Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1920-10-14
ARTICLE TEN
A Fair, Comprehensive, Constructive
View of the League of Nations
Read it again, here it is, Article x

Read it again, here it is, Article x
"The members of the League un-
dertake to respect and preserve as
against External aggression the ter
ritorial integrity and existing politi-
! cal independence of the members of
the League. In case of any aggres-
sion or in case of any threat or dan
ger Of such aggression the council
shall advise upon the means by
which this obligation shall be full
filed"
Does Article X of the League Gov
enant demand that American soldiers
be sent over seas to arrest and sup
press a threatened war in Europe?
Yes, it may do something like that.
like calling out the police force in
case of riot here at home. The
League will eventually carry to the
larger realm Of the world the peace
full criminal code of Wisconsin. Here
in a quiet and orderly little city
there are churches, schools, courts,
policemen and a Jail, all tending to
maintain order and safeguard life
and property. Nevertheless, any day
some ruffian may break over the re-
straints and attempt to beat citizen
up, rob a bank, break into a store or
commit murder. What happens?
A policeman arrives-a gentleman in
blue uniform, star on his breast,
club in his hand. A policeman is
always a gentleman. He represents
the dignity of the state and the maj
esty Of the law, and is respected. He
comes not to kill and destroy but to
save and protect. He may use force
but it is not murderous force of war.
He arrests the offender and confines
the court It is remarkable that on
ly in extraordinary case now and
then does a criminal resist the officer
of the law. The whole state is be-
hind the policeman. Just SO it is
with the society of nations in civil
lied world, there may be an unruly
outlaw nation that will attempt to
rob neighbor state of it's territorial
integrity or it's political indepen-
dence. In such case the League of
Nations calls out the police. But the
League is more lenient than the civ
il authorities of Wisconsin. Before
the strong arm is resorted to, several
other peaceful ways are provided to
bring the offending nation to terms.
Friendly advice Or persuasion, the
boycott, blockade, arbitration etc.
When these several efforts have
been tried and failed, then and there
only may the League resort to force.
Then in such case the other mem
bers of the League 35 Or 40 of them
solemnly agree to furnish sufficient
number of soldiers each in proper
ton. But these soldiers do not go
as an enemy army to slaughter and
destroy as in war, but rather as a
police force with the power OF the
world behind them. 1t will not be
war of savage conquest but just
enough force to put the offender in
limbo. 1t is safe to say that no ma
ton not far gone in defiance of de-
cency, would resist the power of the
world. 1t will never get to the point
of war.
If the cause for which our Ameri-
can soldiers are called out, il they
ever shall be is unjust. If the League
seeks to destroy the liberty or deny
the just rights of any people, our
congress will refuse to let them go,
and ought to refuse. For the high
purpose of the League is to main
tain peace and secure justice, and
when it departs from that purpose
of the League of Nations there is the
justice of God, the love of humanity,
the majesty Of the law, the genius OF
the power Of right
over might. And these motives ap-
peal to us to go into it in good faith
and confidence. We trust our own
government to do the things for
which it was ordained. Why not
trust the League? Is it not better
to go into it and control it than stand
aloof and in the spirit of cowardice
and distrust quarrel over trifies,
treating all the nations as enemies
unfit for fellowship in a common
world?
Article x is perfectly harmless II
you look at it in the right spirit.
Ten to one it may never be called
into action, out you can't cut it out
without destroying the backbone OF
the League any more than yous can