Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-10-11
OF NATIONS
BEST GUARANTEE
OF PEACE PROGRAM
World Conditions Analysed by
Rev. w. A. Vrooman, Unitar-
ian Church Pastor.
SEES GREAT DANGER
WITHOUT A COVENANT

In the Unitarian Church, yesterday,
Rev. w. a. Nrooman referred briefly TO
the League of Nations. He said he took
no part in the national game of party
politics, but must say that he Regarded
the present League of Nations as one oi
the most important steps ever taken
toward the Christian ideal of universal
Justice, &c od-will and peace:
''In the past the world has been tor
tt,red bv racial hatreds and national
feuds, ''s he said. "The old methods of
preserving peace have laways broken
down. After the Great War the Ia ions
determined 10 make trial of q new method.
The nations were challenged TO make
covenant with each other to reduce
armaments and to use every known pre-
ventive of war. Forty-one nations have
now signed the covenant and are gradually
putting it's PROVISIONS INTO operation
They hope to effectively cooperate IN
substituting publicity and moral suasion,
arbitration and law, public opinion and
economic pressure. tor violence IN the
settlement of disputes.
cit is obvious that the first principle OF
such voluntary association OF oeInocra-
cies is that each shall agree TO mind ITS
own business and refrain from aggressive
interference with the domestic concerns
or territory of its neighbors. How else
could there be a League for Peace! 20
in Article Y all members of the League
agree, 10 respect and preserve as against
external aggression the territorial IN
tcgrity and existing political mdepend-
ence of all members of the League. Unless
each member is willing TO act IN TINS way
toward all the others there would not be
the attitude conducive go peace. Aggres-
sive action or neutrality IN the presence
of aggression against the integrity ana
independence of a nation are directly
proyocative of war. II nation is un-
willing 10 defend itself and allies from
external attacks, or is sc cretly deslrous
of attacking or remaining nuetral during
an attack on existing States, 1t has no
place in the League. Its attitude then
encourages preparation for war. IL Is
of enormous importance that forty-one
nations have pledged themselves to stand
together IN planning for peace.
STRONG PROTECT THE WEAK.
"But some are strong and some are
weak. What guarantee shall the weak
have that the strong Will observe the pact?
What less could be done than to place the
strength of all behind the rights OF the
weakest of the coalition? What less could
he done than to provide an lnternationai
court OF law and enlightened Pnblic
oninion. n friendly cooperation, a united
economic power, and as a last resort the
use Of international force for the defence
az the threatened member? What less coul
be done than to agree, all with each, that
means shall be adopted according to the
need. means 10 be decided upon N
Council, for the defence of threatened
.,ember from a quatreisome or ambitious
ncighbor?
f.Y'hls covenant must naturally be
defective and il is perhaps not satisfactory
IN all its parts TO any single membei
subscribing to IT. But mutual concessions
had TIA be made and agreed TO, IN order
TO come within sight OF the great object
desired. the cessation OF aggressive acts
likely 10 lead TO war. That most OF the
world IS prepa red to make this step for
ward and agree to honestly seek TO man
tain peace upon the basis mentioned Is q
remarkable advance in civilization toward
the Christian ideal The League may
fail. and many In all nations desire TIN:
failure, but If it does fail and of the terri
BILE irritableness that affiicts all nations
after the war and the flames that still burr
In the East are not subdued, new anc
dreadful conflicts are certain and none
OF us viii escape their terror.
Whether this country decides 10 re
main isolated and aloof from the Greai
League or to 20 In, let us at least hope anC
pray that the purpose for which the
League has been organized, the mlante
nance OF international peace. the hlgf
hope OF nearly half a hundred nations
who have united to make this great at
tempt, may not be defeated.