The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-09-23
A ROPE OF SAND.


Having put Spain out of Cuba, we pollced the
island until its people could set up govern
Iment and rule themselves Having broken the
grip of Germany ON certain subjugated peoples,
the rational course for the allies would have
been to send forces TO preserve order IN the lb-
Grated regions until the inhabitants We're able
to agree with their neighbors about their from
tiers and govern themselves in peace Inls
natural course of things would have been fol
lowed but for Mr.. Wilson'S insistence on his
loriginal and entirely unnatural course. Set up
a league he said, before doing anything else and
leave all troublesome questions to 1t. HIS view
prevailed. The allies owed US lot OF money
and We were known to have more that might be
loaned; and debtors are quite amenable to sug-
gestions In situations of that kind. So every
thing else was snbordinated to wrangles over
paper league; and during the year thus wasted
conditions IN Russia, eastern Europe, Asia
Minor were allowed to GO from bad to worse.
No boundaries were established no order
was preserved Races, factions religious sects
and territorial neighbors were left to fight each
other with fEghtful bitterness; and the ragged,
starving, war-worn peoples thus increased their
Emlseries until condition of unbelievable an
larchy and wretchedness now prevails. Europe
tgot no peace and assurance of it; but it got
ia league which collapsed the moment strain was
put upon it; and the inaction of the powers per-
United the development of the insane movement
ito destroy the entire existing social fabric of
civilization In the Oldest vastest and most popu
lous continent of earth
1t is interesting to note in this connection
that the league members have gone into it as
ia rule In perfunctory manner and without,
in a single case that comes to mind, anything
like a referendum to their people. Here In the
United States alone has the league plan been
analyzeds dissected, discussed by the intelli-
gence OF the nation. Our people alone have
considered its moral aspects, as in the case Of
China, and the feasibility and promise of a
super state as practical political institution.
We have found that the league in its present
form calls for the surrender of cherished ira
Iditions. for alterations in our form of govern
!ment and the abandonment of historic policies.
We must yield on these points if we enter in
good faith the league as it stands; and this is
now our chief election issue The league has
proved to be rope Of sand. No nations in
Europe pretend to be bound by it, but have set
lit out behind their place of business in an alley
and under shed. The question is if we want
30 pretend that we will take it and abide by it's
decisions, when we know perfectly well that
mo American congress will take orders from any
foreign council or super-state in matters which
involve policies vital interests or ideals
The demand for life insurance. thought to be
at its peak in 1919, shows no present signs OF
recession. a tabulation Of reports from fifty
four life insurance companies covering new
tpaidfor business in July, on the paid-for basis,
showed aggregate writings for July, 1920,
amounting to 1928, 89O508, against $685.
I036, written by same companies in July, 1919.
The increase of $39,5O2,472 was 2Os per cent
over the July, 1919, business. Forty-six of the
companies wrote more new paid-for business in
July, 1920, than in the corresponding month Of
1919. The amount of gain by these companies
was $40,957,9 800 Eight companies wrote less
new business In July, 1920 than in July, 1919.
The amount of decrease by these companies was
81 ,455,518, AS stated above, the net increase Of
the ffty-four companies was $39 500, 472.
IF man is convicted in Spain of having
kissed his wife on the streets of Madrid. will
that be a crime sufficient to bar him from ad-
mission to this country, or will he be regarded
as a good prospective customer Of the moving
picture show that makes specially of close
ups in kissngi
It is reported from Washington that sugar
will be reduced in price until after election
when it Will again start climbing. AT any rate
it shows that Mr. Palmer and his agents have
II b ,+,-n1 +ao