The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-06-28

rod while this history was in the
was one responsible Ameri-
can voice raised in protest.
Thus, before we entered the war,
we made the pledge; during the war
we restated the pledge; and when the
,rmistice was signed, all Of the ma
tions, ourselves included, renewed the
pledge; and it was upon the faith OF
these promises that Germany laid
down her arms. Practically all Of the
civilized nations of the earth have
now united In a covenant which con-
stitutes the redemption Of that pledge.
We alone have thus far failed to keep
our word. Others max break faith;
the senate Of the United States may
break faith; the republican party may
break faith; but neither president Will
son nor the democratic party will
break faith.
The Fundamental Purpose
In this hemisphere, the mere dec
laration of our young republic that
the attempt Of any foreign power to
set foot on American soil would be
considered an unfriendly act, has
served to preserve "the territorial in
tegrity and the political independence"
of the nations of Central and South
America The treaty pledges all Of
the signatories to make this doctrine
effective everywhere. 1t is the Mon
roe Doctrine Of the world.
The purpose of the league is to
give notice that If any nation raises
its bloody hand and seeks to cross
the line into any other country, the
forces Of civilization will be aroused
to suppress the. common enemy Of
peace. Therein lies the security of
small nations and the safety of the
world.
Every war between nations that
has ever been fought began in an at
tempt to seize foreign territory or to
invade political independence. If, in
1914, Germany had known that in
the event of hostilities, Great Britain
would have entered the war; that
France would go in; that Italy would
go in; that Japan would go in; and
that the United States would go in
there would have been no war.
Objections to the Treaty
The opponents of the treaty cry
out Shall we send our boys abroad
to settle a political quarrel in the
Balkans?' Immediately the unthink-
ing applaud and the orator records 4
momentary triumph. Have we forgot
ten that that is precisely what Amer
lea has already done? Have We for.
gotten that we sent more than two
million men to France, spent moro
than twenty billions of dollars and
sacrificed nearly a hundred thousand
lives to. settle Balkan dispute?
There was a controversy between
Serbia and Austria Territorial ques
tions, political rights and boundary
lines were involved. The crown prince
of the house Of Austria was assassin
ated. A little flame of war licked uI
| into the powder house of Europe. ant
| in a moment, the continent was IN
| flames. 1t took all the power Of civil
How idh to inquire whether We wish
TO send our boys to settle politica
disputes in the Balkans!
1t is extraordinary that men should
waste our time and vex our patienct
| by suggesting the fear that we may
be forced into future wars while for
getting entirely that America was
forced into this greatest of all wars
No league of nations existed when W,
entered the war; and it was only
of battle. a league of friendship, un
der unified command, that We were
able to win this war. This asso
citation Of nations, held together by I
common purpose, fought the war to {
victorious conclusion dictated thj
terms of the armistice and formulated
the terms of peace. If such a resul
could be achieved by an informal anC
temporary agreement, why should no
the association be continued in a NOR,
definite and binding form? Wha
plausible reason can be suggested fo'
wasting the one great asset which ha
come out of the war? How else shall
We provide for international arbitra
ton? How else shall we provide 70
a permanent court Of internationa
justice? How else shall we provid,
for open diplomacy? How else shall
we provide safety from external as
gression? How else shall we provid,
for progressive disarmament? How
al hnn md ha M
the basis Of reconstruction established
How else shall society be steadied 81
that the processes Of healing ma.
serve their beneficial purpose? Unit
the critics Of the league offer
better method of preserving the peac,
of the world, they are not entitled
to one moments consideration in tn
forum Of the conscience of mankind.
Not only does the covenant guar
antee justice for the future. but
holds the one remedy for the evil
of the past, AS IL stands today wa
Is the one way in which America cal
express its sympathy for the oppress
ed of the world. The league of ma
tons removes the conventional
shackles of diplomacy. Under the COY
enant, it is our friendly right to pre-
test against tyranny and to act a
counsel for the weak nations noy
without an effective champion.
The Existing League
The republican platform contains
vague promise to establish another o
different form of association amongs
nations of a tenuous and shadow
character. Our proposed co-partner
in such n proect are unnamed and III
namable. 1t is not stated whether
is proposed to invite the nations tina
have established the present league I
dissolve 1t and TO begin anew, O