New-York tribune., 1919-03-03
Not by a Dream League

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: OF all the fantastic delusions that
have been dangled before the eyes Of de
luded humanity the league Of nations will
occupy not inconspicuous place. Mr.. vii
sons idea-it is Mr.. Wilson's by adoption
only having been worked out by French
man more than two hundred years ago
rests on the assumption thnt moral rcgcn-
Grafton may be achieved by little Utoplan
legerdcmain in form sf political recob-
bling, and this in turn involves the as
sumptior>that something may be made out
of nothing which is as untrue Of moral
force az it is Of matter.
We arc told that the world rests on an
elephant, and the elephant stands on a tor
tose, but when we seek the underpinning
Of the tortoise we get no answer. The sum
total Of those ape and tiger" propensitcs.
so serviceable to our prehistoric ancestors
and troublesome to us, will be precisely
the same inside or outside Of any concciv-
able league. Indeed, Mr.. wilson has incon-
tncnty let the cat out Of the bag by
confessing that the league can only func-
ton by moral force. This ought to indicate
to trained minds the complete futility of
conception that is not inherently mat
ter Of more than "academic interest,"
For others who may desire itemized
proof, material is not lacking The Hague
Convention could not stop the war, it did
not even prevent the use of gas. And the
Belgian treaty proved a mere scrap of
paper when it appeared to be to the advan-
tage of one of those nations to disregard it,
If Mr.. Wilson would only turn from
dreams he might perhaps recall the dctum
of master mind that wars are incident to
independence. Our own country is visible
proof Of the conclusion. 1t is not that we
better than our friends on the other
side. but only the environment OF our fed
Grafton, that prevents our thinking in terms
of war. | take it there is nothing in the
proposed league Of nations for a federation
such as might prove efficient 1t is true
that Mr.. Wilson hints at q slight surrender
of sovereignty, but this will hardly answer.
On the other hand, the European solution
of the problem is at least a workable theory.
because it takes humanity as it is and does
not look for moral miracles For those who
again require proof it may, | submit. be
safely assumed that if England had made
an open alliance with France and Russia the
present war would have been postponed and
might never have taken place. Germany had
prepared for many things, but not for Eng
lands entrance into the fight. And the way
the German leaders went uD in the air ap-
pears to be a convincing indication that
correct Interpretation of English sentiment
would have resulted in their leaving the
sword undrawn. Meanwhile we are con-
1ronted with this singular situat;on On
one hand there are idealistc minds playing
with elusive will o. the wisps; on the other
Russia in full conhagration, and the Central
Empires, according to statements Of com
petent observers, visiby nearing the brink
OF the chasm. If they should go over, dreams
and dreamers will disappear in chaos, to-
gether with much that is of infinitely great
er value. Yet the country, with its own un-
solved and neglected work of reconstruct
tion, remains quiescent
HOWARD COGHILI.
Morristown N. j., Feb. 27 1919.