The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-04-22

subjects, the government has already
undertaken considerable range of ac-
tivities. assume the maternity bill,
already strongly approved, will be en-
acted promptly, thus adding to our
manifestation of human interest. But
these undertakings have been scat
tered through many departments and
bureaus without coordination and with
much overlapping of functions which
fritters energies and magnifies the
cost. ... &c.,.
Riehts of States.
In creating such a department 1t
should be made plain that there is no
purpose to invade fields which the
states have occupied. In respect to
eduCation for example, control and adj
mjnistration have rested with the
states, yet the federal government has
always aided them. National appro-
priations in aid of educational pur-
poses the last fiscal year were no less
than $65,000,000.
Halt Lynchings.
Somewhat related to the foregoing
human problems is the race question.
Congress ought to wipe the stain of
barbaric lynching from the banners Of
a free and orderly, representative
democracy. We face the fact that
many millions of people of African de-
scent are numbered among our popu-
lation, and that in a number of states
they constitute a very large proportion
of the total population. 1t is unneces-
sary to recount the difficulties incident
to this condition, nor to emphasize the
fact that it is a condition which can
not be removed.
Appropriation Bills.
It is needless to call your attention
to the unfinished business inherited
from the preceding congress. The ap-
preparation bills for army and navy
will have your early consideration.
Neither branch of the government
can be unmindful of the call for re-
duced expenditure for these depart
ments of our national defense. The
government is in accord with the wish
to eliminate the burdens of heavy
armament. The United States ever
will be in harmony with such move
ment toward the higher attachments of
| peace.
Need of Defense.
| But we shall not entirely discard
| our agencies for defense until there is
removed the need to defend. We are
ready to cooperate with other nations
| to approximate disarmament, but
merest prudence forbids that we dis
arm alone.
The naval program, which had its
beginning in what seemed the highest
assurance of peace, can carry no threat
after the latest proof of our national
unselfishness. The reasonable limita-
ton of personnel may be combined
with economies of administration to
! lift the burdens of excessive outlay.
The war department is reducing the
personnel of the army from the maxi
mum provided by law in June, 1920, to
the minimum directed by congress In
subsequent enactment. When further
reduction is compatible with national
security, it may well have the sane
ton of congress, so that a system OF
voluntary military training may offer
to our young manhood the advantages
of physical development, discipline and
commitment to service and constitute
the army reserve in return for the
training,
End of the War.
Nearly two and a half years ago
the World war came to an end, and yet
we find ourselves today in the tech
meal state of war, though actually at
peace, while Europe is at technical
peace, although far from tranquility
and little progressed toward the hoped
for restoration.
1t i'll becomes us to express impa'
thence that the European belligerents
are not yet in full agreement, when we
ourselves have been unable to bring
constituted authority into accord in
our own relations to the formally pro-
claimed peace.
Rejects the League.
Little avails in reciting the causes
of delay in Europe on our own failure
to agree. But there is no longer ex-
cuse for uncertainties respecting some
phases of our foreign relationship. In
the existing league of nations, world
governing with its super powers, this
republic will have no part. There can
be no misinterpretation and there will
be no betrayal of the deliberate ex'
preston of the American people in
the recent elections and settled in our
decision for ourselves, It is only fail
to say to the world in general, and To
our associates in war in particular
that the league covenant can have nc
sanction by us.
The aim to associate nations to pre-
vent war, preserve peace and promote
civilization our people most cordially
applauded. We yearned for this new
instrument Of justice, but we can have
no part in a committal to an agency OF
force in unknown contingencies; WI
can recognize no super authority.
Manifestly the highest purpose Of
the league of nations was defeated IL
linking it with the treaty of peace anC
making it the enforcing agency Of the
victors of the war. International as
ISOLATION for permanent peace must BIZ
conceived solely as an instrumentality
of justice, unassociated with the pas
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