The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-04-21
Welfare of Ex-serviee Men

ana practlcal way TO its defenders
in the world war, who need the sup
porting arm Of the government Our
very immediate concern is for the
crippled soldiers and those deeply
needing the helping hand of govern
ment Conscious of the generous in
tent of congress, and the public con-
Germ for the crippled and dependent,
/ invited the services of a volunteer
committee to inquire into the admin
istration OF the bureau OF war risk
insurance, the federal board for vo-
cational training and other agencies
OF government in caring for the ex-
soldiers, sailors and marines of the
world war. This committee prompt
ly reported the chief difficulty to be
the imperfect organization of govern
mental efforts, the same lack of CO.
ordination which binders government
efficiency in many undertakings, less
noticed because the need for prompt
service is less appealing.
! The immediate extension and util-
1Zation of the government hospital
facilities in army and navy will bring
relief to the acute conditions most
complained of, and the hospital build
ing program may be worked out to
meet the needs likely to be urgent
at the time of possible completion.
! During the recent political canvass
the proposal was made that a depart
ment of public welfare should be ere
ated. 1t was Endorsed and commend
ed so strongly that | venture to call
II to your attention and to suggest
favorable legislative consideration.
Should Put End to Lynching.
Somewhat related to the foregoing
human problems is the race question
Congress ought to wpe the stain of
barbaric lynching from the banners
OF free and orderly representative
democracy. We face the fact that
many millions of people of African
descent are numbered among our
population, and that in a number of
states they constitute a very large
i, proportion of the total population.
| Won't Discard Agencies for Defense.
1t is needless to call your attention
to the unfinished business inherited
from the preceding congress. The
appropriation bills for army and
| navy will have your early considera-
ton
Our Foreign Foley.
Nearly two and a half years ago
| the world war came to an end, and
yet we find ourselves in the technical
state OF war. though actually at
peace, while Europe is at technical
peace far from tranquility and lit
tie progress toward the hoped for
restoration.
1t i'll becomes US to express impa-
tience that the European belligerents
! are not yet in full agreement, when
we ourselves have been unable to
bring constituted authority into &C
/ cord in our own relations to the for
mally proclaimed peace. Little avails
in reciting the causes of delay in
! Europe or our own failure to agree.
| But there is no longer excuse for IN
| certainty respecting some phases of
our foreign relationship. In the ex-
/ listing League of Nations, world gov
erning with its super powers this re-
| public will have no part. There can
| be no misinterpretation and there
will be no betrayal of the deliberate
! expression of the American people in
| the recent election; and, settled in
/ our decision for ourselves. ii is only
/ fair to say to the world in general,
and to our associates in war in par
| ticular, that the league covenant can
] have no sanction by US.
The aim to associate nations to
prevent war. preserve peace and pro-
| mote civilization our people most cor
/ daily applauded.
| We yearned for this new instru-
ment of justice, but we can have no
| part in a committal to any agency OF
! force in unknown contingencies we
/ can recognize no super authority.
Purpose of League Defeated.
Manifestly, the highest purpose of
the League of Nations was defeated
| in linking it with the treaty of peace
and making it the enforcing agency
| of the victors of the war. Interna-
tional association for permanent
/ peace must be conceived solely as an
I IN ar Of
| ted with the passions of yesterday,
and not so constituted as to attempt
/ the dual functions of a political IN
| strument of the conquerors and of
! an agency of peace. There can be
no prosperity for the fundamental
purposes sought to be achieved by
any such association so long as it
is an organ of any particular treaty.
or committed to the attainment of
the special aims OF any nation or
: group of nations.
Rights Must Be Asserted.
We must not allow our vision to be
! impaired by the conflict among our
| selves. The WEAKNESS at home and
the disappointment to the world have
| been compensated in the proof that
this republic will surrender none of
her heritage of nationality. but our
! rights in international relationship
! tablishment in compacts of amity;
our part in readjustment and restora-
/ ton cannot be ignored and must be
| defined.
More, no helpful society of nations
can be founded on justice and COM
mitted to peace until the covenants
reestablishing peace are sealed by
the nations which were at war. To
/ such accomplishments the com
MI III To-,
its contracted relationship. to the
| realization of our inspira tons for
/ nations associated for world helpful
ness. without world government, fol
world stability on which humanity's
hopes are founded. we shall address
ourselves. fully mindful of the high
privilege and the paramount duty OF
the United States in this critical per
! iod of the world