Connecticut western news., 1920-09-09


 "This is proposing no new thing. This country Is already a member of such & society-The Hague tribunal, which, unlike the league of Versailles, is still functioning, and within few weeks will resume its committee ses- siOns under the chairmanship of an American representative.
 'In that body we have the frame work of really effective instrument tality of enduring peace. The fact that the tribunal did not prevent the great war Is, of course, manifest but the cause of the failure Is no less ap- parent. Germany, already secretly de- termlned upon a ruthless invasion, was able to prevent the adoption of meas ures which might have proved effec- tual. The condition now Is wholly diff ferent Not only Germany, but the entire world has profited to the extent of an awful object lession, the impress sion of which cannot be erased from the human mind for generations to come. The horrors of war and the eagerness for peace have become unl- versaL What once seemed at The HaguS to be a mere academic discus sion has become a positive, outstand- ing need of facing terrifying actuali- ties This makes vastly easier the task of so strengthening The Hague tribu- nal as to render its just decrees either acceptable or enforceable. It is not uncommon for the advocates of the league of Versailles to contrast un- favorably The Hague tribunal upon the ground that the tribunal lacks teeth
 Let's Install the Teeth.
 "very we'll. then, let's put teeth in- to 1t If, in the failed league of Yer sailles, there can be found machinery which the tribunal can use properly and advantageously, by all means let 1t be appropriated. I would even so further. I would take and combine all that Is good and excise all that is bad from both organizations. This statement is broad enough to include the suggestion that if the league, which has heretofore riveted our con- alterations and apprehensions. has been so entwined and interwoven into the peace of Europe, that its good must be preserved in order to stabilize the peace of that continent, then 1t can be amended or revised so that we may still have a remnant of world aspirations in 1918 builded into the worlds highest conception of helpful cooperation in the ultimate realiza- ton.
 'I believe humanity would well come the creation of an international association for conference and world court whose verdicts upon justi. ciable questions, this country in com mon with all nations would be both willing and able to uphold. The de. cision of such a court or the recon. mendations of such a conference could be accepted without sacrificing on our part or asking any other power to sacrifice one iota of its nationality.
 "The Democratic nominee has spo- ken about America abandoning her as sociates in war and deserting the league of Versailles. do not think 1t longer necessary to challenge that statement or pass further opinion upon the unfortunate league It has al. ready been abandoned by Europe which had gone so far as to accept 1t by formal agreement in treaty. On this subject, we are fully informed at first hand. Only the other day the British premier said unresentfully that the essential cooperation of America might involve some change, at any rate, in the form of the cove pant and he added, with characteris. dc outspokenness, 1t Is quite possi- ble 1t might be change for the better
 "Listen, further, to the wise and far seeing, former British ambassador who was not permitted to present his credentials to our executive.
 On Our Own Terms.
 ~'As long,. said Viscount Grey, hard. ly month ago, as long as the richest, most powerful, the greatest, both for population and territory. of the civil. ized countries of the world stands out. side the league. the league will be un. able to fulfill its destiny. To put 1t in quite plain terms. the Americans must be told that if they will only join the league they can practically name their own terms Undoubtedly that Is the fact. I ask: Is there any good req. son why we should not avail ourselves of this privilege? I do not mean fin any arrogant or selfish way, but sim ply as a matter of fairness and right 10 our own people Surely it Is be- coming, and a duty as well, to safe plIard our own DeOnle since if Is we who are the main contributors, while asking nothing for ourselves except to narticipate in a contribution to the promotion of world peace.'
 A Valued Suggestion.
 "Viscount Grey continues: The Americans should be intrusted with the task of drafting a reconstruction scheme Then he suggests further that a committee of the senate-we