The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-09-15
THAT "FAlLEp" LEAGUE.

Mr.. Harding informs us tnht the
league OF nations Is an "ignominious
failure" but declines to elaborate the
information for us. We are left to I'LL
In the details as best we may. II Is
not even certain Just what he means
by. failure. His own conception OF the
.erm Is more or less vague, II we are
20 judge from his proposal Of reJuve-
mating The Hague court which con-
sessedly failed TO function in prevent
Ing. the greatest war OF all history. II
did not even effectually protest. The
most conspicuous failure OF the league
% nations, however, is in Its disap-
sEDlntment of the prophecies OF evil
which were put forth In regard to It,
has not turned out to be an alli-
rance for war, as some Of Mr.. Hardngs
collAborators have insisted that II is
noT.h has II proven TO be a SUPER govern"
'nfent, ordering the troops OF its mem
Der nations about from place to place
10 be slaughtered willy nilly,
On the other hand, II is quite clear
that Mr.. Harding's verdict OF failure
is premature. The league OF nations
has not abandoned the field. II did not
prevent the war between Poland and
Russia. which began almost before the
league was in existence, but Il IL as
sisting materially In the efforts to
bring It TO an end. 1t was hardly to
.bs expected that the league would func-
ton with full vigor in advance OF it's
complete organization. II Ia yet In a
more or less inchoate state with neither
plans nor machinery for work fully
formulated. There has been a natural
and perfectly proper hesitation about
taking definite steps pending the de-
sls 49,. H.. YT.lA
states. Germany and Russia are to be
Included in its membership. Never
theless, II is going steadily ahead. maxi
ing preparations for future activities
and usefulness.
One feature of the work Of this
failed" league is its efforts TO develop,
as one Of its adjuncts. this same Hague
court, which Mr.. Harding intends to
substitute for the league. II In also |
engaging in other phases OF activity. |
Its Commission on Permanent Arma- |
inents now has under consideration the |
questions of the employment OF poison |
gas as a weapon OF war and the con- |
troll OF the traffic In arms and munitions. |
This commission will compile It's find
ings and report to the council OF the |
league which will then recommend fur
Their steps. The limitation of arma-'
ments. which Gov. Cox considers one OF
tho most benencent matters coming |
within the purvlew OF the league, will
be reached in due course of time and
efforts be made to work out an affirma-
tive program to be submitted 10 the
member nations.
That II should take considerable time |
10 formulate 40 comprehensive n scheme |
as a world league 70 promote peace |
ameng the nations is not an evidence
OF failure. II is the most natural thing |
in the world. In fact. one Of the argu-
mei1ts of Senator Lodge and others has
been against precipitancy Of action, The
league ia not perfect. No human or
is. II may not accomplish
what Is hoped for from II. But lead
ers of the republican party Of much
greater experience and ability than
Senator Harding are earnestly promot-
ing It, Among these Is ex-President
Taft. President Lowell, OF Harvard. for
inef Atty.-Gen. Wickersham and Her
bert Hoover are. others, Mr.. Hardlng's
shallow observations concerning the
league do little credit to the intelli-
gence of these men, or his own How
they can afford to support him-if they
really do so-is not very clear.