor
Is added by the enthusiastic support
Of the American Insurance union.
surely If anybody wants peace the in
STRANGE men do, and they are wise in
their generation. No partial alliance
league of nations
But of all the forces that are work
ing for the league of nations there ars
none that 50 well deserve especial
comment as the forces of union Ia
Dor and the forces of the Christian
church. In q futur article / hope to
show what interest organized labor has
all over the world in the league of ma
tions. Today i wish 10 touch briefly
ON the attitude of the church.
In the first place the pope is an ar
dent supporter of the league. Tho Ko-
man Catholic clergy in this country
are almost unit In Advocating It.
There is an excellent article about
the league in the Catholic Weekly
America, for December 7th written
by FIR. John A. Ryan, one of the lead
ers of Catholic thought in this eoun-
try. In summarizing his article, Faith
er Ryan says: 1.-THE case for & league
of nations is simply this: America and
the other great nations must either
establish it, or continue the policy of
great national ornaments. Experience
warns us that the latter course In
wolves intolerable burdens and leads
with moral certainty to war. while the
present attitude of the world assures
us that the outlook for a league of ma
tons is sufficiently promising to make
the project worthy Of an earnest trial.
Catholics are called upon to show an
especial active sympathy and eo-np-
GRAFTON with the scheme. !. Pope Bene.