The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-04
Success of League of Nations
Depends on This Country.
So Says General Maurice, the
English Military Expert.
U. S. MUST TAKE THE LEAD
Must Furnish the Finances and
the Moral Support.
The Army and Navy of Z. s..
Will Be Big Factor.

Copyright, 1919, by the United Press)
Paris, Feb, 4.-Success or failure of
the league of nations depends almost
wholly upon the United States. While
America, from a purely practical
standpoint, has more to lose than gain
thru the league, it's duty to the peo-
pies of the world compels its leader
ship in this international fellowship of
nations.
This frank statement was made to
the United Press today by Maj. Gen.
Frederick Maurice, British expert on
military and International affairs. He
was director of military operations for
the British general staff until, when
the British were opposing the German
drive practically unaided, he made
his famous Where is Bleucher?"
statement.
Must Furnish Finances.
Maurice declared that not only must
the United States furnish the financial
support for reconstruction of the war
stricken countries-without which as
sistance the league would be still
born-but that a great American navy
is essential to maintenance of the
leagues chief administrative weapon.
economic pressure.
Il am absolutely certain that a real
league of nations is going thru" said
Maurice.
Every day it is more fully realized
that the league is not an ideal, but
working proposition. When the ques-
ton of its exact form is brought up,
there will come the realization that its
real efficiency depends upon the
United States. This does not mean it
will be necessary for the United States
to undertake territorial commitments
outside her own continent.
Will Not Gain Much.
practical difficulties from the
standpoint of the United States prob
ably will override the advantages she
may obtain from the league. But it
is absolutely vital that America shall
assume a moral leadership in the
leagues affairs
America's s most important contri-
buttons to the league come under two
hea ds-finaneial and military.
- THE necessity for an agreement by
the United States to support the league
of nations financially becomes clearer
the more closely the matter of restitu-
ton and restoration is gone into. The
more actual information is obtained,
the more certain it is that. we will not
get enough out of the central powers,
either of money or material, to set
the old world on its legs again. 1t is
obvious that, at the very best, our re-
pair bills will be only partially met.
There won't be any indemnities
finance the development of the Ger
man colonies, Turkish territories or
the new republics which are strug-
Cling upward in eastern and southeast
ern Europe. The only hope for the
worlds future is for America to step
into world politics and give the league
the necessary financial backing to put
its program on sound basis.
Hesitation TO Send Troops.
we recognize that one of the chief
difficulties in maintenance Of the
league is that democratic states are
loathe to commit themselves indef-
il itely to supplying troops to fight in
any part of the world to uphold the
| leagues authority That difficulty
need not arise. Great Britain and the
United States are recognized as hold
ing the chief wea pom of the league,
exercising which is naval force. If
the United States and Great Britain
agree to place their naval power at the
disposal of the league I don't see how
any nation will ever again dare to even
think of war.
IF the United States and Great
Britain had been able in 1914 to ap-
ply to Germany blockade such as
they applied early in 1918, it is doubt
full if Germany would ever have start
ed the war. Certainly she could not
have continued it very long. Germany
has learned the effectiveness of the
blockade as a weapon and it is most
unlikely she can ever build a fleet
capable of competing with US for some
generations. Therefore, one of the
beginnings of the security of the world
the aim and object of the league
will be naval cooperation by Great
Britain and America in behalf of the
| league. Americas share of this weap-
on must correspond to her wealth and
Importance.
Seas Free in Peacc
! 'In peace time, the seas are natur-
ally free. The conferees are now TAX
ing up the question of waterways and
ports, whereby they will be made even
more free. If war threatens the
! league, there is no saying how far this
freedom will be limited thru blockade
! or other means.
with the American and British
| fleets as the naval police of the league
the chief means of enforcing it's au-
| thority and decisions would rest with
| the two nations which are perhaps the
best fitted, politically and tempera-
mentally, to bear such a responsible
| ity.''