The Washington herald., 1920-11-29
How short our happy days appeari
How long the sorrowfull
Jean Ingelow.
Sizing Up the League.


ence long enough to be Judged as to its
capacity to accomplish those things which
its proponents promise and which the whole world
desires II has been IN existence quite long enough
however, for the bitterender opponents of American
participation to view with alarm its acts or to point
with pride to them the fulflment of their drefu
prophecies The criticism already levelled at it is
significant
1t is apparent that if the league does not act
vigorously in smoothing out the worlds problems
II is the vain creation of impractical vsionaries if
It does act vigorously, it is new vehicle of Euro
pean imperilism. Its mperfections, which its
friends admit, will be magnifed the mistakes which
IT will surely make will be enlarged upon whatever
virtues it discovers will be mnimized 1t must not
be imagined, moreover, that the only doubters and
enemies of the league those who are not taking
part In its deliberations. Nor must it be ignored
that there politicians who will endeavor to use
the league as an agency for the promotion of the
policies of the nations they represent.
All these things to be expected, for no step
IN the progress of social and political relationships
has ever been made save in the face of the bitter
opposition of ignorance, prejudice and special inter-
est. In short the difficulties which the league must
face many, but to condemn it if it does not be-
gin at to function Aawlessly or if it does not
Immediately solve the problems which the war has
left indicates either extraordinary ignorance of
conoitions or Dlind partisan bias.
AT the very outset the league has had to deal
with certain troublesome legaceS of the peace set
tlement. These have to do with persons and par
ties who, for patriotic personal reasons have de-
chned to accept the decision of Versailles and by
force of arms have endeavored to settle things in
accordance with their IDEAS Zellgouskis ad-
venture in Wilma is one of these. Poland disclaims
responsibility. Zellgouski is beyond the law and
apparently will not listen to reason unless it is
backed by force of arms. Zellgoush is a Pole His
troops are Poles or Polish sympathizers His OBJ
ject is to recover territory which he believes should
belong to Poland If he refuses to permit pleb-
iscite to abide by its decision, the responsibility
for enforcing his obedience is Poland's.
The wisdom of the leagues decision to send
a small force to Wilma to enforce its DEGREES
is questionable; and it is certain that an interna
tional police force is not likely to meet with popu-
lar approval in America. However to hold those
nations who members of the league strictly
accountable for the nationalistic indiscretions of
their citizens by economic blockade if necessary is
consistent with conception Of the leagues func-
ton and would have salutary effect in discourag-
ing temperamental patriots like Zellgouski
The Wilma matter, the Armenia question, the
admission of former enemy states" have had the
benefit of airing before the world through the
discussion in the assembly. The demands of Lord
Robert Cecil and George Nicoll Barnes for more
light from the council on Posh-Li Lithuanian and
PolishRussian matters should result in the confr-
nation or dissipation of suspicious of the influence
of certain powers in delaying the establishment of
peace in the Baltic and should result in action
in the open to prevent a renewal of the Soviet
Polish war. The old system of announcing deci-
sons and policies after they have been arrived at
by secret negotiations dies hard. Many of the
ablest exponents of secret diplomacy WELD great
power in the governments represented in the coun-
Gil and it is there that the fight against publicity
will be most bitter. Yet under the leadership of
Cecil, Brantng, Nansen, Motta, Barnes and other
liberals much has been accomplished and more
may be expected
Forty-one nations have come together to dis
cuss their troubles and the advocates of the old
order have been put upon the defensive not only in
the assembly of the league but before the world
This is indeed most important accomplishment in
international relationship Here under our eyes is
the growth of moral pressure of the greatest i'm
portance. This is real step in world progress.