Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-30
Wednesday, November 80, 1921.
ASSOCIATION VS.. LEAGUE


Nations, it will not differ from the
League Of Nations"
So declares Senator Borah, pos
sibly with sincerity although his
really brilliant mind should be able
to comprehend the difference which.
Judging from what has appeared, Is
unmistakable. 1t is probable that
Borah's judgment is impaired by his
prejudice against international agree
ment in general and his pride wound
ed because he who introduced the
subject Of reduction of naval arma-
ments, is not able to figure in the de-
alterations. At least it is evident he
intends to take a prominent part
whenever the matter comes before
the Senate, as now seems likely. In
short, limitation of naval armament
probably will encounter serious de-
lays If Senator Borah has his way.
Now this suggestion for an associ-
alton Of nations is not an idea born Of
the present Conference. During his
campaign Mr.. Harding as candidate
definitely approved it, notwithstand
ing he incurred the charge Of insin-
cerity. There were those then who
declared an association would be but
another name for the League but
they were discredited. When the
candidate became President he did
not forget. He acted in accordance
with his promises and is doing so
now. Every day that passes affords
evidence that this country If it
wished, as most assuredly it does not,
to isolate itself is unable to do so.
In business we are suffering here be-
cause Europe is not able to buy our
products in the usual volume. We
are vitality interested that the for
eign countries shall as soon as pos
sible get on firm footing. All we'll
Informed persons realize that. Sen
Ator Borah cannot successfully deny
1t.
While we do not agree with many
who declare the last presidential
election demonstrated conclusively
that this country did not want any
league Of nations or anything ap-
preaching it-rather, we think, it
was shown that the country had lost
confidence in the way President Will
son had managed-we are convinced
the great majority have not arrived
at and possibly never will, the con-
clusion that we must join in an eff
fort to maintain a super-government
to keep the peace. We have thought
apprehension Of super-government
unduly emphasized, and experience
has shown that the good resolutions
with nothing to put them into effect
usually avail little, nevertheless sight
should not be lost of the evident
growth of the restraining power of
public sentiment. 1t is not so ham,
pered as in the days when the de-
crees of the Hague Tribunal were
f1outed. Far from it. Nor are the
foreign powers likely to hold in such
light esteem the public sentiment of
America, having experienced in the
war the tremendous factor it may be.
1t is, however, a somewhat hard
boiled old world yet, prone to be in
different to sentiment, sordidly en-
crossed in grubbing along. Senti-
ment is exposed and often unprotect.
ed against malign influences and
needs the same eternal vigilance as
liberty requires.
1t is encouraging to bear in mind
that it has been largely instrumental
in bringing the leaders of the world
into conference at Washington: that
it stands behind the idealistic pro-
proposal Of Secretary Hughes and
demands that this step toward dis
armament shall be taken; that what
it has done it may do. II it shall
succeed there will have been made
the most notable demonstration Of
the effectiveness of public sentiment
properly directed that the world has
ever seen. Given an association 0f
nations meeting regularly and by
reason of its existence, if for no
other reason, calling attention to in
ternational problems and throwing
light on the moral aspects Of those
problems the influence Of public
opinion may be made tremendously
affective. There will not be the in
ducement super-government would
offer to refer matters to that and for
get about them. And IL. later, 1t
shall appear necessary to establish
Some medium Of police regulation
ever international affairs we will all
be better fitted to provide that which
may be found requisite.
For the present there appears no
fenable ground ON which to base the
conclusion that an association of ma
fions N. now proposed will be Z