Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-10-06
Another War Averted
-HE League Of Nations again has proved
it's efficacy as q conserver Of peace.


it's efficacy as q conserver Of peace.
a Some weeks ago when Albania and
her neighbors came to the crisis OF long
vexed boundary dispute Balkan war seemed
imminent. Battles have been fought over
lesser issues. In the present instance bitter
ness, no doubt, would have reached the ex-
plosive point, had not the League stepped In
with its cooling counsels. First Serbia and
Greece, and then Albania, agreed to arbitra-
ton. Impartial judges will hear all sides OF
the case, will make Investigation OF their
own, and after due reflection will render
decision which as likely as not may be more
satisfactory to all disputants than "ny Of
them once imagined possible. At the least
there will be season Of thoughtful waiting
which will aHay passion and give the more
temperate elements in all the countries an
opportunity to assert themselves.
AS deterrent alone the Leagues influence
against war will become well-n1gh decisive as
1t continues to grow in the respect and favor
OF nations. II the worlds moral forces had
been sufficiently organized in 1914 to have
constrained the Central Powers to submit the
case against Serbia to international consid-
Grafton, instead OF plungins headlong into
violence, the most costly and altogether ter
rible war of history might easily have been
averted. When heads grow hot and nStS are
cIenched, reason rarely gets hearing. But
If an atmosphere of@truth-seeking and truth
telling can be created, there Outlines Will De
found on both sides OF the issue enough lair
minded men to work out a pacific settlement.
And once fairly established as world
precedent, this good method will grow con-
tinually more effective, until at last 1t WILL pc
an customary to settle international as 1t Is
now individual differences, by due process
Of law. =.
This is the third sea OF troubled waters
on which the League has poured its calming
influence III the course of the year. Sweden
and Finland were bristling for battle over
: the Aland Islands, when the international
peacemaker tactfully interviewed. The cause
in controversy was reduced from poEtlcal
and militaristic to judicial terms; months or
quiet interviewed, giving jingoes on either
side pause; and when finally decision was
rendered it was accepted by Sweden in the
best Of temper and the best of faith, not
withstanding that she was keenly disap-
pointed Equally serviceable were the
Leagues good offices in the delicate and
dangerous issue over Upper Silesia. The ar
gument in this case was not simply between
Poland and Germany but also between Eng
land and France. the latter contending that
the Polish claims were quite valid, the
former contrariwise. For months London
and Paris tried to compose the difference,
but without avail. Italy added her voice to
England's, but France and Poland remained
unpersuaded. So persistent en- issue among
the Allies themselves might have resulted in
unhappy arrangements IL lot more serious
lys UuL 1oi IAS OsoA -Ao"~aaa5 A0eooA1SAAs 70
the League of Nations. All parties agreed to
refer the disturbing question to the League
and to abide by it's decision. Just what
will be the outcome is yet to appear; but
time for cool thinking and pacifying devel-
opments has been gained. Without an es-
tablished agency authorized and prepared to
exert this influence, the controversy might
well have gone from smoke to flame. These
instances, together with It's more recent
service in the Balkans, attest the Leagues
practical worth to the great cause Of peace
and international co-working.