Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1920-09-09

heart, whether it is to mention de-
vastated France, or sorely-trled Italy,
or nobly-struggling Poland. or dis
tracted and misguided Russia, or gal
liant little Belgium, or pitiably deceived
Austria. or the ruthless invader, Ger
many, which came TO the supreme
tragedy through a leadership which,
brought disaster to her misguided peo-
Pile
1T was with that feeling Of sym
pathy and desire to serve, that most
reluctantly and with grave misgivings,
as | announced at the time, | with
reservations designed to preserve our
essential liberty OF action. The rec
ord is made, and under the same con-
ditions, confronted by the same alter
native, l should vote now as l voted
then.
Conditions Have Changed.
"But the conditions have changed
Experience has brought enlighten-
ment We know now that the league
constituted at Versailles is utterly i'm
potent as preventive of wars. 1t Is
so obviously impotent that 1t has not
even been tried The original league,
mistakenly conceived and unreason-
ably insisted upon, has undoubtedly
passed beyond the possibility of res
toration. The maturer judgment OF
the world will be that 1t deserved to
pass for the very simple reason that,
contrary to all of the tendencies devel-
oped by the civillzing processes of the
world. it rested upon the power OF
might, not of right.
."The assertion is made frequently
that through the surrender of our ma
tionallty we might have saved the life
of the eovenant--that is to say, that,
although twenty-eight nations could
not make 1t function. one added to the
twenty-eight would have achieved
glowing success. provided always, that
the one were America.
"This pays to America the tribute
of exceptional influence, but | suggest
that If the world is dependent upon our
action to bring about the supreme real
lzatien, then we ought to have the say
about our own freedom in participant
ing therein. But let us consider what
Is meant by this reliance upon Ameri-
ca. What can 1t signify If not that
1t Is to the United States, and to the
United States alone, that the other
twenty-eight nations look for the bone
and sinew, the money, the munitions
and the men to sustain the entire or
ganization, not as an agency of peace,
! but as an armed force?
A Telling Admission.
"a few days ago a delegation OF an
/ organization which calls itself So
ciety for the Prevention of War APP
pealed to the premier of Great Britain
/ to unite and use the powers of the
world in defense of Poland, Armenia
and the Dardanelles. The British pre-
mier replied, according to his remarks
quoted by the newspapers, to the ef-
feet that, while the formation of AN
international army would be AN ideal
4 solution 1t could not be accomplish
ed because the European nations could
not furnish the troops and the United
States had withdrawn from co-opera-
tion'-a polite and diplomatic phrase
and more exactly meaning, of course
that the senate of the United States
had not completed the partial obliga-
ton assumed by the President to dc
that very thing-that is, to furnish the
troops Could a clearer indication OF
what would have been expected of this
country as a member of the league be
desired? Hardly. Some, too, think, OF
say they think, that this extraordinary
service should be rendered. I do not
agree with them, but, assuming that
they are right venture to note that
nothing stands In the way of perform
ance The President has only to cal
upon Congress to declare war, and Il
confer upon him specific authority tt
raise armies for the protection of the
powers which, though recently asso
ciated with, are still foreign to oul
own republic
eIt is reasonably safe to assume
however, that the President will no
pursue this course. Fortunately, he
is under no compelling moral obliga
ton under the league to do so. His
recent unhappy experience, moreover
in asking Congress to send AmericAI
boys to police Armenia would hardly
encourage repetition Of a request al
ready courteously but quite firmly de
clined by the Congress. What then, ii
like circumstances, would be the an
swer Of the British premier himself
In his own words, addressing meet
ing of the Coalition Liberals on Au
gust ~ last, according to the press
reports. he said:
"'When the terrible question O
peace or war has to be decided, oul
first duty as a government is to tbs
people who trust US not to commi
their treasure to any unjustifiable ad
venture Nothing but tie, most impera
tive call of national honor, nationa
safety and national freedom can jus
tify war Before this country is com
mitted to it, even in the most limited
form, we must be satisfied that thes'
GRO in pari1