Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1920-10-12
MRS. IZETTA JEWELL
BROWN
THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS,

For l dipped into the future, far as
human eye could see,
Saw the vision of the world and all
the wonders that would be:
Till the war drum throbbed no long
er and the battle flags were
furld,
In the Parliament of man, the FEEDER
alton of the World;
There the common sense of most.
shall hold fretful realm in
awe,
And the kindly earth shall slumber,
lapt in universal law"
Mr.. Editor
The above is the Vision of the poet
which war torn and war worn Europe
is striving to consummate in the Lea
que of Nations.
Thirty-nine nations have already
signed the League including all the
Allies of the United States in the
world war.
Remember the signature of these
thirty-nine nations were attached to
tn eLeague of Nations without res
ervations.
1t remains for the United States
to attach her signature thereto or
make separate peace with Germany
and suffer the losses of material
sort as follows:
(a) Europe owes us ten billions
of dollars 0,000,000,0OO) and is
struggling in the throes of recon-
struction and will be forced to repu-
diation of this whole debt or a large
part thereof unless the League of
Nations is signed by US, but if it is
signed by US and the European nat
ions can reduce their ornaments and
thus cut down their taxation they
will be enabled to pay the whole debt
and further it will create a friendly
spirit among them towards us and dis
pose them to pay this debt.
(b) The United States has now
in her possession billions of dollars
worth of German ships, which she can
hold as indemnity and for damages
suffered by her from Germany dur
ing the war under the provisions of
the League of Nations, if the United
States signs the same, but if she does
not sign the League, treaty made
with Germany as far back as 1928,
will become effective, which last
named treaty is abrogated by the
under the1S28 treaty Germany could
States; and if Germany later signs
the League of Nations, it lies in the
sphere of probability that the League
of Nations may compel the United
States to surrender the German ships
and thus lose billions of dollars.
(c) Innumerable claims of pri-
vate parties citizens of the United
States against Germany for war
damages would become worthless,
which claims if just would be settled
under the terms of the League of
Nations.
Advantages of the League.
The League of Nations: q
(a) Abolishes secret diplomacy.
OBJ Reduces Armaments.
(c) Reduces taxation lin the
case of the United States additional
taxes for large army and navy will
have to be laid for defense, if we do
not sign the League.
I'D Prevents Wars.
(e) Creates friendly and neigh
borly spirit among the members
thereof
81 Finally it makes beginning
at organizing nations like individuals
on basis of law backed by penalties
which are as follows:
Penalties.
1. A commercial boycott and
cutting off of all communications
with the nation who refuses to obey
the orders of the League. This pen
atty Mr.. Taft says will practically
bring the covenant breaking nation
to terms, without resorting to arms.
2. If the commercial boycott
does not succeed then a recommended
tions of war, if tn unanimous vote
of the Council so decides, and on this
Council the United States will have
a representative.
Safeguards of the u. S. as Member
of the League.
War cannot be declared:
(a) Without the unanimous vote
of recommendation of the Council.
(b) Under the Constitution war
can be declared only by Congress,
and no League of Nations can de-
prive Congress of this Constitutional
power. The American Congress con-
sists of four or five hundred Amer |
lean citizens, responsible to their |
Now if Congress re-
fuses to declare war or take other |
action on uninanimous recommends |
ton of the Council under the League
we would practically be in the same |
position that we are now.
In the one case as now, refusing |
to join the League, in the other case.
as then, refusing to act with the |
League, on the recommendation Of |
Il, q T. L