The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-13

national unselfishness. The reasonable limitation of personnel may be com oIned with economics of administration to lift the burdens of excessive outlay.
 The war department Is reducing tho personnel of the army from the maxi- mum provided by law In June. 1890, to the minimum directed hy Congress in & subsequent enactment. fur ther reduction Is compatible with national security. and 1t may well have the sanction of Congress 20 that system of voluntary military training may offer to our young manhood the advantages of physical development discipline and commitment to service, and constitute the army reserve In re- turn for the training.
 NO LEAGUE FOR US
 Nearly two and a half years age the World war came to an end, and yet we find ourselves today In the tech cal state of war. though actually at peace. while Europe is at technical peace, far from tranquility and little prog ressed toward the hoped-for res- toration.
 l It III becomes us to express impa- tience that the European beliigerents are rot yet in full agreement when we ourselves have been unable to bring constituted authority into ac> cord in our own relations to the for- mally proclaimed peace.
 Little avails in reciting the cause of delay in Europe or our own failure to agree. But there Is no longer ex- cuse for uncertainties respecting some phases of our foreign relationship. In the existing League of Nations, world governing with it's super-powers, this republic will have no part There can ! be no misinterpretation, and there will be no betrayal of the deliberate ex- pression of the American people in the recent election: and, settled in our de- cis:on for ourselves, 1t Is only fair to say to the world in general and to our associates in war in particular. that the league covenant can have no sane ton by us.
 The aim to associate nations to pre- vent war, preserve peace and promote civilization, our people moot cordiail, ,apI,lauded. We yearned for this new instrument of justice. but we can have of force In unknown contingencies I've can recognize no super er-authority.
 PURPOSE DEFEATED
 Manifestiy the highest purpose oi the League of Nations was defeated lin linking it with the treaty of peace and making 1t the enforcing agency of the victors of the war. Interna- tional association for permanent peace must be conceived solely as an instru- kmeptaiity of justice. unassociated witf, the passions of yesterday. and not 50 constituted as to attempt the dual functions of a political instrument of the conquerors and of peace. There can be no prospects for the funda- mental purposes sought to be achieved by any such association so long as fl is an organ of any particular treaty or committed to the attainment of ths special gaims of any nation or group of nations.
 | The American aspiration, indeed, the world aspiration. was an association of nations, based upon the application of justice and right, binding us in con. ference and cooperation for the pre-, vention of war and pointing the way to higher civilization and interna- ticnai fraternity Tn which all tho world might share. In rejecting tht league covenant and utterfng that re. lection to our own people and to ths world, we make no surrender of oui hope and aim for an association tc promote peace in which we would .nos' heartily join. We wish it to be con ceived in peace and dedicated to peace and will relinquish no effort to bring the nations of the world into such fe1
 lowship. not in the surrender of na' tional sovereignty. but. rejoicing In ! uobler exercise of 1t in the advance ment of human activities, amid tn,