The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1921-03-31
u. S, NOT SEEKING
ENEMIES

sustained attempt TO inveigle the
United States into chickering's of the
lOld World have taken new turn"
declares the Republican Publicity as
Isociation, through it's president. Hon.
Jonathan Bourne Jr. 1T is suggest
ed that America assume the role of
arbitrator in the situation that has
presented itself between Germany
land theallies over the question of
Preparations and the resultant occupa-
tion OF German territory. Just why
1.-THE United States should undertake
lsuch a delicate mission Is not appar-
emf from the point of view of its own
welfare Whatever Judgment might
be rendered. host of new enemies
to America would spring up. The
decision would necessarily be a com
promise--a retreat to some extent
iIOiH Tue utiudHuS ludI lHe allleS
haze steadfastly adhered to. Allied
Feeling against America would be In
proportion to the extent of that aban-
donment of principles for which their
Representatives have fought. Again
the compromise would put upon Ger
many obligations in excess of the
maximum sum she has indicated her
ability to pay. Hence an American
decision. should 1t be made. would
be denounced by Germany as well as
by the allies
But why is il a matter for arbi-
tration at all? There was war.
Germany was vanquished; practically
she surrendered Internationally. The
allies are the victors. They are en-
gagged in the business of debating
terms of peace to the losers The
United, States has no interest in
those terms so long as they do not
interfere with American rights; in
fact, so far as those terms are CON
cerned. the United States is in the
position of a neutral. It is new
suggestion in international relations
that neutral nation should take
ay part in the preparation of peace
terms resulting from war that has
been fought to a decision,
But suppose for the sake of ar
gument that a question exists that
il suitable for arbitration. Where is
the league of nations. and all the
machinery of the international court
that we are told some months ago
had been set up?. Now is the time
for the league and court to assert
their excuse for existence. But OF
course II is silly to expect either one
of those organizations to take a sin
gle step of its own violation. They
are energized into action only when
the Big Three or Four press the
button. And apparently II suits the
interests of those powers first to at
tempt to entangle the United States
! in their troubles.
Arbitration has a seductive sound
Ordinarily II connotes peace. an av.
oidance of conflict. and the diffusion
of brotherly love among all concern
ed. But the part the United States
. Is to be asked to play, according to
, reports. is no true arbitration. Nom
I inally il may be such, but really it'
' acceptance would involve this coun'
try anew in all the strife of Europe
! from which, at the present moment
: we are happily free. We seek nc
= part in directing the destines OF the
{ Old World We do not mean to bC
, entangled'
. Those were the words of Presi
i dent Harding when he assumed ofic'
and their sentiment should be as rig
idly adherd to in the face of an in
sidious invitation to arbitrate as Il
:. was followed by the Senate in re
!. jecting the covenant of the league o.
" nations"