Omaha daily bee., 1922-05-02
Bryan Declares
Harding Mistaken
Oh Genoa COnfab
Sends Letter To Executive
Urging That United States
Send Representative
Praises League.

AslnAuihs MaN if-4h Iehtet ~
rresiden, Harding made public
here last night, William Jennings
bryan urges that a Representative
" the United States be sen. 10 the
Genoa conference. not necessarily 10
bind this country 10 the conclusions
0i that conference. but 10 advise with
the nations OF Europe in an effort 10
bring abou, the rehabilitation OF the
world. Mr.. Bryan tells the presi-
dent Il was a national and inlefna-
iional calamity that the United States
did not enter the league OF nations,
the responsibility for which, he says.
rests about equally with the repub-
hcsns and democrats But the
mistakes Of the past" he adds,
should not prevent wiser action IN
the present and future
lie quotes from the speech Of
Lloyd George al Genoa, IN which
the British prime minister deplored
the absence OF the United States Al
the conference, aud adds: "lle
(lloyd George is dealing with a
very trying situation and he needs
the help OF the United States. II
would not hurt US 10 have a repre-
sentative there il he went empowered
TO advise only and with the UNDER
standing that our nation is not bound
by any conclusions reached, except
as our people, acting through con-
grcss and the president. or at rel
crendum. may expressly approve.
Calamity to Spurn League"
The failure OF the United States
10 enter the league OF nations was
national and International calamity.
the responsibility for which was di-
vided between the refusal OF rcpub-
licans TO ratify the covenant without
reservations and the refusal OF the
democrats TO ratify the treaty with
reservations. The covenant was SO
much more important than the res
crvations that il was unspcakablc
folly for either side to subordinate
the idea OF international cooperation
to the minor details about which
they differed.
The league permitted any nation
TO withdraw on two years notice. IL
the treaty had been accepted, with
out reservations, our nation could
have made its stay in the league de-
pendent upon such changes as it de-
sired.
Both Sides to Blame"
Likewise. il our nation had rati-
fed the treaty with reservations the
reservations could have been
changed afterwards. As it is, both
sides will share in history the shame
OF shirking 4 solemn responsibility.
But a mistake in the past should
not prevent wiser action in the pres
ent and future. 1t matters little
whether it is called a league OF ma
tions or an association of nations or
anything else. Our nation should
use its influence in aiding 10 secure
world peace. Lloyd George is right
when he says: America could exer-
else an influence no other country
could command She could come
here free and with the prestige which
comes from her independent position,
she would come with the voice OF
peace
Says Peace Was Possible.
what excuse can this nation give
before the final judgment bar for its
failure to respond to such call of
duty at such a time?
The day after the armistice was
signed Lloyd George announced that
the treaty of peace should inaugurate
en- earth the rule OF the Prince of
Peace and President Wilson submit
ted his approval Of the lofty senti-
mcnt. But the treaty of Versailles
did not inaugurate the reign of the |
Prince of Peace. The gaping wounds
and the hot blood, the spirit of re-
venge and the remembrance OF in
juries that had been inflicted OBJ
scurcd the path Of peace. The allies
lost golden opportunity to lay the |
foundation for an enduring peace In
friendship and cooperation. The
arms conference took step toward |
disarmament on sea, but it failed to
reduce land ornaments, without
which world peace is impossible.
Now the opportunity comes again.
the world is wiser--a wisdom that
has come. partly from reflection and
partly from clearer understanding
Of the conditions that bar progress
in any other direction. or along any
other line.
World Anthem Needed.
"Thc world has been wearing the
devils yoke and the devils burden
has become too heavy to be borne.
Christs yoke is not only easy, but
his burden is the only bearablc one.
The world needs an anthem in which
the world can join and there is no
other than the one that startled the
at Bethlehem: Peace on
Earth, Good Will Toward Men,
"The world must get back to God
and find its hope of reconstruction in
,hc promise OF universal brother
hood.
mir. President, you are a Chris
;ian and your sense of responsibility
to God must soon compel you to
an appeal to the estranged
nations to forget the past and. with
an eye single to the worlds future
welfare, begin the work of friendly |
in the upbuilding of
Europe. You made splendid Begin
ming in calling the arms conference,
hut what will its work avail ii Eu
rope is to become again slaughter
house? And how shall we escape,
made up as our population is of
he blood that will be mingled on
,attlefields, if Europe again beats
Ter plowshares into swords'
Begs President to Pray.
you are man of prayer, Mr..
President-you are the first president
10 include the Lords prayer in a |
public address; | beg you to turn
aside a moment from things eAclu-
~. .,,t,o,,t and a ell for yY,iT anre