The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-10-04
It. s. SWEPT
TO LEAGUE
BY EVENTS
World Body Hourly Gaining
Prestige at Geneva
Conference.
By WILLIAM PHILIP SIMAfS
Times Foreign Editor

| Times Foreign Editor
ET7 AsHINGTON, Oct. 4.-G. 0. P.
tlWI leaders here are increasingly
L- alarmed over the turn Of
events at Geneva where the League
of Nations is hourly gaining in
prestige and power. They see them
selves in a hole.
Slowly but surely the realization
that a boner has been committed in
keeping America aloof Is beginning
to penetrate the intellects of some
of the highest officials in the capital.
They now see what fizzle Senator
Lodge made Of his attempt 10 kill
the league and dread the day when
public sentiment win force them to
back water.
They are also beginning to grasp
the stupendous fact that the United
States, even though not a member.
now finds its own international best
interests are with the league and
that events are daily adding new
reasons why we should join.
In Keeping With L. S.
The plan of arbitration, interna-
tional security against war and
worldwide reduction Of ornaments
just adopted by the league and
hailed by many as a death blow to
war is privately. though reluctantly.
admitted to be strictly in keeping
with American ideals.
The United States prides itself
upon never having waged an agrees
sive war. It has always fought in
self-defense. BY cooperating with
the league now. we cannot only do
our bit for world peace but, in the
event we have TO fight another de-
fensive war. we will have the rest
of the world actively on our side.
For decades the United States has
been pleading with the rest of the
world to arbitrate its differences,
when not purely domestic, instead Of
going to war over them Now the
rest of the world is lining up to do
that very thing, presenting at the
same time the amazing spectacle OF
begging in vain for America to come
along with them.
To reverse ourselves at this cru
cisl time, when world peace is at
stakA, would be to brand us as IN
tolerant bigots and bullies, and
would bring down upon us universal
disapprobation and contempt. And
if we soorned. the machinery set up
by the rest of the world to preserve
peace, and went to war regardless,
we should run the grave risk of
being declared an outlaw. And we
would deserve to be.
Almost Panic
Some Of the things are soaking
through league irreconcilables here
and creating almost a panic.
A world conference on reduction
Of ornaments is to be called for
next June, to meet at Geneva under
the auspices of the league. That is
to say. all the nations of the world
Will be there. The United States,
will be invited, and President Cool
idge, already on record as favoring
such a conference, will find it diff
cult, if-not impossible, to stay away
1t needs no super-human mind to
see that if the invitation is accepted,
and we go to Geneva, and we join
with the rest in q worldwide plan of
arbitration, security and arms re-
duction, we will be, to all intents and
purposes, in the league, call it what
one may.
Thus, more than one pro-league
member of the Presidents Cabinet is
smiling up his sleeve as he sees the
irresistible current sweeping Amer
lea leagueward.