Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-09
CHARGES U. Sis
PREPARING FOR
ANOTHER WAR

Atlanta. Dec. S.-"Recent events
strongly indicate that America Is
for the next var. and that
the smoke screen of preparedness Is
being used to luil the people Unto
acQuiescence in the most extensive
military program this country has
ever adopted" ).
Governor william E. Sweet Of
Colorado made this statement in an
ternational Relations" at tonights
session of the Fourth Quadrennial
Meeting of the Federal Council OF
Churches. The churches. he de-
cIared, are indignant at the attitude
of Congress concerning America 8
relations, TO international peace. He
criticised the recent mobilization
day" as being designed to fix the at
tention of the nation on war. He
praised the principles Of woodrow
Wilson and declared that the re-
sponsibility for continuing the cru
SADIE for a warless world rests upon
the churches.
THE most urgent question before
the nations # the world today is the
establishment of universal peace.
he said. 1T is urgent not only
because war is wrong but be-
cause nations are rapidly forgetting
the horrors of the World War. With
the return Of normal conditions in
Europe. the nations will revert to
the ancient idea that war Is an en-
tirely legitimate method OF setting
international disputes and not TO be
regarded with adherence. This
| viewpoint is becoming increasingly
prevalent in the United States. Re-
cent events strongly indicate that
America is preparing. for the next
war and that the smoke screen OF
preparedness is being used TO iuii
the people into acquiescence in. the
most extensive military program
this nation has ever adopted.
"At the recent meeting OF the
League of Nations the most far
reaching step which has ever been
taken against war was adopted
The nations .solemnly declared that
aggressive war was an international
crime They severally undertook
not to be guilty of its commission.
1T is a matter of profound regret
to many that the United States. not
being a member Of the League OF
Nations, had no part in the discus,
sion of the protocol. The poiiticai
party which has controlled congress
during the past four years deter
mined that no debate on the ques-
ton of our adherence to the World
Court should be permitted. Every
act of the League is now discussed
by us from the standpoint OF an
outsider and not as member. Our
criticism of the recent protocol Is
likely to be hypercritical and
hostile, instead .of constructive and
helpful. Already attempts are being
made to discredit it as an anti
American move on the part OF the
Japanese.
"You will remember that a group
Of 80 distinguished citizens through
out the country. earnest advocates
of the League of Nations. issued a
statement four years ago during the
presidential campaign. that the
quickest way. in their opinion. TO
get America into the League was TO
elect Mr.. Harding. This the country
did with an overwhelming majority.
Doubtless large numbers of votes
were cast for Mr.. Harding in the be-
lief that his so-called Association
of Nations might lead to something
definite. But nothing came of 1t.
Next we were told by President
Coolidge, Secretary Hughes and MIR.
Hoover that America ought to join
the World Court. But the World
Court resolution introduced into the
Senate was promptly pigeon-holed
by the late Chairman of the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations. Mr..
Lodge. and President Coolidge did
not think the matter OF sufficient
importance to press 1t upon the at