The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1921-12-07
EDITORIAL
KEEP ON. MIR. PRESIDENT!

Disarmament without a world government
strong enough to guarantee justice and peace
means the suicide Of the white race.
There can be no half-hearted prosecution of
peace any more than Of war Liberty finds sane
tuary not in helplessness but in ordered strength
Ii il for this reason that The Dispatch favors
disarmament fortified by a supergovernment
which will, with the United States playing lead
ing role in its administration, effectively uphold
law and order and protect national rights.
President Harding has quickened the hopes Of
the world with his disarmament proposals and the
response on the part Of the other nations has
been highly encouraging. 1t now remains for the
next STEP which cannot be dispensed with, to be
taken That step is the creation Of complete,
functioning and effective League Of Nations which
will make it possible for the nations to enjoy the
fruits of peace without being constantly menaced
by uncivized races made powerful through the
lisarming of the civilized world.
This is a gigantic undertaking. fraught with
infinite possibilities for costly plumbers as well as
for MASTERY leadership 1t is a task more daring
than any that man has ever before set himself
to. For that reason it is natural that progress
will have to be made slowly and the way felt
out with care.
Nevertheless, the goal shines ahead for the
nations. They must have three-phase govern
ment somewhat like our own with its legislative
system representing the nations probably accord
ing to their actual rather than their numerical
strength There will have to be judicial system
which will pass upon actions in their relation to
the terms of agreement at the foundation of the
League and also in relation to the legislative en-
actments of the representative body. There will,
of necessity, be an executive branch to carry for
ward the work of the organization.
The task will be in such a world government,
belonging to it. This will require skill in the
framing of the League and vigilance when it gets
into operation.
Such program, while far from governmental
bed of roses, is vastly more practical and work
able than would be any plan based on series of
mutually suspicious alliances or a return to the
cut-throat, warbreeding, ry-nation-for-itselfl
policy. There are difficulties in formulating al
world government, towering difficulties, we might
as well admit that at the outset and be prepared
TO face them. However, they are not as serious
as those which already confront the world under
the still lingering system of competitive anna
ment, secret treaties and diplomatic intrigue.
Aside from the strictly political aspects of the
League, it would be of great commercial value
in that it would eventually harmonic world
markets. create and utilize stable medium of /
exchange and would do away with the thousand
and one barriers to industry which feverish ma
tOnalism erects.
Mr.. Harding has assumed splendid task, that
Of carrying on the plan laid down by his illus
trious predecessor, Woodrow Wilson, and he must
not falter, he cannot falter now
Keep on, Mr.. President. Take all of the time
that the seriousness Of the undertaking requires.
Make no false steps, but, nevertheless, push
straight ahead
DISARMAMENT MADE SAFE BY A LEA
CUE OF NATIONSl
This was Woodrow Wilson's plan. better
one cannot be adopted