Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-19
The World As 1t Is.

More than two years have elapsed since the
League of Nations became an active concrete
topic for discussion; more than year since it
was finally and definitely rejected by the senate
OF the United States. Its friends in America,
however, look forward with more or less of hope
to thesday when the United States will, to quote
Hamilton Holt's words, become member in
"its own peculiar way" Mr.. Holt, by the way. can
see nothing of a super-govcrnment in the As
sembiy and Council, because of their impotence,
and expresses the hope that the Harding plan
may be a solution. We feel very confident
that Mr.. Harding's association of nations will
fall far short Of the requisite set by the league
champions for the reasoa that it, too, will lack
the power of enforcing decisions. More than
ever may be noted reluctance on part of ma
tions to resign control over their own affairs.
OF thirty-three that have signed the agreement
for the international court, established under
the league. only seven have accepted the proto-
col providing for compulsory jurisdiction.
When the conference called by the president
assemblies it will have distinct advantage
over the gathering at Paris, in that all the
world now is pretty we'll advised as to what
can not be accomplished At Paris the business
was the winding up Of a great war; vietors had
gathered to announce terms to the vanquished;
the best of motives did not wholly control the
counsels of those who framed the treaty. One
great idealist sat at the table, surrounded by
group whose eyes were fastened on certain
points Of national advantage. All subscribed
to the doctrine of perpetual. peace and amity.
to be~acheved through the application of the
Golden Rule, but the United States only sought
no advantage, no indemnity, no reparaton,
.lgerely peace. and a future secure from war.
At the Washington conference the specter
of Vengeance will not sit at the head of the
table; experience has shown that the whole cost
OF the war can not be shifted to the losing side.
Many things that bulked big at Paris have
dwindled even in the perspective Of two years. and
we now realize that mitch Of the animating
spirit Of that gathering has been dissipated by
second thought. Another meeting of the As
sembly Of the League OF Nations will ensue be-
fore the delegates meet at Washington, and
that too, will serve to clear the way of some
dreams and make the practical consideration of
world peace more easy of approach.
The men who will sit down at Washington
will be no less devoted to the abstract ideal Of
world peace than those who met at Paris, but
they will be less hampered in their consulta-
tions because they know now that nations are
not yet ready to surrender their identity to
achieve that ideal Disarmament is a practical
question, holding in its scope more than merely
matters Of military detail. Agreement on any
of its points is an approach to final settlement.
Therefore, the Washington conference, in its
l.. ~
met at Paris. When the Assembly gathers
again at Geneva in September, it will be to dis
cuss distractions, while the Harding council
will deal with the world as it is, in hope of fnd
ing path leading to what might be.