South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-15
Other Editors Than Ours
THE PRICE OF PEACE.
louisville COurier-JOurnal.)

Opposition a league of nations. when it is not
generated by pure and unadulterated malevoence
toward Pres't Wilson, amounts simply to this
the unbeever claims for the United States the right
do any time what Germany did in 1914 and
initiate conduct and finish a without the aid
or consent of any other people on earth. He de-
nounces Germany crime, champions
the right for the United States to do the same thing.
This is harsh in sound. but accurate in statement.
The opposition 10 league cannot be analysed to
contrary conclusion.
The sincere opponent means we'll but jingoistic
emotionalism has the better of him. He is infected
with a nationalistic ego which is the sort Of
ailment-though perhaps, less virulent because less
vocal-that launched the Germans upon their i'm
perialstic Dood-orges. For the aim of the principle
OF a league is limit nations power to declare
That is the head and front of its intention To
combat that ambition and to that the United
States will not play i'm the league playground if
il be required surrender jot Of its military
license is to contend for the esta bstment here of
Prussian doctrine If Germany had only abated
few ots of its war-making privileges!-but that is
another story.
These contrary gentlemen would so like to see
abolished. They will tell anybody that. But they
do not believe he eXtirpated; therefore why
try it2 Anyhow, they would like il to about
through all other nations turning their well-known
into well-knOwn plow-shares and pursuing the
gentle with the United States left alone
start any blooming it cares 10 start and with
"a chip Uncle Sans shoulder for any conner to
knock off. if dare. Jngoism-swash buckling.
eage-screaming jingoism of the oldfashioned stump
oratory brand
But aren't a leagues opponents asking just a
little too much when they are willing to give so
little?
The living generations are accustomed TO sweep
ing changes. That which impossible yesterday
actually today The people were Jared cen
fury since by political and mechanical innovations
which would not cause the bat Of eye.
Changes not to be embraced merely for that but
progressive minds not fearful of changes when
virtue is but a part Of their reward. Had not the
question survived in its archaic state. relic
of medieval days. there might not have been this
latest deluge of blood and tragedy. Must say.
because wars have been they must always be? Must
snap fingers at effort 10 substitute a new
system which at least allay the tendencies 10
warfare for age-Old system whose numerous
conflicts eliminated in the Just ended? We
know the futility Of the past methods. There is
promise in the proposed principle. II would be
crime against mankind spurn that which least
is meritorious promise only 10 relapse into sys-
tenn whose evils demonstrated Wha, Is worth
having is worth effort TO have it.
To adopt league idea is not 10 relinquish SOW
ereignty. I is forego merely the ominous and
sardonic luxury of military precipitancy For the
sake of rendering the world in general safer from
destructive willing 20 do our part with
the That is the summary of the thing. The
the fortunes Of the four should
be a genuine effort in behalf Of the future. This IS
the vision Of the day. II is the hope of modern
civilization.
Nor is the league idea one of national emascula-
tion. unless be granted that Germany's imperial
ism was a virile ideal 10 be emulated and admired.
If the right TO fight is an ideal. Germany was
superb exponent of a praseworthy policy. And Yet
some who oppose the league principle Ger
manys militarism.
Without the league the period OF competitive arm
Will be reborn. Territorial aggression will be
fashionable Tax burdens for the support of stand
ing armies and great naves viii crush the people.
And there nations which will use their great
armies and naves, as Germany did. There viii be
the inevitable sequel in prodigious that
LudendOrn and Won Hindenburg Haig and Foch.
Pershing and Diaz will appear tin soldiers in