South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-11-23

BILE Of achieving its purpose OF war prevention
though we continue hanging back and encourag-
ing enemies OF world peace. to the end OF
doom.
Il recalls that Throughout the recent drive con
Quoted against the League in this country on the
bald assertion that IT would be menace our
national sovereignty" nation after nation continued
to enroll it as system of protection for peace
loving peoples particularly as against such horrors
IS were released upon the world in by the
same Prussianisn as is attempting reassert
Itself-gith our tacit encouragement So today. the
League. even while president-elect, Mr.. Hard
ing is considering plans 10 bury it,, and to form
an entirely new association" functoning
the spirit of an organization that has to stay
Il has LETT a seat for the United States, daring to
hore that as political Lassons and prejudices sub
this nation will yet its clear to Joining
this association.
oh yes there is the danger that all these hopes
Of the League may be dashed. National selhshness
and politicians have managed 70 wreck or override
every other system devised to humanity from
bloodshed Nevertheless the tests through which
his League passed in It's construction and the
things Il has survived since-the long desperate
campaign OF its enemies to undermine It and the
storms that have arisen among of it's
bers-hold the hope that here at last is an or
ganization enduring foundation. The terrible
hatred Of reactonary politicism throughout the
world against one OF its principal builders adds
the belief that in this League the people have
substantial gain.
Had Wilson been the lamb at the peace confer
ence table that some of his critics would have
believe. would he aroused the enmity that he
did on the part of the practical politicians who
never took stock in 1.-The about ending war;
Stupids or weakngs never the hatred of
practical politicians 1t is mind that will
son incurred the wrath OF a number Of gentle
the OF the peace conference by insist
ing that formation of the League be made the first
business. His familiarity with history had
taught him that when the ideal part OF the pro-
gram is left to the last It is usually neglected
Then e incurred wrath by having the League
a part of the peace treaty Destruction of the
association would endanger the victory. 1t is here
the Harding administration is going to
ter greatest difficulty "burying the League"
It may be that this point which is causing so much
abuse of Wilson today. will be one those which
future generations will praise hiu1-the point that
kept idealistic part OF the program of the
allied and associated nations from being immediate
" brushed aside
But pessmism or spite never won anything for
civilization After the storms that the League has
ridden. let its friends continue to have confidence
that the good sense humanity of its members
will remain upperm,ss and that the organization
will prove to all is hoped it. No
says it is perfect: all that its friends ask is that
be given fair trial and that every gain IT rep
resents be held. Instead OF tearing 1t down and
running the risk OF getting association ALL let
it, if necessary be amended from time to time as
in the case OF the American constitution
However, the League is now speaking for Itself.
Wonder if Germany isn't perhaps trying 10 test
it OUT maybe at the behest of her anti-League
Greek ana American friends?