Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1919-07-31
TRIUMPH FOR
AMERICAN IDEALS
Peace Treaty the Most Momentous
Document Ever Prepared by
the Hand Of Man

single treaty ever signed. 1t is six
times as long as the treaties Of the
peace Of Westphalia (164S) and ten
times as long as the treaty Of Vienna
(1816); it is as long al the latter and
all the subsidiary treaties resulting
from 1t. Though it covers more
ground than any other treaty made,
It vas prepared in half the time re-
quired for the peace Of Vienna, and In
less than one-tenth, of the time re-,
quited for the treaty of Westphalia,
This phenomenal result is attributed
by European statesmen to the initial
adoption of the Covenant Of the
League Of Nations, which provides for
the future settlement Of a large num-
Der Of, perplexing problems. Despite
opinions to the contrary, the verdict
Of history will un~questionably be that
| the Peace of Paris carries into effect
to q remarkable degree the program
accepted in advance by the peoples
Of the world, and embodied in the
Fourteen, Points put forth by the
American government on January 8,
1918. ten months before the actual
signing of the armistice.
|. OF the Fourteen Points thus &C.
cepted by a world in arms, serious
objection has been raised to only one
the 14th. That objection has come
from a faction in the United States
Senate. This 18th Point, as embodied
in the treaty is Article x, of the
Covenant Of the League of Nations.
Germany herself has insisted upon it
as an essential part of the peace.
The treaty as signed makes a new
world, politically, physically, morally
and spiritually. The mandatory sys-
tenn ends the old regime of exploita-
ton, and makes wards of the whole
world in Asia, Africa and the isles of
the sea. The Treaty has established
in the place of artificial states natural
political and national units. 1t has
removed from the map numerous his
toric wrongs which have long served
to embitter the international rela-
lions. 1t has set the world upon a
new path of progress marked by the
following guide posts:
1. International cooperation, in
ing international administrative &C
tivities.
2. Extensive machinery for CO.
operation in a League of Nations open
to all that prove worthy of member
ship.
8. The creation of a labor con.
ference and labor bureau to solve the
problems Of an industrial civilization
4. A pledge to reduce ornaments
and as a first step toward it the dis.
arming of the one nation whose geo
graphical situation has made it {
menace to the world.
5. The abolition of conquest b,
Article x, without interfering will
ment.
6. The declaration that any war i.
a matter of concern to all, and tn,
erection of machinery for dealing will
conditions which endanger the peac,
of the world.
Z. An agreement not to go to wa:
before peaceful settlement of dispute
has been tried.
8. Automatic provision sanction,
for the punishment of the breach O
agreements voluntarily taken.
8. A representative Assembl,
meeting regularly and, among othe
things, carrying on the work Of codi
flying and revising international Law
begun by the Hague Conference.
The treaty is the most momentum.
document ever prepared by the hant
of man. 1t sets the world right abou
face. 1t marks the triumph of Amer
lean ideas, policies and institutions
by extending to a league of sovereign
nations the democratic principles frs
embodied in our league of sovereign
states.
EDWARD CUMMINGS,
General Secretary,
World Peace Foundation