The Washington herald., 1920-03-07
ARMY QUESTION
BEFORE LEAGUE
AS u. S. WAIVERS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

Z
power and moral influence of the
United States the league will sue
ceed. Without America the leagur
may succeed. Everything depends
upon two words, will" and "may."
That the United States cannot pre-
vent the league from making some
progress and exerting some infiu.
ence in the parliaments and among
the belligerent statesmen Of Europe
Is obvious. 1t does not seem possi-
BILE now for America wholly to de-
feat the leagues possibilities.
Thirty-one nations, counting the
British Empire as one, have off,
cially Joined the league. Within q
short time Sweden, Norway, Switzer-
land. Denmark and Holland will in
crease the number to thirty-six
With the exception of the United
States and a few Central American
countries, Russia and former Central
European states. every other nation
in the world has both confidence
and hope in the league.
Reactionaries Affected.
While Americas Stubborn refusal
to join the league has not killed it.
still the Senate's opposition has to
it's credit the following accomplish
ments:
The Senate's antagonism has
aroused and strengthened all reac-
tionary European dislike of any or
ganization which seeks to change
the existing order.
II has given immeasurable pres
tige and influence to all the forces
of militarism in every European
country.
1t has given all those who believe
In secret diplomacy time TO en-
trench themselves in all govern
ments. so that the task of bringing
about changes in diplomatic meth
DDS Is now confronted with SEEM
ingly insurmountable obstacles
AS result of the Senate's delay.
as much perhaps as of President
worldwide sentiment in favor of
the league and international desire
for some peace organization has be-
come solid.
Europe Loses Faith.
Americas hesitancy has caused
the great majority of people In Eu-
rope to lose faith and confidence
in the United States.
Following the meeting OF the
league council recently held
in st. James Palace, league Of
ficials have been burdened by al
most unlimited clerical work and
correspondence. now that the allied
conference has asked the league
labor bureau to undertake an inves-
tigation of conditions in Russia.
The leagues first opportunity. in
deed, will come in its Russian work,
but after that the chief subject will
be that of armaments.
Taking up this problem In Rome.
where the Pope may have an op-
portunity to use his great in
fiuence-Sir Eric Drummond, sec
retary of the league, is very de-
yout Catholic-the league council
expects to be able to come to
some international agreement on
ornaments.
sIargest Navy Feared.
Everyone in Europe realizes the
question of disarmament will be
exceedingly difficult of discussion
as long as the United States re-
mains on the fence, as long\ as
Europe reads almost daily in press
reports from the United States of
her large army and largest navy
in the world"
In its final analysis 1t is Amer
ica's inconsistency which Europe
cannot comprehend. For our poll
tics we might be forgiven. but for
protesting belief and faith in peace
and then practicing increased arm
aments. America arouses Europe's
suspicious. At this critical period.
when America Is still debating the
league 1t may interest the public
to know that in Europe 1t is gen.
orally believed that the two ma
tions which today have the strong
est faith in the league are England
and Germany.