Roanoke Rapids herald., 1924-01-18
NEWS REVIEW Of
CURRENT EVENTS
Prize Peace Plan, Submitted
to Referendum, Is Target
of League Opponents.
BY EpWARcs W. PlcKARp


EDWARD w. BOKS prize of $780,
II 900 for 1.-The best practical plan by
which the United States might COOP
crate with other nations to prevent
war;" has been awarded to a COM
petitor whose name is not yet an
nounced, and the plan is now being
submitted to the people in nation
wide referendum" The reactions Of
Americans of various schools of thought
are interesting and sometimes amusing.
Briefly summarized. the plan is:
Il. That the United States shall en-
ter the permanent court of interna-
tional justice, under the conditions
stated by Secretary Hughes and Presi
dent Harding in February, 1923.
''2. That. without becoming a men,
ber of the League of Nations as at
present constituted, the United States
shall offer to extend its present CO.
operation with the league and partici-
pate in the work of the league as
body of mutual counsel under condi-
tions which:
"(a) Substitute moral force and pub
lie opinion for the military and eco
nomic force originally implied in ar
ticles 10 and 16:
"(b) Safeguard the Monroe doc
trine;
SCI Accept the fact that the United
States will assume no obligations un-
der the treaty of Versailles except by
act of congress;
"(O Propose that membership in
the league shall be opened to all ma
tions;
"(e) Provide for the continuing de-
velopment of international law"
Advocates of American membership
in the League of Nations and mild
reservationists,' though admitting
there was nothing novel N the scheme,
gave it their hearty approval. The
"irreconcilables' and all those who be
iieve the United States should stand
aloof from the tangled affairs of Eu-
rope naturally denounced the plan as
merely an argument for entering the
league. They asserted that the jury of
award was packed and that the whole
affair was a conspiracy. The concern
exhibited by some of the members of
the senate was almost ridiculous. They
professed to believe that the contest
was improper propaganda designed to
influence their votes on the pending
question of American membership in
the world court, and called loudly for
congressional inquiry. The referen-
dunn, which is being conducted mainly
through those newspapers that are
willing to help, is bound to be some
what limited.
G ENATOR LODGE opened the
- weeks proceedings in the upper
house by delivering a carefully pre-
pared speech in defense Of the admin
istration's policy Of refusing recogni'
tion to the soviet government of Rus
sia. He presented a great volume OF
evidence and documents to uphold the
assertion that the Moscow government
directly or indirectly, is making efforts
to cause disorder and dissensiOn among
the American people, and gave what
seemed to be real proof of the state
ment tndt tne communist lnteTuatl atlOu-
ale and the soviet government are in
extricably interviewer and controlled
by the same men.
Senator Borah, who has introduced
a resolution for Russian recognition
said the proof submitted by Mr.. Lodge
would not stand a test in any court
and that even if it were true it would
be easier to deal with the alleged con-
ditions if diplomatic relations were re-
stored.
Senator Brookhart Of Iowa, with the
brashness sometimes exhibited by those
not yet experienced in large affairs Of
state, declared the reasons for non.
recognition given by the administra-
ton spokesmen were "the most ridic.
ulous ever heard from grown ur
men,"
T NSURGENT Republicans In the sen
i ate on Wednesday won the long
struggle to keep Senator Cummins oui
of the craftsmanship Of the interstate