Deming graphic., 1919-12-23
ANOTHER HAGUE CONFERENCE

II seems doubtful IL a treaty Of peace
with its provisions for league of ma
tions will ever he ratified by the Unit
ed States Senate. Submitted by itself
the league covenant would hardly be
considered In its present form and the
majority Of senators and Of the people
al large are not Interested in II to the
extent OF creating definite mandate
that such an arrangement he entered
into. However, the people want peace
with Germany for many reasons and
they would he willing to swallow the
dose which the president had prepared
and mixed with the treaty OF peace,
IL reasonable reservations protecting
the sovereignty Of the United States
could be adopted President Wilson
seems to be absolutely against any kind
of compromise, though his ardent
supporters In the senate talk compro-
mise. IL Is well known fact, how
ever. that their votes are not their
own and when he cracks the whip they
take the barrier.
Just now the president and his op-
Tonents are busy trying TO cast the
blame for killing or delaying the treaty
of peace on each other In the hope OF
some political advantage. No doubt
both are TO blame TO a great extent.
hut, AT least the republicans are open
for compromise while the president is
not. When president says the United
States Senate shall do a thing In just
a certain way he is courting prompt
rebuff. II Is not safe attitude 10 as
sumo toward the representatives of the
people and the voters are very apt 10
sustain them on that ground alone
without going into the merits OF the
treaty itself.
As the Graphic has before pointed
out the league OF nations introduces an
entirely new relation in international
affairs. II Is an attempt TO organize
a political union between the great
powers. This idea of super-govern-
ment does not agree with accepted
American political ideals. No objec-
tion would have been made to a closer
economic relation, which is really the
thing that Is needed and needed badly.
ns can he easily read in the history
Of the growth of the great nations OF
western Europe IL was the wiping out
Of customs lines that united their scat
tered parts more than solemn agree
ments to keep peace. SO long as our
nffiliation with our allies rests only ON
the grounds OF common defense In an
emergency, Il cannot outlast the emer-
lency. The wolves will eat the bravest
II the pack when he goes down and
he friends of today are the enemies
~ tomorrow. BY linking up the pock-
rtbooks Of Europe and America. the
hearts of the noblest would be with the
common treasure. This is not "A cyni-
al or sordid viewpoint because,
whether or not we like TO believe II,
every social problem is economic In
Is beginning" Think over the troubled
geological conditions today and see II
that statement does not hold good.
In what way does the proposed league
,f nations differ from the old Hague
convention which was tOuted as fur
lshlng the long desired way out OF
war and which failed so signally To
melton in a crisisY Loosely that, the
first calls for dual allegiance and the
, st makes no such demand. Sponsors
iven ND hopes OF reviving II through
another conference. II Is a peculiar
D manifestation that these ardent pio-
leers i'm the work for world peace
earthly disapprove Of the league OF
nations. They believe that a third
q Inference should now he called and n
voluntary covenant entered into which
involves no taint Of coercion and leaves
every participant with full sovereignty
and liberty of action. They assert that
the accumulated wisdom CLEANED from
the yCirs Of strife on the battlefields
and which Is being continued In quite
as deadly earnest in the diplomatic
field would bring n more lasting peace
10 the world. II might offer way
out. At least league Of nations with
power 10 enforce its mandates Is a
dream OF happier future.