Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-28

pies TO Mexico. the appAiC1SVn t.e
Been directed by the robbery an
murder of hundreds Of our own PEG
;Rle in that unhappy country
"A, Notice to All Nations.
s,.I;"This admonition is not directed ex
:.rausiyely toward our next door neigh
/. Dor to whom we would gladly hol'
forth a helping hand. 1t is INTENDED
!3or plain notice to every govern
...ment on the face of the earth tina
the entire resources of this natloi
are pledged to maintain the sacrednes
OF American lives and the just pro
lection of American properties.
The line of demarcation between
our attitude and that of our politica
opponents is perfectly plain. The
President has made his position clea1
by his acts no less than by his words
He still holds article x to be the hear
OF the covenant. So does the demo
cratic nominee. To assume that the
nominee would accept the reserva
tions rejected by the President Ano
denounced by the party platform is tc
inpugn his integrity.
For myself I do not question for a
moment the truth of what the demo
cratic nominee says on this subject
He has fatty said he is in favor OF
going in on the basis announced by
the President l am not. That is the
whole difference between us. but it
is q most vital one, because IL in
wolves the disparity between a world
court of justice supplemented by a
world association for conference or
the one hand. and the council OF the
league on the other.
The one is a judicial tribunal to be
governed by fixed and definite prin-
ciples OF law administered without
passion or prejudice. The other is
an association of diplomats and poll
ticians whose determinations are sure
TO be Influenced by considerations OF
expediency and national self1shness
There are distinctly two types OF
international relationship. One is ar
offensive and defensive alliance OF
great powers. like that created at Yer.
sailles. to impose their will upon the
helpless peoples of the world. 7 am
opposed to such scheme as that ]
am opposed to the very thought of
our republic becoming a party to sc
who have as good a right to seek
their political freedom as We had in
1875.
Society OF Free Nations.
The other type is a society Of free
nations. or an association of free ma
tfons. or q league Of free nations ami
mated by considerations Of right and
Justice, instead of might and self-in-
terest. and not merely proclaimed an
agency in pursuit Of peace. but SC
organized and SO participated in n
to make the actual attainment of
peace reasonable possibility. Such
an association I favor with all nv
heart.
This is proposing no new thing.
This country is already a member of
ss1ch a soeIety.The Hague Tribunal.
IL -
SIS still functioning. and within a few
weeks Will resume it's committee SEES
.sions under the chairmanship Of an
american representative.
In that body we have the frame
work of a really effective instru-
mentality Of enduring peace. The fact
rhat the tribunal did not prevent the
great war Ia, Of course, manifest. but
the cause Of the failure is no less ap-
parent Germany. already secretly de-
Termined upon a ruthless invasion.
was able to prevent the adoption Of
Jneasures which might have proved
shectual. The condition now is wholly
dinerent. Not only Germany, but the
sentire world has profited to the extent
OF an awful object lesson. This makes
thing The Hague tribunal as to render
Enforceable
TT is not uncommon for the advo-
rates OF the league OF Versailles to
sen.rast unfavorably The Har,'e
tribunal lacks teeth Very well. then.
l<t's put teeth into it, If in the failed
league OF Versailles there can be
found machinery which the tribunal
can use properly and advantageously,
BY all means let it be appropriated.
II would 90 even farther. would
fake and combine all that is good and
excise all that is bad from both or
Eanizations. This statement is broad
enough to include the suggestion that
and isterwoven into the peace Of
Europe that its good must be pre-
served IN order to stabilize the peace
pr that continent. then it can be
amended or revised so that we NAV
sim have a remnant Of world aspira-
highest conception Of helpful CO.
operation in the ultimate realization.
Believes 1t Would BE Welcomed.
Il believe humanity would welcome
the creation of an international asso-
citation for conference and a world
court whose verdicts upon justiciable
with all nations would be both willing
and able to uphold. The decision Of
such a court or the recommendations
Of such conference could be accepted
without sacrificing on our part or ask
ing any other power to sacrifice one
iota Of its nationality.
The democratic nominee has spoken
about America abandoning her asso-
efates in war and deserving the allied
nations in establishing the league of
Versailles. ! do not think it longer nee
essary to challenge that statement or
pass further opinion upon the unfortu-
nate league. 1t has already been aban-
doned by Europe. which had gone so
far as to accept it by formal agreement
IN treaty.
Listen to the wise and far-seeing
former British ambassador. who was not
permitted to present his credentials to
our executive. AS long, said Viscount
Grey. hardly month ago, as long as
the richest, most powerful. the greatest.
both for population and territory. Of the
civilized countries Of the world stands
outside the league. the league will be
unable to fulfill its destiny To put it in
quite plain terms. the Americans must
be told that if they will only join the
league they can practically name their
.oWn terms
Undoubtedly that is the fact. ask:
lie there any good reason why we should
not avail ourselves of this privilege?
DO not mean in any arrogant. or domi
.neering. or patronizing, or selfish way.
but simply as matter Of fairness and
right TO our own people.
"Viscount Grey continues: The
Americans should be intrusted with the
task OF drafting reconstruction
scheme. Then he suggests further that
"a committee Of the Senate could draw
up suggestions for the reconstruction Of
1.-THE league
Values Suggestion Highly.
Frankly. | value that suggestion
very highly. II comprehends substan-
tally what I would propose to do il
elected President. ! do not mean pre-
ctsely that. II would be clearly unwise
TO undertake specific suggestions or to