New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-11
League Is Dead
Abroad, Beck
Says On Return
Nobody Believes i'm Ii, for
1t Is a Thing Forgotten,
Lawyer Declares After
Two Months i'm Europe
Crisis Seen i'm England
Nation Is Said To Be Pass.
ing Through Its Most
Serious Social Revolt

"The League of Nations is dead. No
body abroad believes in it. Nobody
talks about it, for it is a thing for
gotten. When say that the League Of
Nations sas dead and forgotten as the
Holy Alliance l have said all there is
to be said of a thing that no longer
exists"
That was the opinion expressed yes
tcrday by James NJ. Beck, the lawyer,
who returned with his wife and daugh-
ter, Miss Beatrice Beck, on the White
Star liner Adriatic from Southamp ton.
They had been on trip of two months
through England, France, Belgium and
the occupied parts of Germany.
England" said Mr.. Beck, ais pass
ing through the most serious social
revolution since that of Cromwell
Among the many distinguished Eng
hsh publicists | found spirit of great
apprehension. The authority of the
political state as against the powerful
labor group is at stake. Apparently
an impasse has been reached, for the
labor leaders were not sufficiently sat
listed with the solidarity of their forces
to push their extreme demands, while
the government does not dare to assert
its authority fully. with the hazard Of
a general strike.
The best opinion seemed to be that
the sober second thought of the man
ual workers would have the situation
II not. the only salvation Of parlia-
mentary government lies in the patriot
ism of the middle classes.
Conditions Better in France
"In France social conditions were
much better. Labor had rejected the
spirit of sovietism and was Loyalty CO.
operating in the work Of reconstruct
ton. Great progress had been made
The crops were in fine condition, and
public men spoke with confidence of
the future, as was shown before any
announcement of q new war loan.
There were advance applications by the
thrifty peasants and small business
men for a considerable part of it.
while in Belgium was greatly
privileged to have private audience
with King Albert. 1t lasted nearly an
hour, and We discussed many subjects
lie expressed great admiration for
America and its institutions, and even
greater gratitude for it's help in Bel
gums hour of dire need.
Hoped America Would Not Fail
ale hoped that America would not
lose her interest in world affairs, to
which | ventured to reply that without
respect to division of opinion as to the
form of our participation in world af-
fairs, end especially the League of Ma
tions. America would not and could not
ian t" cooperate in the reconstruction
of civilization.
"in discussing the theater, King AL
bert spoke OF the enormous develop
ment Of the cinema, and then said with
:, chucklc Your Mary Pickford and
Charlie Chapman (probably meaning
Douglas Fairbanks) are apparently the
most important personages in the
world Then he added with a hearty
laugh; When Charlie Chaplin went to
Paris he had a greater reception than
Marshal Foch.'"
Mr.. Beck said that a clipping from
The Tribune of July "a was sent to
him while in London announcing that
Pref. Hans Delbrueck, Of Berlin, had
authorized The Tribune, through its
Berlin correspondent, to challenge him
to debate on the subject Of Ger
many's responsibility for the war.
MIR. Beck said if he had known of it
in time he would have accepted the
challenge provided his German oppo-
nent spoke as good English as he Mr..
Beck spoke German.