Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-11-15

sentful of this course, or at least cool
to any further proposals from us. They
might well have replied as to the Wash
ington conference that they had been
trying for two years to do what we pro-
posed to do now, and that they had been
greatly handicapped by our inaction or
obstruction. They might have added also,
that they felt no gertrude that we would
ratify agreements which We might sign.
They might indeed have taken this
! viewpoint with a logic that would be
altogether human; but the fact is that
they did not. They understand. even If
they deplore. che political confusion
which has held the United States helpless
internationally for the three critical
years since the armistice. and they well
come the new step which bids to fair to
set America back on the path Of normal
relationships with the rest of the world.
They are coming with every intention
Of making America realize that interna-
tional cooperation is worth while and that
they are not wrong when they say that
some system Of permanent conference and
organization is in the highest interests Of
peace.
LEAGUE MEMBERS
AT CONFERENCE TABLE.
Specifically it might be expected that
those officials who have built up the
League of Nations would be resentful
at what might easily be interpreted as a
rival conference America should realize
that whether or not she is in the league,
it is the statesmen who have conferred at
Geneva who will gather around her table
ai Washington. Mr.. Van Karnebeck.
president Of the leagues second assem-
dc ba Tlr
Koo, president Of the leagues council,
and Dr.. Wang, an associate judge OF
the leagues permanent court of interna-
tional justice, are on the Chinese dele
ton; Mr.. Balfour, who is regarded as
one Of the strongest league men in Eu-
rope. heads the British delegation Mt
Viviani, who has played a leading role
at league meetings, is second to NJ.
BRAND on the French delegation, and
Mr.. Schanzer. who dominated the league
disarmament work at Geneva, is the
head Of the Italian delegation. while Sen
ator Albertini, a strong league exponent,
is also member. In addition to these,
there are IN the delegations a dozen
other less important people who are con-
nected with the league.
1t is to the credit of these distinguished
men that one and all &C them, instead
Of being actuated by a spirit Of small
ness toward the Washington conference,
are heart and soul in favor of its sue
cess. They do not consider 1t a rival
meeting in any sense, but meeting
aimed to help carry out the very pur-
poses for which the league was created.
Consequently insofar as loyalty to the
league may actuate them, they will work
whole heartedly for the accomplishment
of its objects.
The logic of this attitude is easy to
demonstrate If the conference succeeds
it Will remove some of the causes of fic-
ton in the Far East. make a start to-
ward reduction of ornaments. and. above
all, encourage the idea of international
conferences and cooperation. Not only
will the specific results be important, but
1t will be demonstrated to America that
n policy Of isolation ia unwise and that
she can safely and advantageously meet
with the other nations. In other words,
success viii help destroy the DOGGY that
international association means the Gre
alton of a super destructive of
Americas sovereignty.
EUROPE ANXIOUS FOR
SUCCESS OF FARLEY.
On the other hand, failure would mean
that Americas distrust would increase
that she might draw more and more to
herself; that she might enter upon an
armament program which would mean
ruin for the rest of the world and Grip
pie all those ideals and principles which
we hope may substitute law for force in
international affairs. None of the men
from Europe particularly those who have
seen these impulses working out; in the
League of Nations, doubts the truth of
this statement. Europe. therefore, and
above all those who come to Washington
from Geneva. hope and pray that the
conference here may succeed.
Fortunately, this feeling of good will
and optimism is reciprocated in RESPONSE
BILE qua rters in Washington The off,
cial policy of the United States toward
the association Of fifty-one states com
posing the League Of Nations has appar-
emily softened in recent weeks. Instead
Of an almost open hostility toward the
league, it is now felt that the administra-
ton believes that it is valuable agency
for Europe at least. and desires it to live
and continue TO function.
Consequently, with Europe, and partic-
ularly league officials In Europe coming
to the conference in a spirit of optimism.
there will be cooperation of all agencies
attempting to remove the causes of war.
There will be no attempt TO force the
league issue into the conference, for there
is no wish to prejudice the situation by
again precipitating it into the center of
the arena. The Washington conference is
the United States conference. and will
cheerfully be left so by the invited powers
Copyright, 1921, by Public Ledger Com
pany.