The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-04-24

Before turning the smaller nations loose to function for
themselves the question Of manufactures or guardians for them
must be settled. II will not do 10 cast them adrht to
shift for themselves, They would become the immediate prey of
land-grabbing nations, that would exploit them; or worse,
maybe they would be disrupted and torn asunder by Bolshevik,
who would find in these plastic populations congenial material
to work in. There are several Of these small nations, and some
Of these are looking to the United States for guidance. Armenia
in particular is insistent on having US take charge Of that coun-
try. 1t is no small task to take charge Of the 100000 people
Of that ancient nation. The Turks and Kurds have massacred
10000 Of them III an effort to exterminate them, Besides this
10000 have been driven out and made to hide in other coun-
tries. These people are industrious, intelligent, brave and thrifty
and will soon be able to take care OF themselves, 1t once put on
their feet, They have suffered much, and through IT all nave ave
been loyal to Europe and western civilization, and deserve well
at the hands Of the allies. They want national autonomy ana
protection until they find themselves, They will pay back
everything by protecting Europe against MosIem paroaf'y Vi
Bolshevism.
The Philippines are ripe for home rule, and while they are
asking no mandatory. they will need It, because we must protect
these islands as an outpost to guard our trade in the Far East.
Tueo-Slavia has already been recognized, and will go Tor
ward L given protection and time to build UP its nationality,
and Poland must be looked after unless some modern lhohaS
Campbell is given opportunity to write, Freedom shrieked wheh
Paderewski fell" The civilized world has gone so tar with
Poland and made these people so many promises that there Is
no honorable way of turning back or abandoning u'em 10 "e'
fate. ur
We have made such a fine record in Cuba and the Philip,
pines that the small nations look to us for protection and
encouragement.
Hawaii has said nothing so far, but we need not be sur
prised il she soon begins to talk home rule and setdetcrmina-
ton, which are looked on as American policies.
The countries of South Africa are already becoming restless
and are anxious to get away from British and French rule, and
to keep away from German rule. The geographical situation OF
these countries is such that II will be difficult to find manda
tories for them, They may be given the moral support OF the
allies, and told 10 60 along and work out their own salvation.
The Republic Of South Africa, made heroic by the Beers, must
bide its time and move along as 1t is doing. The country is
prosperous and progressive, and the people are more contented
than they formerly have been. There are so many other eoun-
tries that need attention worse than they do that they may
have to wait. A world that is safe for democracy does not
mean that all countries that are camoring for 1t are ready for
democracy and self-government, When all Is said it must be
referred back to the people themselves, and unless they have the
--..A. IT, nf NaVnonAnt IL uyerN n NVaGte az time ia eNOefl-
ment with them. The allies cannot police every little country
and group Of islands in the seven seas. People must do tor
themselves, and il they fail it Is their own misfortune,
In this country we have an abundance OF men fitted for
governing. We sent three or four to the Philippines, and with
out exception all did we'll. We have others ready to serve those
who cannot or will not govern themselves.