The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1920-09-17

who have as good right to seek their
political freedom as we had IN 1I16
and have the same right to developing
eminence under the inspiration OF ma
tionality as we held for ourselves.
1.-THE other type is a society of free
nations, or an association of free ma
tons, or 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 so or
ganiZed and SO participated in as to
make the actual attainment of peace
a reasonable possibility. Such an as
sociation favor with all my heart and
/ would make no distinction as to
whom credit is due
This is proposing no new thing.
This country Is already member Of
such a society-The Hague Tribunal
which, unlike the League Of Versailles,
is still functioning, and within few
weeks will resume its committee ses-
sions under the Craftsmanship Of an
American representative.
I'm that body we have the frame
work of a really effective instrument
tality Of enduring peace. The fact that
the tribunal did not prevent the great
war Is, of course, manifest, but the
cause Of the failure is no less appar
ent. Germany, already secretly deter
mined upon a ruthless invasion, was
able to prevent the adoption of meas
ures which might have proved effec-
tual The condition now is wholly
different. Not only Germany, but the
entire world has proflted to the extent
OF an awful lesson the impression of
which cannot be erased from the hui
man mind for generations to come.
The horrors of war and the eagerness
for peace have become universal VIA.
once seemed at The Hague to be
mere academic discussion, has become
positive outstanding need of facing
terrifying actualities. This makes vaN
ly easier the task of so strengthenGlG
The Hague Tribunal as to render It,
| just DEGREES either acceptable or en-
| forceable. 1t is not uncommon for the
advocates of the League of Versailles
/. to contrast unfavorably The Hague Tri
bunal upon the ground that the
tribunal lacks teeth Very we'll, let's
| put teeth into it. II In the failed
League of Versailles! there can be
| found machinery which the tribunal
can use properly and ,advantageously.
| by all means let 1t be appropriated. ]
would even go further. | would take
and combine all that is good and eX
else all that is bad from both organ.
izations. This statement is broad
enough to include the suggestion that
II the League, which has heretofore
riveted our considerations and appre-
tensions, has been SO entwined and
interviewer into the peace OF Europe
that its good must be preserved In OF
der to stabilize the peace of that con
tinent, then it can be amended or re
vised SO that we may still have a rem
nant of world aspirations in 1918 build
ed into the worlds highest conception
of helpful cooperation in the ultimate
realization.
Il believe humanity would welcome
the creation of an international asso-
citation for conference and world
court whose verdicts upon justifiable
questions this country in common with
all nations would be both willing and
able to uphold. The decision of such
q court or the recommendations oil
without sacrificing on our part or ask
Ing any other power to sacrifice one
iota OF Its nationality.
THE Democratic nominee has spok
en- about America abandoning her as
sociates in war and Deserving the allied
nations in establishing the League OF
Versailles. l do not think 1t longer
necessary to challenge that statement
or pass further opinion upon the un
fortunate league. 1t has already beer
abandoned by Europe, which had gone
SO far as to accept 1t by formal agree
ment in treaty On this subject, we
are fully informed at first hand. Only
the other day the British Premier said
unresentfully that the essential CO
operation of America might involve
some change at any rate in the form
OF the covenant and he added, with
characteristic outspokenness, 1T is
quite possible it might be a change for
the better
Listen further to the wise and far
seeing former British Ambassador
Who was not permitted to present his
credentials to our executive.
AS long, said Viscount Gray
hardly month ago, as long as the
richest, most powerful, the greatest
both for population and territory. oil