The state herald., 1921-01-04

since you have told us anything about
the World Club" Jack reminded his
uncle as they called Ruth and settled
themselves in front OF the fire for
bers been doing anything to bring
peace into the world, as lots of peo-
pie said they would Just as soon as
they had a meeting and laid their
plans?"
mo. they have not replied Uncle
Ted. II am glad you have spoken of
the World Club. because the first
meeting has just come to an end at
Geneva. Switzerland. The members
met on November 18th and elected
one of the Belgian delegates as pre-
siding officer. Then the discussion
began, and such time as they have
had of It. Almost everyone who
spoke found some fault with the cove
nant, which they were all sworn to
obey. and either urged some change
In 1t to suit the special interests OF
his country or else refused to be long
er bound by its terms. I am Just 60
ing to review briefly what happened
at the meeting, as 1t proves the wis
dom of our republican senators who
said that the world peace club was
really a world war club, and predict
ed that the members never could act
together when 1T meant the surrend-
er of any self-interest.
The meeting had been in session
only three days when II was voted
to organize World Club army. COM
posed of soldiers from England. Bel
GUM. France and Spain, and send 1t
to a place called wilma in the midst
of the bloody uprisings in Russia to
keep order while the people of that
city voted as to whether they should
become citizens of Lithuania or Po-
land. How would we like to have our
soldiers sent on such an errand, and
yet that is the very first thing they
would have been ordered to do had
the United States Joined the World
Club.
The next day. November 18th.
there was more trouble. A long note
was received from Germany protest.
ing against the way the more power
full members OF the club. like Eng
land and France, have been using the
former German colonies for their own
benefit. Under the World Club plan.
those colonies were to be protected
by the countries given charge of
them. and the natives taught to use
and enjoy what they produced. the
way people do In civilized nations.
But. Great Britain. In particular. has
sought to make herself rich ut the ex.
pense Of those new territories. The
other members OF the World Club
saw the justice Of the German COM
plant. and tried to review the ac-
tion by which most Of the colonies
had been given to England. France
and Japan. But those three coun.
tries refused to permit the forty or
more other members to have any.
thing to say about II and one Of the
most serious disputes OF the whole
meeting resulted; In fact. almost the
last things that were said were some
hot words passed between the Eng
lish delegate and the representatives
from some OF the smaller nations.
"onc OF the features OF the World
Club plan called upon all members
to stop raising armies and building
battlcships. yet one OF the Belgian
delegates. who is pacifst said that
he did not believe In such policy,
and urged that the World Club ap.
point general stan OF military men
to study the best ways to wage war.
He said he was convinced the World
Club would have to compel obedience
to It's commands by force OF arms.
Which. OF course, is exactly what re-
publican senators predicted would be
the case.
Some Of the members Of the World
Club did not take part In the Grca,
War but they did sign the club plan
which. In effect provides that all
members shall assist In enforcing the
treaty by which the war was ended.
Those neutral members protest
against taking part In that enforce
mont, but OF course they have signed
the plan and their complaints are too