Norwich bulletin., 1920-01-24
STRONG POINTS OF LEAGUE OF NATIONS.


 The Covenant of the League of Ma tions formed the topic of a; very inter esting address delivered by Rev. Charles H. Ricketts, pastor of the Greeneville Congregational church, be- fore the members of the Mems club of Park Congregational church at their regular monthly meeting in the Hugh Henry Osgood Memorial parish house Friday evening. The meeting was opened by John $. Blackmar, M. D., president of the club, and following prayer by Rev. Samuel H. Howe. D. D., pastor of the church, and music by the Harmony club trio. composed of Eben Learned, Miss Annie Taft and Miss Helen Royce, the minutes of the previous meeting were read and ac- cepted.
 Rev. Mir. Ricketts was introduced by President Bial1cmar
 Beginning with a comparison be- tween the recent treaty of Versailles and the treaty of Vienna little more than 100 years ago, Rev. Mir. Ricketts said in part:
 When Napoleon turned his back on France for voluntary exile at Elba his conquerorS had three burning prob lens to deal with: What should they dc with France which they had re- gently conuuered ? How should they deal with the intricate and enormous questions raised by two decades of war and conquest that had completely changed the face of Europe. wiped out old states. created new dynasties. ut terly changing the whole source of human existence from the Pyrenees to the frontiers of Russia? And more than this. they had to deal with the age-long problem fhow to prevent fu- tIre wars. precisely the same question that came up at Versailles. althoueh today it is called the covenant of the league of nations but the congress of Vienna was the holy alliance.
 In dealing with these three prob lenls. the congress of Vienna blunder- ed' frfghtfully with the last two, but acted very wisely and generously with France. The congress was clearly rieht in believing that their foe was not France but Napoleon. and when they put Bourbon king on the throne they returned to the nation intact practically all of the territorial di- visions of the ancient monarchy as they existed at the outbreak of the revolution. Neither in indeInnities nor annexations did they seek to offand the spirit of the people they had over wheim e7.
 For the age and for what Europe had suffered. this was singular bit of moderation. but it had for it's basis the clear recognition that if France were >dismembered or plundeerd the Bourbon king whom the congress had nut on the throne would early be a victim of national indignation and "Datriotic vengeance" Thus while Germany clamored for Alsace-Lorraine and various other voices were shout ing for conpensation for the vast in 1uries suffered from the French armies in. these years. allies of 1874 made a. just antl generous peace with France. And they did very quickly after Napoleon set out for Elha: and also they attempted the remaking of the map of Europe. and to provide aeainst any future onthreak like that which had convuIsed Europe during the preceding 20 years.
 At this point of the proceedings the dramatic happened. Napoleon returned from Elba As he set foot on Fren nch soil he snAeringly remarked: "The congress of Vienna is dissolved!" That