Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-01-02

reflection which makes me anxious makes
me also hopetul-the very thought that
without effort we may slide back assure
me that with effort we can press -
ward.
SHOULD TRY TO
MAKE LEAGUE WORK, ~
All that ask these critics Of the
league Of nations is that, if they can
find no substitute for the machinery
which we propose, they will at all events,
throw themselves into the task of max
ing 1t work if they can, and that they
viii go forward in a spirit of hopeful
ness and faith, conscious Of the Difficult
ties, recognizing all the obstacles in their
path, and will nevertheless say: THAT
is the path whihc we must pursue"
But there are two conditions at least
which must be fulfilled if the league Of
nations is to be a success. The league OF
nations provides the machinery, but ma
chtnery without motive power, body
without a soul, is utterly useless, and
behind the machinery, if the league or
nations is to do all that it ought to do,
must be the motive power derived from
the wills of the peoples of the world,
and their action must be founded on the
common conscience. That is the first
condition. Another condition is that all
the powers, anu ulOT0 GSpSCAal1y IAO
great powers, on whose action so much
in the near future must inevitably de-
pend, should take an equal share of the
burden, which 1 do not for a moment
deny that the league of nations is go
ing to throw upon them. If the descrip-
ton | have given of what the league of
nations may be has the slightest truth
in it, do you suppose results so tremen-
dous can be attained without some FISK
and some effort? OF course they can
not, and all the great nations respon-
sible for this great undertaking should
accept the same risk and be prepared to
make the same effort.
RESERVATIONS WILL
KILL LEAGUE.
If one of us begins to make reserva-
tions l confess that I think the culture
of the league of nations is d2 TX, In
deed. for the reservations that Gle great
nation makes will be copied inevitably
by others. The whole sense of equality
of effort will be thrown aside; solidarity
will be dissolved. Great statesmen Will
look more and more to the narrower IN
terests which influence public opinion.
More and more they will turn their eyes
away from that common object which
all must pursue in common, ana TOT
which all must be prepared to make the
same sacrifice Therefore, l venture TO
say to any friends of mine in any coun-
try who are considering their response
bilitv at this great moment of the ,worlu
history that they. ought clearly to IN
derstand that, unless they are prepared
to bear an equal share In an equal task
they are threatening with ultimate dis
solution the whole of that new system
which all of us, in common with the
great nations, must sincerely desire 10
see work effectually. Now is the ap-
pointed hour, for, If the world-still stag
gering under the effects of the terrlnc
struggle Of the last FIVE years-if the
world now is not prepared to undertake
the great task which lies before It, l
despair of the time ing-certainiy not
within my experimentation an oppor-
tunity of a like nature will present u
self. Let it not be said that, having sac
rifced untold millions of wealth and IN
told millions of invaluable lives aIter
having won In the great struggle, atter
having saved Europe from imminent dls-
aster. we threw away the fruits OF We
tory. and, from mere carelessness ana
'aziness, we let go by that golden OPP
portunity which once lost may never
return.