New-York tribune., 1921-08-13

The World Congress

1IIc vVOTlQ AOIlSICSS
At first talk was merely of dis
armament conference; we get some
thing bigger and better. 1t wears
the gracious aspects of world con-
gress-a general parliament to con-
slider the whole international prob
lem and to sharpen an ak to strike
at the roots of war.
Under the wise apd developing
leadership Of President Harding and
Secretary Hughes this country and
the world have been wooed away
from the wrangles that marked the
proceedings at Paris and wrecked
for time the great hope of man
kind. But the work is to be taken
up where it was left unfinished.
The banner which fell, partly be-
cause intrusted to incompetent
hands and partly because rashly
pushed forward when minds were
engrossed by the details of par
ticular peace, is af1oat once more.
The President meant something
when, preceding his election, he
spoke of his purpose to promote an
association of nations. Step by step,
stone by stone, removing the results
of past mistakes, a new foundation
has been firmly laid. 1t is not easy
to keep language in due restraint
when speaking of the masterly skill
of Secretary Hughes.
It will. be noted that the call for
the conference is not only broad
enough to make germane a discus
sion of the whole international prob
lem, but that the invitations go out
to only four nations. With ourselves
there will be plenary council of
five. Most wisely is the conference
thus select.
The power of the world is at pres
ent with five, not with ten or
twenty or fifty; and as the only way
to secure peace is to link power and
righteousness it follows, that only
the nations thus doubly endowed are
properly summonable. Germany and
Russia are not summoned because of
lack of one of the essentials of eligi-
bility and Brazil and Argentina be-
cause Of lack of the other. Neither
wickedness nor powerlessness is en-
titled to make vital decisions.
1t is good to have the five nations
made by events the trustees Of
mankind openly face their RESPONSE
bilities. No good has come from
schemes which have disregarded
facts. Such facing of response
bility, of course, implies no purpose
to abuse power. On the contrary,
every nation must know that if its
cause is worthy it is sure of justice
The program sketched by Secre-
tary Hughes is pertinent to present
conditions. 1t is also in accord with
the deepest Americansm. What was
the Republic founded for? Not
merely to safeguard our own people,
but to be an example, we hoped, to
the world. When we were weak we
stood apart to give our nation a
chance to mature. Now that we are
full-statured aloofness is contrary
to American ideals. We have always
wished to have our light shine. A
proselyting spirit urged US on to our
great experiment, and Americas in
fluence, with few faIlings away, has
gone to promoting peace organiza-
tions, to harmonic international law
to establish arbitration and world
courts.
What the conference will be able
to achieve, Of course, cannot be pre-
dicted at this time. 1t may be as
sumed that it will not seek to set ur
systematized international cstab.
lishment.
This is not to be regretted AS the
spirit counts for everything and ma
tional liberty Of action must be pre-
! served, the peace pledges inter
changed may we'll be kept in whole
some indefniteness, with no precise
agreement except as to disarmament
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