East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-06-24

, Henry spoke. Ills elolnente ibuudered
along the Atlantic seaboard. There Is n
just Cod he said. who presides over the
destinles % nations; and who will raise M
friends To fight our BATTLES for us Hts call
sounded across thr sea and friends did rise
up, La Fayette, the Frenchmsn. came; a
bog only nineteen years OF age--intfepid
fired with the spirit of liberty incensed at
the Injustice of the oppressors. Thomas
Paine an Engllshman, came: not with
sword but With a weapon more destructive
to tyrants-the zen. He wrote Common
Sense Koscinszko and Count Pulaski,
the Poles, they came: and Baron Steuben.
the Prusslan: Count Rochamheam and Dnc
dc I.uzun. the Ftenchnien: Baron De Ealh,
the Bavarian; and Count fersen, the swede.
The Marquis de la tayette tlrIied the tide
Of battle. lie Was Washington's Closest ad.
wiser and friend. Count Pulaski fought at
brandy wine aud was mortaiIy wounded ut
Savannah. Baron he Kali fell at cdmtIen.
Baron Steuhen was an experienced veteran
of many wars and his services In drilling
the raw recruits ere Invaluable.
America's Part. t-,-
The colonies were saved from their OPP
iressor, They became tLe United States.
They have grown TO bethe mlshtiest repul.-
lie the world has ever seen. Whea the
great war opened in Europe the sympathy
OF the whole body ot the American people
went out to France. At last contrary 10
the traditions of the republic. iured by the
love of France, the United States plunged
into the conflict. Our declaration Of war
cast the die mud seated the Kaisers doom.
Side by side al the battle front waved the
TrieolDr OF France and tile Stars and
Stripes .T
As soon as the war was over the Amer
lean arruies sbaiild hive been brought home
and our government slInnld have Withdrawn
absolutely from tue controversy This
would have heen In conformity with Wash
ingtou's lmnerisbnbe Farewell ADDRESS and
In conformity with every tradition and prIn-.
cipIe OF American policy Int President
Wilson thought otherwise ana lie Is over
there to-day Interviewing our destiny
In the tolls Of European ambition.
ritasshIp interest. humnr. ,and' caprice"
This George Washington advised US never
to do.
What does the President expect to accom-
rish: Is Il the League OF Nations and
nothing else3 america needs no League OF
Nations The war cost us fifty billions OF
dollars. so it has been estimated. We spent
this not Because we were In danger OF In
yaslon. hut 10 save the soil of France, No
patriot besrudGes dollar of the money. for
n 4Inht
tude But II 1t were merely protection from
invasion that impeIIed us into action. the
expenditure. Of fifty Billions was uuneces-
snry. for four billions would have made us
invncibie against the world. One billion
spent 10 build II navy. one billion to or.
sanize and equip m army. one billion for
Notifications ana harbor dcfenccs, and
one billion to develop our agricultural
resources-aDd then we could have bid
defiance to the combined armies and
navics OF the world. And today that ex-
penditure would make the United States alb
soutely inlIregnabIe Therefore we need
no League Of Nations, either In Its present
revised. un-American. unthInkable shape,
Or In auy other siia,,e
s9 President Wilson.
But the President Is Ii Paris, and what
Is he there for: Is it TO help Englnhd tear
mp the Pact OF London? Is It to shrink mp
Italy into third rate Power? Is 1t to make
Africa into Que vast coiony of the British
Empire? Surely tile interposition OF these
Instructions to peace and equity cannot he
his purpose. Then what is his purpose? II
A merica has any Interest In Europe today
it is the same interest that took her there
when the United States entered the war
the protection OF f'rahce. >t
What is France TO get out OF the war?
Alsaee and Lorraine: two little provinces
each about as large as st. Lawrence county
In New York state. She also wishes to
annex the Sasr Valley. which is simply an
attempt to extend the northern boundary
line of Lorraine into German territory. Tne
Saar Valley would be small recompense in
lead for all the losses Sustained by France
ut the hands OF Germany. but its seizure
would further incense the German people
ind add to the racial hatred between the
.wo nations. Therefore perhaps its seizure
would be unwfse. Geographically France
'al never expand on tile Continent OF
Europe. Her Salvation lies 10 ber colonies
md 10 tile acquisition OF new colonies. IN
rider to retain her present colonies and
require others her navy must be the equal
# the British. navy. The French popula-
Ion Is depicting France unfortunately. Is
'iven TO race suicide Her blrth.rate falls
sr short OF her dealh-rate., Her apparent
L. about 39.O00,O00 but this fig
&c l. reS"esS ~ t.c!rSsiSs 2ts<S \