Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-10
TIE LEAvEN IS WORKING

TIE IEAVEN - WOnN'No
The League Of Nations may be
lettering fabric. If SO the fact bet
ter be known. 1t is not we'll to place
dependence in that which may be
crumbling or attempt to build per-
manently on the sands. The world
will soon know more about the de-
pendence to be placed in the League
when the controversy between Italy
and Greece shall be settled. But
whatever the outcome, even should
the League prove impotent, when
NAV we'll be doubted. we should not
meekly accept encouragement there
from. we should not overlook the
leaven of better international rela-
tons and clearer understandings
which Enthusiastically is working
throughout the world.
From all parts Of the civilized
world arises a protest against the
dictatorial attitude Of Italy. even
though we should all be mindful OF
the excessive provocation she re-
ceived. The protest Is not unlike
that we would expect from bystand-
ers in a powder mill against some
one careless with fire. Yet we be-
We've there is deeper sentiment
than immediate panic, comprehen-
sion rooted in the minds of people
of all walks of life that war is sui
eide, that injustice and unfair deal
ing are contributory agencies and
must be checked.
With all the present-day facilities
for information the world never be-
fore was better acquainted with ac-
Qualities. At this moment the daily
news is telling us of that which has
befallen the Japanese people in the
moment of their worldly power and
pride. They are confronted with
the grimmest Of realities, they must
be helped, and the world in helping
will come into the helpful mood. In
stead of contributing to the worlds
unrest one may hope that this awful
calamity will ultimately have .
steady!ng influence. It certainly vii!
make more than q deetiag impression
on the world mind, will stimulate
rather than check the leaven Of bet
ter understandings so Enthusiastically
In evidence.
Perhaps no more impressive indi-
ction Of this leaven may be found
than in the attitude being shown in
ha 80 ,hD Nd
defeated the Germans. Take these
words spoken by the national COM
mander of the American Legion at
the Inter-Allied Veterans Fedora
ton meeting in Brussels last week:
I'VE represent here the men who
did the fighting. Surely there must
be some way in which we can speak
to the men we fought and make them
realize there is better way of liv-
ing among Nations than continuing
battling one another. How can
we wish to deal with our former
enemies If we haven't the moral
courage to get together in peace?
Let them understand what we stand
for. They are not so deaf that they
won't hear the voice of the men who
fought them. Maybe there has been
no change of heart among our for
mer enemies. Perhaps there never
will be unless we are men enough to
carry to them our peace message.
France and Belgium are positive
ly entitled to rcparations, but hoard
ing and keeping in our hearts an
cient prejudices will not bring the
peace we earned by our victory"
And the logical step from this is
taking into the councils of this Fed
Grafton the men who fought for
Germany. Such association must in
evitably be productive of better I'M
Outstanding. This. though that meet
ing was insistent that Germany
should pay a just indemnity. 1t
would have nothing to do with
diplomatic quibblings, 1t adhered to
the basic fact that reparations are
an obligation which should be met.
1t is not too much to hope that the
veterans of Germany. were they in
the councils OF this Federation.
might be brought to see the justice
of this demand.
Then these men who won the VIC
wy IVA WIG AAiASc' WIN hhO" "hot
war Is from horrible experience,
whose hearts are surely as responsive
to the calls of true patriotism az
those of any human beings. call for
a conference, like the Washington
conference, to further limit arma-
ments, Of the air as well as Of the
sea. Here we have common sense
backed by the experience of those
who know war. who have met the
ordeal and who see clearly the sensi-
BILE ways by which to lessen the
likelihood of wa. Yes. the leaven il
working. It is not too much to ex-
pect the Ruhr deadlock to be broken,
the Greeco-Italian controversy set
tied. . way found to alleviate radi-
calism and unrest with good will and
fair play. q stronger and q better
Japan, in short a better world. Let
not the processes Of adjustment dis
courage or delay the working Of the
ieaven.
MASONIC MEMORIAL TO WASH.
On November l the Masons Of the
United States are planning for .
celebration at the national capital on