The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-05-17
An EMrSENrLy SOUND DECISION.

The decision Of tho Washington government
10 reject the Invitation to attend The Hague con-
ference is omlncntly sound. Tho promptnoss
with which the governments decision for
mulatcd and announced adds much strength 20
that decision. It should be notice to European
statesmen that this government Is alert to mo-
tvos and Is not 10 be again imposed upon.
Tho wisdom OF Mr.. Hughes decision to re-
main away from Genoa has been amply demon
straicd. Tho very TACT that the other nations
represented thore were unable TO agree except
Ing In their regret that wo we're not officially
present Is proof enough OF what It would have
cost us had we been prcscnt-of our wisdom in
remaining absent.
Only the crudest mind could have thought
that tho process Of adJournlng tho Genoa and
calling Tho Hague conference would induce
Washington to take tho bait And the subtcrfuge
employed docs not constitute mucn OF tribute
to tho intelligence OF our statesmen.
The United statos IL not far enough away
from tho European political arena. IT is true
that wo have made some progress In tho right
direction. but not untll troops are out Of
Germany and every vcstge OF direct touch with
that caldron OF racial hate and ambitious rivalry
broken. will we be in n comfortable position.
Tho continued talk about tho United states
accepting world leadership s highly mischle-
vlous. and springs from minds theoretical and
idchlistc that they are incapable Of recogniz-
ing tho dangers that lurk In the sordd schemes
which underlIe every such invitation.
our adventure into world leadership cost us
billions OF dollars and almost countless enemies.
VIII someone kindly point to a single figure on
the credit side Of the ledger7 The desire TO
have tho United states assume world leader
ship comes from abroad and has for its main
spring the desire 10 secure access to tho re-
sources Of this nation. Did the United States
accept this ceverly camouflaged bait It would
speedily find that II did not enjoy world lead
orshlp but was under obligations which II could
only with tho gravest difficulty avoid.
what sort OF leadership did the United states
enjoy at Versailles? Read in the Intimate re-
ports of that greatest of all International hy-
pocrisles the certain truthl The United states
delegation was subjected TO influences that
gradually squeezed all sense OF nationalism
from its conception; II was caioled and
accused by turns; II was praised for Its
magnanlmity one day then charged With Grim
inal selfshness on the next wnen they evil
denccd n dislnclination to throw into q world
] pot the resources OF It's country. Always
the purpose OF the European statesmen has been
to completely shatter the traditional policy OF
isolation which was the great geographical and
| political fact and advantage recognized by those
| who gave this republic being.
II is not world leadership European states
| men offer the United states; It is a mere title
| which carries with Il tho certain entrance OF
| Uncle sam Into game where he Is alone and
subject to tho rule OF the majority What. let
| 1t be asked. would he tho condition OF affairs
should the United States enter the old d-world
councils in pursuit OF this world leadership,
and there find himself compelled TO make n
decision as he would he. in direct opposition to
the wishes OF all other statesmen? He would
face world In rebellion Instead of n world in
| obedience.
MOI It is fallacy. this talk OF world leader
ship. The influence of the United States Ia tre-
mendously greater with II absent from Genoa
or The Hague than would be the case II Il were
present There Is but one difficulty In the world
economic condition.; that Is Europe's desire 10
gain advantage without work THROUGH THE
pENEFAcTIoNs or THE UNITED STATES
When European statesmen compose their
own affairs and 30 back TO the foundation and
build up, as they must inevitably do sooner or
later. economic conditions will begin 10 hea'
themselves In the meantime Uncle sam 4,
doing his very beet and nobest part by mindlns
his own business, remaining out Of the con.
troversics save whore his interests directly i'm.
rlnso upon the International dispute and even
then acting for himself and in support OF prln.
ciples that arc detensble under all circum
stances and conditions