The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-03
IS
CECIL'SPLEA TO US.
British Commissioner Says 1t
Would Be Deplorable If
Fine Record Is Spoiled.
PART IN WAR Is PRAISED
America Sets a World Prece-
dent in Asking No National
Reward.
BY the Associated Press.

PARIS, June 2.-Referring to opposi.
ton in the United States to the League
Of Nations, Lord Robert Cecil of the
British Peace Commission said to-day It
would be deplorable II at the end of the
Peace Conference something should hap
pen to mar the glorious record OF Amer
lea in the war.
II see II suggested In some places. /"
said Lord Robert, that the United
States should not accept membership in
tho League OF Nations because II might
involve some sacrifice Of national sover-
eighty. II would be foolish to deny that
II nations are 10 make any organization
for peace each OF them must be content
to modify in some degree, however
slight. Its liberty Of action. That is the
inevitable result. of cooperation, and I
do not wish to underrate the sacrifice in
volved.
But after all nothing that is worth
doing In this world can be done without
| Sc crifice. and II any real change in the
present International anarchy Is TO take
place II can only be because the nations
| OF The world are so convinced of the hor-
| rible evils OF war that they are ready 10
| risk something to prevent It's occurrences
| in the future.
Those who have seen the devastated
districts of France and Belgium or have
read of the wholesale massacres in every
part OF Europe and Asia and the fam
ines which threaten the health and lives
of millions of those who are least re-
epons!ble for the war will not doubt that
some drastic change in international re-
lat'ons Is essential to humanity and CIV
| ilization.
Il have been concerned. as you know
solely with the League OF Nations section
Of the Peace Conference. and It is a mat
ter of great satisfaction to me to know
that throughout the whole OF that task
the British and American delegates have
worked In the closest sympathy and CO.
operation.
The same In true of the Supreme
Economic Council, which, strictly speak.
ing. Is not a peace body, since II is moi
concerned except indirectly with tn,
terms Of peace, but rather with such bis
questions as the relief OF the starving
populations of Europe and an attempt Il
repair the economic ravages caused BY
the world war. In that vast and vitality
important labor America has necessarily
borne the leading part. but we have
worked closely with her representatives
and hope, have been of some service
] have no reason TO doubt speaking
generally, that the cooperation between
the two countries has been equally clos
in other parts Of conference work.
There is another thing / should lik
TO say. The United States. as some PEG
pie are never tired OF reminding us
came into the war at a comparativel.
late period and though she threw he
whole heart into the struggle and spare,
no effort to victory, It necessarily fol
lowed that her actual sacrifices. both II
men and material were less than fell t
the lot of some of her associates
ION the other hand. she declared a
her entry that she sought no proh
either territorially or otherwise, and tina
declaration she has finally fulfilled
'''I doubt II there is any example Il
aistoryS of a nation which has take
part In a struggle OF comparable magni
tude which has at the end asked for n
direct national reward. Yet Amerlc
may feel that she has done this.
That her national interests in Tn
widest sense have been neglected Is no
true. for the greatest national interes
OF every civilized State is peace. Amer
Tea has striven for peace, but II has bee
peace without material reward. She ha
sought no territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT an
10 financial advantage.
That is a glorious record Of which.
envy between our countries were poss
bic, / should be envious. IL would in
deed be deplorable II at the end OF tn
conference something happened to ma
| This record :"