Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-13
More About a League Of Nations

~ INC EutoT OF INC EOening Pubhc Ledger:
Sir-Europc is now In such a state OF
fux that we need not expect any immediate
or early solidificaton Of the political elements
OF which she Is composed The mission OF
the President is TO help Europe to get rid
OF the old balance of power system and suu-
stitute league Of nations, which shall ever
more enforce peace upon the earth.
As we were disappointed that the war was
so long-drawn-out, so we should be prepared
for an extended wait for the full accomplish
ment Of the Presidents high purpose. 1t has
taken our Congress the biggest part of a
year to pass the revenue bill now on the
stocks. when the Peace Congress assem-
bles and gets to work 1t is likely to make a
slow and interrupted progress. Would IL be
a wrong guess that league of nations will
not be formed at the first session of the con.
ference, but a temporary concert of the lead
ing powers will be entered into, and the
business carried over for a "econd and maybe
n third session?
For one thing. 1t will take a fun year for
the people of Europe to be fed up. and until
they have got enough to eat they will not be
in temper to be easily satisfied with any
arrangement made for their welfare.
1t will take two years. and may take
longer. for Bolshevsm to run its course
The President in Italy said. that the world
will hereafter be made up. not of great
nations, but small ones; it may be so, but
will the world be gamer thereby? A writer
in the Atlantic Monthly AYERS that Europe
will be fortunate If 1t escapes long series
of petty wars rising out Of the conflicting
historical. photographic. economic, religious
and political claims of these new nationali-
ties" OF course, the President would not
have Uncle Sans domains cut up into small
nations; oh, no.
As TO the colored races of Asia and Africa,
what will be done about them to settle their
aspirations for self-determination of their fu-
ture destinies? While settling the affairs of
Europe and securing for the people a future
of liberty, justice and peace the dark and
yellow skinned people of other continents
must not be left out of the reckoning.
And what of the negro in this country L:
Is he TO enjoy the same liberty that the white
man enjoys or is he to be left to the dis
comforts and humiliation of the Jim Crow
car, to the mercy of lynching mobs of the
South, to the exclusion from trades and public
houses of the North?
Some time ago. before the armstice was
entered into. | gave to your paper my views
of the kind of settlement that appeared to
me to be proper. Nearly everything | rec
commended proved to be in accord with what
was decided upon afterward by Foch and
his advisers but few things. however,
were overlooked First. the sinking of the
U-boats. which l recommended; second, the
destruction of the Krupp cannon factory
| third, the march Of army into Berlin.
| There seems to be no immediate disposition
to do any of these things, although il does
| look now as if the armies of the Allies will
| have to police Berlin and settle the troubles
| there and hold the hungry Russian hordes
from trampling over everything in their
| march for full stomachs.
The Peace Conference will not fulfu its
| true mission until the hulls of the undersea
outlaws find their proper place at the bottom
of the ocean. The future peace of the world
will not be secure unless those pirates ar,
ruled out by a league of nations and the
| bombing OF cities prohibited from airplancs
Any naton committing such Internal out
RACES should be declared outcast from the
| community Of civilized peoples. Nor should
| the use of poisonous gas in ever be per.
| mitted again.
| OF the vassals of Prussia, those in the
| north stolen from Denmark and I'm the
! east, of what was once Austria Hungary
| should be liberated. Germany, whether sn,
| ends up monarchy or becomes n republic
| should never be admitted to the League OF
| Nations until Wurtemberg. Baden and SaN.
| ony are set free from the bondage of the
| Prussian barbarans.
such times Such times - says l.. S. NJ
| in Life. "Bewilderirg to the anxious fun ol
| menace to the timid, but freighted with splen.
| did promise to the eye of faith -
| WILMER ATKINSON.
| Washington SqVare. January 13.