Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-08-30
DOOR To LEAGUE IS
|RREvOCABLy SHUT
BY UNITED STATES
What Will Become of League
With America Out, Is the
Question of the Moment
Now
BY ROBERT r. SMALL
Ieased Wire Service to The Journal.)
DOWNRIGHT 1921

Copyright, 1921
WASHINGTON, Aug. 27-By the
publication Of the terms of the sep
arate treaty Of peace with Germany
the United States has notified the
world of it's final and irrevocable
rejection Of the League Of Nations
now functioning in the old world.
The question arises, therefore, as
to what is to become Of the league
Will the South American republics
continue their adherenceto the organ
ization set up under the covenant of
Versailles, knowing that the United
States, their big brother Of the north,
by official declaration, will not be
bound by any action of the League
Of Nations or by the council or by
the assembly thereof"
There still Is the loophole that If
the league should do anything of
which this nation approves, then as
sent may be expressly given to such
action.
But all hope which has persisted
in Europe that in the final negotia-
tion of a peace treaty with Germany
the United States might be induced
to become part and parcel Of the
League of Nations must dissolve in
the light of the printed terms Of the
new agreement with the German gov
eminent.
Heretofore the foreign policies Of
the South American and Central
American countries have been almost
universally linked with those of the
United States. This was shown when
the United States declared a state
of war with Germany. Virtually all
of the republics Immediately cast
their lot with the allies and the
Might Be Embarrassing
1t would seem as clear as any
thing in modern diplomacy can be
stated, that the United States has
served further notice upon the world
that it will brook no interference by
Of the western hemisphere. In these
circumstances it would appear that
the Latin-American countries might
find some embarrassment in contin-
lions Of a league whose activity in
the very nature Of things must be
limited to European and possibly to
Asiatic affairs.
This embarrassment may prove
particularly acute in the case Of Bra
league. A place has been held open
on the council for representative
of the United States, but the new
treaty arrangement between WASH
ington and Berlin closes the door for
possible participation by this coun-
try.
AS matter Of fact, affairs in re-
spect to America and the league are
working out just as many persons
hoped they would at the time the
war was concluded. There was gen.
eral approval of the suggestion that
a vi nf f1n old world chn1116
form an association to try to pre-
vent wars in the future. There also
was a general feeling that the United
States should continue to act as ar
bitter in matters affecting North and
South America, while standing ready
at all times to lend it's moral sup
port and physical assistance If neces-
sary in time of need to any group
Of European nations whose cause
might be just.
To all intents and purposes this
is the position of President Harding
and Secretary Hughes today.
1t can be stated anew that there
is no intention in the mind Of Ell
Their these two distinguished officials
to organize a new association of ma
tions in opposition to the league.
They are perfectly willing and glad
to have the league continue to func-
ton in connection with affairs In the
OLD world. And they. are willing that
the United States shall continue in
association with all the nations of
the world, ready to act with them
at any time that civilization may be
threatened or the cause of liberty
imperilled..
In President Harding's view there
is a vast difference between contin-
ued and cordial association with the
nations Of the world and an Ameri-
can entry into an association Of the
nations. He feels that America will
always do the right thing; that, she
else, and that it is not necessary to
bind the United States in the fet-
ters of an organization like the
League of Nations to assure her car
rying out her full duty and purpose
as the greatest nation in the world.
For purposes Of association with
the nations of the world, the presi-
dent has authorized the attendance
of an American representative at
the allied supreme council, for he
contact between Europe and the Unit
ed States. He has recognized this
fact anew in authorizing American
representation at the meeting Of the
nations in Paris the coming week
to decide upon the best means Of
lief of Russia.
There is rather an interesting point
in this. The European nations have
objected strenuously to the United
States acting independently in Rus
STA. They feel they have interests in
Russia which might be prejudiced by
Independent American action.
The Washington government in eff
feet has recognized the correctness
OF the European position and is es-
tablishing another precedent against
permitting Europe to interfere in any
way on this side Of the Atlantic.