New-York tribune., 1922-12-05
Clemeneeau and the League


Il seems to us an unmixed bless
ing that Georges Clemenceau Is in
America and is speaking right out
in meeting.
For months now Wilsonites and
anti-Wilsonites, pro-leaguers and
anti-leaguers have been sitting
silently glaring across the aisle. II
some Of the vituperation Of the
postwar period has ceased, most Of
the bitterness has remained. All this
Is q fine thing for hate, but II is a
very bad thing for America and for
the world.
The bitter-enders on both sides
were instantly resentful Of VI.
Clemenceau's candor. They fired of
all their guns at the sound Of the
first shot and without waiting TO
see whether anybody was hit, there
by demonstrating how much a mat
ter Of emotion and personal raneor
and how little a matter Of reason
their opinions were.
The Tribune has never held with
either extreme, and II does not hold
with either extreme now. Touching
the question Of American participa-
ton in European affairs it considers
that Senator Borah is quite as ride
ulous as is "The New York World"
Il is confident that the great ma
jority Of the American people want
neither extreme. They voted hell-bent
against entering a league that so
much as squinted at a military obi
CATION. They would vote with equal
enthusiasm against any Admins
tration that attempted 70 isolate
America from all participation in
foreign affairs.
NJ. Clemenceau will see Mr.. Hard
ing at Washington, among others,
and he will find a sympathetic
listener for his clear-headed ideas.
About the greatest nonsense that is
uttered is that which represents the
present Administration as isolation
ist. AS matter Of plain record it
is not too much 20 say that Mr..
Harding has actually accomplished
more toward the betterment Of in
telnational understanding than any
President in the history Of America.
The four power pact has brought
peace to the Pacific The three lead
ing naval powers have ceased their
race for ornaments. Such a regional
understanding as that which the
Central American powers are now
debating in Washington offers con-
crete hope Of a formula for the
reduction Of land armaments. Here
is definite accomplishment, progress
gained, eodifed and operating.
The problem Of Europe remains.
Secretary Hughes has already an
nounced that arrangements are in
hand which will soon permit Amer
lea 10 enter fully into the court Of
arbitration set up under the League
Of Nations covenant. When this
step Is completed one-haf Of the
American program for international
organization will have been accom-
plished, and that, if one looks 70
permanent and farreaching results,
by no means the less important. Let
us go back to that plank in the Re-
publican platform Of 1920 upon
which Mr.. Harding was elected. It
read:
The Republican party stands for
an agreement among the nations 70
preserve the peace Of the world. We
believe that such en- international
ASSOCIATION must be based upon in
ternttional justice and must provide
methods which shall maintain the
rule Of public right by the develop
ment Of law and the decision Of
impartial courts. and which shall
secure instant and general intsrna-
tional conference whenever peace
shall be threatened BY political ae-
ton, 90 that the nations pledged 20
do and insist upon what is just and
fair may exercise their influence and
power Cor the prevention Of war"
Given courts TO develop the basis
of international justice, there re-
mains the problem Of an "associa-
tion" 70 Secure instant and gen.
eral international conference when
ever peace shall be threatened
". Clsmenceau suggests shat the
League Of Nations can be so re-
made as 70 lose all favor Of mill
tary alliance, II Is interesting to
note that the French name, $50
citt6.7 for the league looks in this
direction. But the matter is, Of
course, more fundamental than any
name. Perhaps, TOO, II is advisable
that Europe shall retain a league,
an ssssmblage Of powers bound to
enc another. II may b that various