Evening star., 1923-03-11
Holds Only World Peace Hope
Lies in a League of Peoples

world, how speedily might arms and
armament be reduced!
The league is doing good in fixing
n limitation to the popularity con-
ceived notion that there is Il right
of self-determination inherent in
man. 1t is to be hoped that it's
moral influence, which, regrettably,
Is the only one 1T can use, Will as
suhgo national pride and the doc
trine of Eelf-determination in the
minds of tho people Of small Euro
pcan nations.
II 4 x X
More than sixty years ago We wit
messed the most desperate effort of
all history in defense of the doctrine
of determination. The beauty
and the chivalry of the south re-
solved to maintain the institution of
slavery at any cost and to destroy
tho American Union regardless of
consequences And. in the north be-
Iievers In this same doctrine or sell
determination boldly advocated let
ting the erring sisters go In peace.
But there were those who said the
doctrine was being carried TOO 1ar'
and for four years brother shot at
brother to settle the question, ana
,t was settled against the doctrine
of eIf-determination.
In a milder form this doctrine mas
bohbed ND again. It is in the mlnds
Of many men; it is the consensus Oh
oninion in numerous cities; 1t is inc
,,ndoubted view of seVeral states.
Now IL is sclf-determination as 70
what system of government we WIN
lend willing obedience to. as 70 what
no nd
will evade. It is the Same doctrine
carried to a farcical and, l pray Hoo'
not TO Il dangerous limit.
i; X i 4
But whether in free America or III
the countries of the old world, the
people. 10 difference what may
be their views as to their riShts'
would forcgo most of them in the IN
terests of peace if it were not Tor
leadership AS the hart panteth 1ol
the brook, so the souls OF men every
where long for peace. Give the peo-
pie a chance to say whether there
shall be peace or war, and we shall
have eliminated almost every danger
Of conflict We shall not have peace
nor permanent hope OF peace so long
as men In authority are actuated by
the belief that their first duty is TO
maintain the integrity Of their own
country. their second duty is TO oo-
tain every political and economic ad-
vantage possible, and their third duty
is to talk, if any time remains, about
peace and good will among men. Fret
ful little realms may be held III awe
Ev the overpow ering majesty OF
larger governments. but friendly
feeling will not exist until the little
fellow is convinced that the Law by
which he Is governed is the law gov
erning all.
Not since Frederick the Great made
his assault upon Silesia has any ma
ton deliberately avowed its intention
10 prepare for war of aggression.
The cry is. Arms, men. ships for de-
fense e"'-defense against whom no one
at the time knows, but sooner or later
the target is found. the enemy is un-
covered The expense which was
gladly met for defense is used for
offense. While the present system
continues there is nothing other TO
be done. It is vain to train our boys
TO be too proud to fight, for they may
be compelled to fight in defense OF
their affairs and their fires. They may
even be made the aggressors by de-
signing politicians. But while the
soul of the world. scanned and SCARED
by the last conflict, is crying out for
peace, why do not the people take
steps TO disarIn the world and to pre-
vent its rearmirg until a future gen.
Grafton desires another war"
Copyright. 1873. by Thomas l.. Mar>han.)