Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-10-28
THE GREAT MORAL ISSUE

The indifference IN the part of the people. excepting when some extra
ordinary attraction has drawn them out, has been remarkable. 1t would
seem as if the average voter had made up his mind long ago how he
would vote and no amount of argument could change him.
We ISL the pronoun his" advisedly. No ne seem able to tell how
the average voter has made up "her" mind. That the women ire intense
y interested has been manifested from the tar and how they vote will
be a determining factor in the election.
But the women who had not made up their minds how they will vote
are now beginning 10 show their inclination. Many OF the men who are
independent voters with Republican leaninss are also being heard from. 1t
is significant that. at the same time. we hear of a decided trend toward
week o two ago ar showing some concern " the outcome.
The people III beginning 10 understand what the League of Nations
issue really meal They have had a opportunity to think it out for them
selves AS they do this the more the league appeals to them and when they
find the two candidates with the issue 81 plainly drawn that one say he
favors going in and the other says he favors staying out. it is plain that
those who hold the league TIC b the paramount issue must decide along
those lines.
1t is all well enough for campaign orators to shout about America re-
naming free; of staying ut of European quarreis; of American boys being
sent to Europe to fight in every little quarrel that takes place-such argu-
ments. if they may be called arguments. may carry some weight with those
who will not do their W thinking; n rduse to reason n thing out for
themselves and who will not get down to the real truth of the matter; but
rs the League of Nations covenant has come to be better understood-and
1t is the easiest thing in the world to understand If will but read it
carefuny-the lying and deceit that there is in all such so-cared arguments
is apparent
In the first place. the purpose of the League of Nations is to promote
peace throughout the world. If will do this we believe the great majority
of the people are for it, especially the women. At least when the war a
on and Immediately thereafter we were all fol anything that would help to
prevent such a slaughter of men and expenditure of treasure happening
again.
The principal claim made against the League of Nations is that the
United States will surrender her sovereignty if she joins with the other
civilized nations in this great movement But over forty other nations Of
the earth W. o INTO TN = me east any
of their sovereignty And it is safe to say that the people Of Great Britain.
franc ltay, pal anulnaVla N TN oouthA mericdn IRE JUST
as jealous of the sovereignty of their W nations as W TT of ours.
The constitution of the United States being the fundamental law of the
land, cannot be superseded. The constitution says that only congress "a
declare The only thing the League of Nations do is to advise"
the different countries that ire members of the league and each nation is
then left to follow or reject that advice as it sees fit and act only in accord.
ance with its w constitution and laws.
But it does not follow that a the first sign of trouble the council of the
League of Nations will advise going to war. There are several other
remedies ito be tried out first.
If dispute arises between members of the league they agree tic sub
init the matter either to arbitration or to a inquiry by the council of the
league. They further agree that re- if they refuse to accept the award
of the arbitrator they will not resort to "a against another member until
Article IL. The plan for the arbitration of all differences between the
nations is more deliberately set forth lin Articles 10 and IS, 50 that prac-
traton. If the matter that arises between the nations is not submitted to
arbitration then the members of the league agree that they will submit the
matters must De hammo Il 1t IS %. unanimous men eAon memoe Oh
If any member nation refuses to comply with these requirements and
proceeds to go o war against another nation of its W free will then the
80 ~. ~ II ,So 49, nat,on. A. -. 49, 49, 49,, ostuito. ~.
do. however. Immediately sever all trade and financial relations with the
nation that has refused to abide by the covenant. This is what is known as
an economic boycott and no nation o earth can long survive with al. The
shot or thu loss of a life. = ~
most defenseless country. if it knew that it would at have all tho
nations of the world against it? 1t will be remembered that the recent war
started with Austria trying to bully the little state OF Serbia. Little did
h No. araun n ~ ~ raousnts haan ssna ~ 49, n.,..~ ns,su -n.otas
England to take part; that if he had thought England would enter the "a
ths To aa~na Of Na +Ho ~ extSono ss 49, as. n u ho ts u Ior,n - a mn
rel that if it does not submit to arbitration and the other provisions of the
covenant it will at nee nave the rest Of the world against it.
1t would be a foolhardy nation indeed, that would go to a under
such circumstances. And if any nation should. W with such knowledge,
deliberately defy the world, it would be a case OF all the nations being
drawn in anyhow. league or n league.
III plain, therefore, that we have everything to gain and nothing to
lose by urging the League of Nations as IA a S preventing future wars is
concerned. 1t is far better for the United States to play a leading part in
world councils in trying to settle disputes before hostlites break out. than
to wait until the hostlhties are actually upon is and then come in, in our
own good time is johnson and others would have u IS do and play the lead
ing part in restoring peace, only at the sacrifice If thousands Of lives.
But there arr still other good features in the covenant Of the League
of Nations 1t provides fol open diplomacy. There an be no more secret
treaties nc n country is a member Of The Ieapue Eyervr nenher when
entering into a n agreement with any other nation agrees to have the agree
ment or treaty published.
The members also agree to Interchange full and frank information as
to the scale of their ornaments their military. naval and air programs and
the condition of such of their industries a are adaptable to warike pur-
poses.
A reduction in the armament of all nations is provided for. thereby
reducing the awful burden of building vast navies and maintaining large
standing armies that has o depressed the people.
The covenant further provides for looking after great international
problems such IS the spread of contagious diseases and epidemics The
league will be equipped to fight these outbreaks at the place where they
originate instead OF letting them spread all " the world as did the in
fuenza W years age.
Yes, the people are beginning 10 understand all these things. They
see the big part that this great and powerful nation Of ourso ought to be
playing in putting such an epoch--making movement into effect. Here in
IdAAAh tho 0rnnf n0nnl fenan f HIN nnaion- h aA ~A>Ii nA @-~A