Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-03-18
Enitnrial Bi1pHt
Must We Join the League7

Secretary Daniels declares that If America
does net join the League OF Nations j. must
build 'incomparably the greatest navy In the
world"
The Lincoln Star und.) indorses the secre-
tary's views, arguing that the United States
must be either for the league or against it
We are at present the only powerful nation
outside the league. and logically the task Of
supplying the anu-league military strength
falls upon this country's shoulders"
"Unless the United States is as strong as
the League of Nations" the Star argues, ut is
subservient, in theory at least, to the league
and might as well be member OF the league
eyen though at the great sacrifice which the
obstructionist senator's say 1t would mean TO
become subservient there is but one road open,
and that is an immensely enlarged navy and
army"
"If we refuse to take place in the league, y
declares the San Antonio Express Und. Dem.),
"all the nations would consider themselves re-
quired, in 'self-defense,' to go on enlarging
their navies, with the result that such rivalry
would force the United States either to out
distance all other countries in this respect. or
sink to the position Of second, third. or perhaps
fourth place among the nations OF the world"
The Portland Oregonia lind. Rep) is OF the
same mind. believing that "by accepting rea-
sonable reservations we can obtain the pre-
dominant position in the league" and can
escape the necessity for great navy, but THAI
"if orld-beating navy should become neces-
sary responsibility must be shared by the
death battalion and the Wilson standpatters.
'"rhe country is at peace or at war; sub
mits the New York World (Dem) there is no
third condition. 1t must seek peace or prepare
Pop fho nayf
clares that out Of the league, Americas iso-
lation would be so complete and SO hazardous
to the future Of this country that hard-headed
| business men, as well as the man who occupies
a humber sphere in the affairs OF the nation,
can easily imagine that the safety Of America
will depend in large measure on our sea
power" The Wichita Eagle und) points out
that:
"An the powers that lately were our asso-
ciates in war owe us great sums Of money,
and many of them would be glad of an excuse
| to quarrel with US and refuse to pay their
debts, if they thought they could succeed in
the stroke. If we do not join in a league with
them, they assuredly will join in a league
against U.S."
! Besides the cost of building the largest
navy in the world the Albany Argus lind
DEM reminds US. thousands of our young
men will have to be taken from the productive
|
and the Utica Observer DEM thinks it "un
fortunate that this nation, foremost in advo
eating arbitration, international courts ant
| law. reductions of armies and navies
! stands out against reasonable method for the
peaceful settlement Of international differences
and in favor Of gun-toting by the nations"
So much for the arguments in support o.
Secretary Daniels position. On the othel
side. the Fargo Forum (Rep.) denounces Mr.
Daniels as "our chief jngo" pointing out thai
We need no great navy for defensive pur
poses since the war with Germany demon.
strated the impossibility of landing an arm,
on hostile coast and maintaining it there
and that therefore unless Secretary Daniels
plans to pick scrap with Great Britain" Their,
is no excuse for sinking hundreds of million
in 'incomparably the greatest navy xat viii
become junk in 10 to Is years" The Indian
lapolis Star lind. Rep agrees with this: "w,
are not looking for conquest" it says "but fo
protection. So long as we have the force re
quisite for our own defense we do not need t,
worry about what some other nation has
The Idaho Statesman fRep) regards the Dan
sels idea as meant merely as a challenge {,
England and believes that if the secretary
advice is followed. England will meet tn,
challenge or attempt to do so. A competition
of this kind will force enormous increases o
taxation for period of years And al
to what eni?" In support Of this view. tn
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle fRep
notes that with the German naval menac
removed Great Britain has adopted polic-
of naval retrenchment." but that this polic,
will not be long adhered to if the impressio,
once is created that the United States has ha
rome competitor. in new race for nava
supremacy. in place Of Germany"