Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-09-09

tOOhtluucu iiO
would make no fns distinction a
to whom credit IL due.
This Is psvposiDs no new thing.
This country is already a member OF
such society-The Hague tribunal,
which, unlike the league Of Versailles.
Is still functioning, and within a few
weeks will resume It's committee SEES
stons under the chairmanship OF an
American representative
In that body we have the frame
work Of q really effective instrument
tally Of enduring peace. The faS
that the tribunal did not prevent the
great war is, OF course, manifest. but
the cause OF the failure is no less APP
parent. Germany, already secretly de-
termined upon a ruthless invasion. was
able To prevent the adoption OF meas
ures which might have proved effec-
tual. The condition now Is wholly diff
ferent. Not only Germany, but the
entire world has profited TO the extent
OF an awful object lession. the impress
sion OF which cannot be erased from
the human mind for generations TO
come. The horrors OF war and the
eagerness for peace have become uni
yersal. What once seemed at The
Hague 10 be mere academic discus
sion has become positive. outstand-
ing need OF facing terrifying actuali-
ties. This makes vastly easier the task
OF so strengthening The Hague tribu-
nal as TO render IFS just DEGREES either
acceptable or enforceable II Is not
uncommon for the advocates OF the
league OF Versailles to contrast I'M
favorably The Hague tribunal upon
the ground that the tribunal lacks
teeth.
Let's Install the Teeth.
"Very well. then. let's put teeth in
To II. II, In the failed league OF Yer
sailles. there can be found machinery
which the tribunal can use properly
and advantageousIy, by all means let
II be appropriated. | would even 90
further. l would take and combine all
that Is good and excise all that is
bad from both organizations. This
statement IL broad enough to include
the suggestion that II the league.
which has heretofore rlveted our con
siderations and apprehensions. has
been so entwined and interviewer into
the peace Of Europe, that lis good
must be preserved I'm order 10 stabilize
the peace Of that continent, then II
can be amended or revised 50 that
we may still have a remnant Of world
aspirations In 1919 builded into the
worlds highest conception OF helpful
cooperation In the ultimate realiza-
ton.
81 believe humanity would well
come the creation OF an international
association for conference and a
world court whose verdicts upon justi-
cable questions, this country I'm com.
mon with all nations would be both
willing and able to uphold The de-
cision of such a court or the recon-
ruen dations OF such a conference could
he accepted without sacrificing on
our part or asking any other power
20 sacrifice one iota - its nationality.
The Democratic nominee has spo-
ken about America abandoning her as
soctates In war and Deserving the
allied nations In ESTABLISHING the
league Of Versailles. do not think
IL longer necessary 10 challenge that
statement or pass further opinion upon
the unfortunate league. II has al
ready been abandoned By Europe,
which had gone so far - to accept
Il By formal agreement In treaty. On
this subject. we are fully informed a,
first hand. Only the other day the
British premier said unresentfully
that the essential cooperation Of
America wtshs involve some change,
at any rate, IN the form Of tina cove.
nant and he added, with char cteris
tic outspokenness. II IL quite posi-
BILE II might be change for the better.
Listen. further. 10 the wise and far.
seeing, former British hmbassad dor
who was not permitted to present hi,
credentials to our executive.
On our Own Terms.
"'As long, said yiscount Grey. hard
IL month ago. as long as the richest
mos. powerful, the greatest, both Got
population and territory. OF the civil
tied countries OF the world stands out
side the league, the league will be un
able TO fulfill ITS destiny. To put II IN
quite plain terms. the Americans mus
be told that II they will only join the
league they can practically maine their
own terms Undoubtedly that Is the
fact. ask Ia there any good rea
son why we should not avail ourselves
OF this prlvllege2 do not mean ir
any arrogant or selfish way, but sim
ply as matter of fairness and right
to our own people. Surely It Is be
coming. and duty as well. TO safc
guard our own people. since II Is VIZ
who are the main contributors, while
asking nothing for ourselves except &c
participate In contribution 10 the
promotion OF world peace
A Valued suggestion.
."viscount Grey continues: The
Americans should be intrusted with