Omaha daily bee., 1919-09-28
Contents Of the
Covenant

York, Neb.. Sept. 25.-To the
Editor of The Bee: I did not ex-
pect to be back so soon, yet here we
are with another kick, not a knock.
Do you see the difference? Well,
there Is q difference between some
kicks and knock. The kick that
kicks the ball toward the goal is
not q knock. Such were the kicks
on the do-nothingism In the ship
building, gun-making and some
not been for those kickers we would
record.
Now there is some more kicking
needed IL we are to fill our place in
making the world safe for democ-
racy" instead Of democracy.
Now let us admit that 1t is the
easiest thing In the world to find
fault, and just as hard to improve
as it is easy to harm. Not all the
harm done in the world Is done by
design. but fully as much is done
with good intent but lack of knowl-
edge. (See Pages 7S-4 Of the New
Freedom.")
Now, / know just about what the
wise ones will say when a common
layman says anything on these
great questions Of statecraft. Yet
when they weave and wobble, and
sidestep, and talk in vague terms
and cross purposes, we sure have a
right to ask such questions, that if
answered in. q plain. frank way
would give US the light we need in
order that we do our part in an in
telligent. helpful way. Seeing the
president has carried his fight "di-
rect to the people, whom he knows
will have no say in the matter, why
does he not stay with those that
are supposed to have equal say with
him in his fight and do little
team work." Of which we heard so
much a couple Of years ago? But
he is not much at team work ex-
cept to drive the team. A teamster,
not team worker.
Once he said we were too proud
to fight, and in three days he chang
ed front. Then I'VE were to re-
ceive great good from the war" but
when some one said that did not
sound like we were just working
for the good of humanity. Then in
eight days we got the reverse on
that. And after several such cases
were pointed out, Mr.. Lansing comes
to our relief with the apology that
Mr.. Wilson is a little unfortunate
when he undertakes to speak with
out notes. Well, we sure think he
must be taking 1t off-hand now.
When he tells US that the League
OF Nations would prevent war, but
when he is asked about the council,
saying when and where we would
have to go to help fight, then he
says that we could do as we pleased,
as the language was not binding as
a legal contract, but just a moral
obligation. The English and
French statesmen say it is a legal
contract and binding. II not, it is
no good, and If binding, be very
careful what you sign.
When he says Japan will return
Shantung because "he expects them
to do 1t" he is sure the limit. Any
thing thinner than that is invisible.
Not a lawyer but knows, and but
few others but know that no verbal
agreements counts where there is
written contract SO what is in is
in, the rest is out.
Now a few question: Why does
England get six votes and the
United States one? Saying that
NoSc ioS StNC cat dHY dQ-
vantage does not answer the uues-
ton. If the league will end war
why so much army and navy? Why
are we yet in Siberia at war with
Russia when congress had not de-
clared war on Russia? Why were
we just ready to send $4,000 boys
to do police duty in Silesia without
an order from congress? "Ah, my
friends" that is just one line of the
index to what the league contains
for us. What a fine catspaw we
would make for Europe to pull the
chestnuts out Of the fire for itself.
l surmise when we went over
there with the statement that moth
ing did us SO much good as an op-
portunity Of coming over here to
match our minds with the states
men Of Europe" that they smiled
broadly, hut when we came away
think heard them roar. This is why,
Mr.. Wilson says, the league gives
to all peoples, large and small, the
right to say for themselves who
shall govern them. Then that same
fine interesting contract says that
all territorial lines shall remain for
ever as now drawn. Regardless of
how harsh or unjust nation may
uio q Coiouy lHSy cannot cut loose
like we did and become free ma
ton. They must remain property
and members of the League of Ma
tons, are bound by their contract to-
defend that sort of thing. How do
you like that? And then, in view
of the worldwide unrest, coupled
with the fact that England has peo-
Piles betting the earth until they
boast that the sun never sets for
England, and we have agreed to
help it keep it that way for all time.
That is part Of us have. Are the
rest Of us going to do the same?
God forbid it!
Now, to be safe and sane, let us
make some changes in that con-
tract or else send it back mot
called for" And start over again
on road leading to somewhere
Now they are charging that those
opposed to the swallow-whole idea
are trying to defeat peace. Moth
ing could be further from the facts;
and the clamor for the league is be-
cause people are for peace and, be-
lieving the league will bring 1t, they