The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-10-23
Frederick I askin's etc
League Of Nations a Work

Washington. D. c.. Oct. a.-K
the League Of Nations 10 success-
full in settling the perplsxing prob
lens which have arisen out OF the
near east situation. ~ seems not
improbable. this service will con-
stitute the ilrst one OF world sig
nificance undertaken and accom-
plished by that body. The league
has been 30 much the subject OF
partisan discussion In the United
States that It IL sometimes di6icult
for the American people 70 think
Of it a. q going concern. When
the treaty OF Versailles was mp for
ratification in the senate, the
League Of Nations was the princi-
pal bone Of contention. It resulted
finally In the defeat Of the treaty
and the American people have
dropped quite naturally into the
habit Of thinking that because the
United States repudiatsd the
league, there 10 no league.
This is quite company to the fact
The League Of Nations is IN bust
ness and 10 an active element in In
ternational affairs. True, it has
no official business with the Unit.
cd States because this country II
not a member, but many Other
countries are and there IL plenty
for the Organization to do. The
Turkish controversy furnishes an
opportunity to perform . really
big task. il it II capable. but the
years between the present crisis
; and the 1rst establishment of the
league hate not been idle.
The principal publicity whieA tn
League Of Nations has enjoyed on
this side Of the water in the last
two years has been In connection
with conferences. most Of whict
have been abortive. The greal
gatherings at Brussels and Genoa
have been partially under the au.
spices Of the league. These have
failed to accomplish definite OBJ
tectives. Meanwhile, however, th<
league has been plugging away a
routine joba and has been accom-.
plishing them. Little, publicity hal
attended these exploits >becsus<
they were for the most part Of 10
cal interest.
The purpose Of the league IL t
prevent international disputes from
simmering over q period Of year,
and eventually developing into war
Following is a brief outline Of whal
has been actually done in . Quie,
and businesslike way in the lasl
two or three years:
What Has Been Done.
The province of Upper Silesia
presented problems Of a vexed ma
Eture because Of conflicting aims o.
various races and nationaiities re.
siding within its borders and 'espe,
cially because Of the rich natural
products Of the land. The league
has taken up this question and il
a series of conferences has set.
tied amicably practically all the
disputed points. A few minor mat.
tiers remain under consideration
but are In a fair way to settle
ment. e
Lithuania and Poland, soon aft.
er their erection as natiouB, goi
into a boundary dispute and each
challenged the sovereignty OF the
other over certain territory. The
league has been at work on thi.
and reports substantial progress
hostile demonstrations having
ceased.
Albania complained to the league
that the Serb Croat-Slov4pe stat,
formerly Serbial was encroachin;
on her boundaries. This negotia
ton has been in progress for SOM
time, commission Of inquiry ha,
been at work and a program is be
ing worked out for the settlement
Of the dispute. Meantime, hostih
ties have ceased and the parties
have given evidence of being will
ing to await the decision of th,
league.
The first case to be completed,
and amicably settled by the leagu,
Is that relating to the Aalaud II
lands. These islands, located II
Baltic waters, are OF great STRAIT
egic importance and the leagu,
undertook . negotiation providiul
for their naturalization and non
fertilization. It will be remember
ed that the Island Of Heligoland
the great naval base which was no
even scratched during the war, wa
regarded by the allies Is 30 grim
threat that the treaty OF Versatile
provided for its demolition. Til
Aaland' Islands occupied SINH
lar strategic position. Sweden ha'