Evening star., 1924-10-05
i. S. Faces Serious Hurdles
Either In or Out of the League

organization. such as was effected. or
at least initiated. in Geneva, mutually
of interest among other nations will
be enhanced. The United States. con-
sidered an outsider. will be treated
with respect just as long a s there is
the slightest possibility of II ever
becoming a member of the League.
When ii is once determined that this
never will eventuate then members
of the league. bound by determine
ton to control the affairs OF tho
world. will proceed wholly along
original lines. whether decisions
rendered be against the United state
or not.
This is recognized by highest GOV
ernmental officials in Washington to
day ami though steadfastly refusing
to become committed 10 the league.
thereby abandoning the policies Of
isolated and independent action which
have been maintained since the time
of Washington. nevertheless. it is ad
mitted this country might feel seri
Gus need of adequate protection in
world counsels. Through a system
of observers much has been accom-
plished in the protection of American
interests in various international
counsels. But there might arise DAY
when such system might fail and
with this in mind the league action
of the past week may be regarded
with concern on the part Of far
seeing statesmen.
Americans Gain III Will.
If there existed today feel Of
love and good fellowship for the
United States, the situation never
would remain serious for long. But
officials Of the American Government
know. and the tens of thousands of
Americans returning from Europe in
the past two years know, that funda-
mentally there is little sympathy for
the United States in Europe today.
Whether the motive be jealousy or bs
inspired for some other reason. il
nevertheless is a fact that the Amer
lean occupies Il position not to be
coveted, platitudinous reassurances Of
interested statesmen of many coun-
tries to the contrary Notwithstanding.
Will this feeling dominate all ques-
tions to be decided in the future
should the United States remain in
its present position?
Would it continue to prevail should
the United States become actively and
officially arrayed with other nations
in the leagues activities toward the
suppression of war?
Must the United States enter the
league, subscribing to the protocol.
binding it even closer to European
squabbles and discomfort to protect
itSelfo
Or, can il always maintain its
sovereignty and freedom of movement
in the face of the organized nations
of the earth. all subscribing to the
doctrine of cooperative help in times
of stress and. through association.
controlling things generally to suit
themselves, even possibly to the dis
interest of the United States, without
the latter having some means of
forestalling or multiplying decisions
reached?
These are questions that necessarily
must arise and influence directly or
indirectly any decisions as to the
future of the United States in inter
national affairs.
The situation fast approaches a
point where the United States is con-
demned in its own mind if it does
become an active force in the league.
forsaking, as it must many of the
tenants so tenaciously clug to since
the very foundation of the republic
and it is utterly condemned in the
minds Of other nations if it remains
without