South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-09-02
Other Editors Than Ours
A LEAGUE OF WORDS.

Mr. Harding rejects the League of Nations be-
cause it did not prevent the Polish-Russian war
and advocates a new League OF Nations founded
on The Hague tribunal which. he himself ad
mits did not prevent the world war in 1914. That
is the only thing which stands out in the candidates
talk today at Marion. In what way the new League
would differ from what have it is impossible 10
understand after reading carefully the maze of
words in which Sen Harding INDUCES.
The League" Mr.. Harding says, has already
been abandoned by Europe" Let him look at the
list of things the League is even accomplish
ing Let him ask Elihu Root, who comes from Eu-
rope, where he has been helping TO draft the plan
Of international court that is being established
under the auspices of the League Of Nations. Can
Mr.. Harding believe his assertion?
There distinctly types of information
relationship. One like that created at Versailles
impose their will upon the helpless people Of
the world The other type is a society OF free
nations association OF free nations
league of free nations, animated by considerations
by right justice instead OF might and self
interest. and not merely proclaimed agency
OF peace but organized and participated in
make the actual attainment OF peace rea~
sonable possibility"
What new group of free nations has Mr. Hard
ing in mind that Is be different from the
League formed after long deliberaton. the best that
representatives Of nations could agree on How is
Mr. Harding. who does offer detail OF
his league, 10 get these nations together new
basis? Were they all animated only b. considera-
tons OF might and selfinteres?" Then how would
he change that7 These questions which anyone
must ask himself who sees in world peace some
thing beside a matter of words
Again Mr.. Harding says:
1T is not uncommon for advocates OF the
league of Versailles to contrast unfavoraoy The
Hague tribunal upon the ground that the tribunal
lacks teeth Very well, then, let's put teeth
in it"
When he has done that, in what manner does his
new league differ from the present League? He
would have the nations. the age-old
conflicts and prejudices would be represented And
he proposes the of calling these nations to-
gether when he has not suggestion 10 offer. moth
Ing except vague wordS-for he says: 1t would Dc
clearly unwise TO undertake specific suggestions
10 attempt TO pass upon suggestions now"
The thing Mr.. Harding proposes II he proposes
anything is 10 call the nations of the world to-
gether again 10 draft league. without speci-
hc suggestion how should differ from
trying realize its aspiration for peace. He says
the objection that this course would involve the
reconvtniug Of the entire convention may be
garded a very slight one" Why slight when every
month has meant and does mean a loss OF the
worlds confidence in the ability 10 obtain peace?
With all the wish in the world 10 md in Mr.
Hardings speech something that offers hope 10 the
world. is possible 70 find only words words words
There would be difference in Mr.. Hardng's
league Il would be Mr.. Harding's league That
all The unhappy conclusion is forced the reader
that the candidate of great party for the presi-
dency. finding that his country is devoted the
strumentality for peace which the world has,
gropes hopelessly lost in OF rhetoric deal
Ing Lightly with problems the greatest minds OF the
nstiorS have done their best 20 meet saying he
has foliey. but giving proof only that he re-
Jects The League OF Nations Mr.. Harding Is so
that he later say he meant anything
on earth by these words He be specific II he
decides tha- IS desirable But has he any remote
conception II The worlds problem He is against
The Leasue he is for another league. But what the
words except that long time elarss and the
hope Of The world must grow dim.