Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-01-17
ADVENT OF NEW ERA

new era In the worlds history. 1t
saw the beginning of the League of
Nations.
At Paris. where the League was
started. a notable gathering of dip
lomats took place and the machinery
for what has been termed the most
ambitious experiment In government
man has ever assayed was put in
motion. 1t Is an experiment, to be
sure. but SO was the confederation
half ago. Predictions were made
Just as freely then that the states
would not long hold together as are
now made that the nations of the
earth will not long remain in the
league which has just been formed.
Realizing the great purpose OF the
league, however, every right thinking
mar hopes and prays for its sue
cess; the least we can do is to give 1t
a fair trial. 1t remains to be seen
whether III present civilization has
advanced far enough TO cause the diff
ferent races and nationalities to live
together hereafter in peace and hap
piness. This can be told only through
the acid test OF experience.
If the effort fails we will at least
have the satisfaction of knowing that
we made the attempt and If 1t is an
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sion to regret for having tried.
If 1t succeeds. what a wonderful
blessing 1t will be to mankind! What
an influence yesterdays meeting at
Paris will AVE on the untold millions
in the centuries to come.
And there is good reason to believe
that the League of Nations will sue
ceed. No doubt there will be critical
periods when 1t may appear as IL the
great work 50 nobly started will W.
been in vain, but we have faith in
the intelligence of the people Of ell
nations and in the higher statesman
ship of the world leaders to feel that
Shey viii find a solution for all the
problems that may arise n to make
secure for posterity this important
step in the development of the human
race. When the occasion arises. as
1t surely will, great leaders can be
depended upon to come forward to see
that the crisis is successfully met and
with each succeeding adjustment of
world affairs through discussion in
stead of bloodshed. the League of
Nations will be more and more firmly
established.
There is only one touch OF regret
In the great event that tool place at
Paris yesterday; that was the fact
that the chair reserved for the Amer
lean republic was vacant. President
Wilson, to whom more than any to
any other belongs the credit of max
ing possible this great history-making
gathering, was to have presided and
through him the United States Of
America was to have fulfilled her
destiny In leading the world in the
paths of perpetual peace. What a
glorious opportunity it was for the
United States to stand out before the
world as champion in this great
cause. But the ~quibbling of the little
minds that make up the United States
senate prevented 1t. The blot can
never be erased from the history of
this country. but it is not too late
TO make amends.
Having deprived President Wilson
OF the honor of presiding at the
opening session of the League of Ma
lions, perhaps the august senators In
ali their narrow, petty p~artisanship
and personal hatred, will feel that
their desire for revenge has been
gratifed and they may now permit the
United States to play her full part in
this most wonderful movement in the
worlds history. Surely these senator's
are not going to bring h country
into utter disrepute because of any
pesonal feelings they may have to-
ward the President. The League OF
Nations means too much for future
generations for the United States not
to be an active participant.
We hear much about becoming in
volved in European quarrels, but as
Europe is a part of the world the
United States henceforth has got to
be interested IN what goes on there
as well as everywhere else. Our
isolation has gone forever, but we
need have no fear for We have grown
TO be the greatest and most powerful
nation in the world. and. like the big,
strong man among his weaker fell
lows, we are well able to take care OF
ourselves on all occasions and in al
matters.
Being thus interested in all world
affairs. how much better 1t is to think
Of sending a few of u great national
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