Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-10-31
WORLD ExPER|ENC CHG GREAT
TRANSITION PERIOD OF HISTORY
DECLARES PROF. WILKINSON

tire familiarity with the trend of ma
tional and international events and
impressed his audience by the au-
thenticity of his vast fund of inform
alton, quoting frequently from recog-
nized authorities, and giving his
hearers a clear cut analysis of the
relations Of the United States with
the nations of Europe and the east.
Professor Wilkinson declared that
the world is now experiencing one of
the great transition periods Of his
tory, one of perhaps three or four
such epochs, which have had their
influence on the political, religious
and economical life of all peoples.
We are ceasing to be provincial
or even national people" said the
speaker, land are becoming more of
an internationally minded people"
There are three great events with
which we are contemporary and
which will have far reaching infiu-
epces in the future. First and one
OF the most significant is the up
heaval in China, where at the pres
ent time a great nationalist move
ment is being experienced, which
had it's origin In industrial disputes.
The industries and factories Of that
country are largely controlled by
foreign capitalists. American. Eng
Iish, French and German. The
worst phases of industrial unrest Of
the past are having their REPETITION in
China today and the peoples Of that
country have been aroused TO a de-
sire to be free of the long time for
eign- imposed restrictions.
The second significant event OF re-
cent occurrence which the speaker
interpreted was the Locarno confer
ence, which he declared has brought
an assurance that so far as we are
able to tell, has made future war
between France and Germany I'M
possible, as England and Italy have
underwritten the pledge of perpetual
peace between those nations. The
signing of the Locarno pact. Prof.
Wilkinson declared to be an epoch
Of far reaching significance.
The speaker also declared that to
assure their economic future the ma
tons of Europe are merging into a
united states of Europe. and that the
United States was practically left out
or isolated from the Iocarno confer
ence. There is a sentiment in Eu-
rope today, according to those who
have observed the trend of events at
first hand. which is r. entirely
friendly toward the United States,
because of a fear that the United
States will gain absolute economic
control of the world.
The efforts at funding the inter-
national debts were mentioned by
professor of history as the third I'M
portant event which would influence
history. He reviews the attitude OF
ia11 10 mi o. o.
ally opposed in their views on the
matter of the European nations pay
ing their war debts to this country.
ON the one hand are those who,
would cancel the whole or a large
part of the debts resulting from
Americas financial assistance to the
nations engaged in fighting the
world war, and on the other part are
the followers of Senator Borah, who
would demand payment to the last
penny, arguing that such a course
would have moral and salutatory
effect in that with the next two gen.
erations Of French and English being
heavily taxed to enable their govern
ments to meet payments to the U. s.
over the next 81 years, they would
understand the cost of war and re-
frain from rushing into another such
cataclysm.
In speaking of the practical isolation
of the United States from the momen-
tous Locarno conference and the pres
ent solidity of the European states,
Prof. Wilkinson suggested that the
time had come when this country
should end it's attitude Of aloofness.
He called attention to the fact that
the U. S. Senate would pass upon the
proposition of America affiliating with
the World Court at the session next
month";, and reviewed the situation
wherein the administration favors such
a move, while the Republican Senator
Borah is leading the opposition and a
Democrat is supporting the admins
tration policy.
Professor Wilkinson showed the at
titude of the presidents since Roose-
welt, all of whom have favored some
form Of United States alliance for in
ternational Cancellation. Theodore
Roosevelt was an ardent supporter of
The Hague tribunal; President Taft
did much for the promotion of inter-
national amity through the signing OF
peace pacts; President Wilson practf-
cally gave his life in the interests OF
the League of Nations, and President
Harding also died while promoting
the World Court. President Coolidge
has ever declared himself in favor OF