The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-02-27

ed States must approve the league
covenant before we can be bound
by it. There is nc objection to dis
cussion of the treaty. Rather, dis
cussion is desirable, the fullest and
frecSt discussion. The president
does not demand blindfold accept
ance of the treaty. He only asks
to be heard before some things may
be said that might have a tendency
to prevent even an amendment OF
the document in some particulars.
Those who would not or will not
hear him put themselves in the atti-
tude OF opposition to any possible
league for the prevention OF war.
Tariffs Are War-Breeders
There are some things l would
like to see embodied in the great
new charter. Free trade for eX-
ample, but few opponents OF the
league in this country want any
thing like that though tariffs are
VIGOROUSLY breeders OF war. /
should like to see, as | said, anti
cipatorlly, last week, an interna-
tional parliament to consider the
affairs OF the league. The proyis-
ion as made for delegates to the
executive council will not he salts
factory for very long. The peoples
will not be content to be ruled by
political appointees Of the parties
in power in the leagued nations.
They will want this cabinet or
council to be subject to some body
OF popularity elected representa-
tives. The people will not leave
the league of nations to be domi-
mated absolutely by selections of
presidents and premiers. There
must be popular control OF the
league as a further guarantee OF
peace. Secretariats will not do
permanently. There must be
parliament in which not alone all
nations are represented but all
parties and elements within the ma
tions. In such a body discussion
would help to clarity issues and
bring the peoples together. Presi-
dent Wilson thought OF this, but
he says a representative assembly
OF 1,20O,0O0,000 people would be un-
weldly. The fact is that the I'M
wieldness would be dependent up
on the proportional representa-
ton. II we have representative
bodies as large as our congress or
Great Britain's parliamcnt,' as large
an international parliament would
not be too unwcldly. The presi-
dent thinks that delegate represen-
tation in the council by greater or
lesser number, with but one vote
per nation, fills the bill. 1t may,
but it can only ii delegate repre-
sentation be under popular rather
than executive control. The presi-
dent says that any government, as
the plan stands "may vary its rep
resentation from time TO time, not
only, but it may originate the
choice OF its several representa-
tiyes." Ii this means anything ii
must mean the possibility OF popu-
lar control.
In summation, the conference
doubtless could have made a better
but did not. The senate
may lind larger flaws in it than
have yet been exposed. Ii they are
there | hope they will be exposed.
Anything the senate may or can
do to better the league will be wei
come. But this cry OF Smash the
league" or "To hell with Europe
or Damn Great Britain is a cry
not against the league. but against
any league. 1t is the cry of those
who. whether they know it or not,
are working for the perpetuation
OF war, for the intrenchment in
power OF the International finan-
ciers they denounce, and--for Ger
many. Split the league, and kultud
will come back
Give 1t a Trial
The American people may not
love President Wilson as they
have loved other men, but they
don't want the league wrecked
simply to bring him down a peg
or two. Many who dislike Wilson
hate war more. Everybody not
blinded by prejudice secs that the
best thing that can be done for the
war game, for the financierS who
foster war, ior tho purposes OF uu-
repcntant Germany is to keep the
United States out OF the league.
The common man will soon let the
opponents OF the league hear from
him in sharp speech. The average
American wants to give the league
a trial, "If' its q dream let's try
to make it real says he. That's
why | say that it won't be much
OF a fight to which the president
is coming home. For when all is
said and done, the choice before the
world today is between the league
OF nations or an anarchc disinte-
grafton OF civilization from the
ruins OF which may arise the all
embracing domination OF that
scientific barbarism that is called
kultur, Can any sane person doubt
that the people prefer the league,
however it may fail OF realizing
the ;deols Those who firbt +he