Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-01
BIZ SIR FREDERICK WHITE.

BY SIR FREDEKICh WHITE
Former President legislative Assembly OF
We Europeans must think of the
League OF Nations as an institution
which we ourselves can help to make
or mar. We must remember that it is
not thing apart from any human be-
ing or any country; and that, there
fore. when 1t is either praised or
blamed, we being In part responsible
for it. should take our share in the
blame and in the praise.
The League of Nations has its
strength and its weakness.
The first element in its strength Is
that it holds the field and that even
it's most determined critics offer US
no alternative beyond the return to
war and anarchy. A further element
in it's strength Is it's youth and, there
fore, its potential capacity of growth.
Now youth Is the period OF hope. II
our hopes of the league are to be real
lied, those OF us who believe in 1t
must be able to give reasons for our
faith, not merely in theory but in
proof and established fact.
War Threatens Civilization.
is that modern war is so devastating
as to threaten, II not TO destroy. all
the foundations of civilization. Tho
World War more nearly wrecked the
world than most of us realize. And
If another great war were to arise
In the future, 1t is probable that the
world would plunge backward into
universal and trredeemable anarchy.
Therefore, knowing what war has
been and estimating what 1t will be,
we have a strong incentive now to
remove its causes. The opportunity
which the league offers of discussing
and settling those problems out OF
which war arises before they become
too acute for reasonable settlement
iustffies our belief that many of the
potential wars of the future can be
so avoided. The second element In
its strength is that 1t marches with
the progress of history and repre-
sents a perfectly normal develop
ment of human institutions; and
though it Is, perhaps. a very large
step forward. 1t represents no
greater change than those which the
human race went through in the
establishment of the modern state.
The third element In its strength
consists in its achievements.
y
IL the skepticism with which many
still regard it. 1t is held to repre-
sent an idea contrary to human
nature but since 1t is an effort in
cooperation and since mankind has
learned the value of cooperation In
other spheres, there is no reason why
humanity should not also learn this
lesson. Skepticism can only be re-
moved by education, both in the
principle on which the league is based
and in the functions which 1t is
already discharging.
Three Powers Absent.
Another cause OF weakness is the
absence in three of the principal ma
tions OF the world from the family of
the league. These three are America.
Germany and Russia. The American
people has not yet seen Its way to
ioin the league and will not until
the American Government Is able to
tell the citizens of this great republic
that the league has made good in
Europe 1t is, therefore, Idle for US
10 appeal to America to join the league
until we have succeeded in putting
the European house in order. In
proportion as that Is done, and In
proportion as America, finds 1t to her
sifion OF America will gradually de-
cline; but I am not one Of those who
consent to appeal to America on
grounds Of pity, or any other ground.
to Join the league. We don't want
your pity, but we will accept gladly
YOUR whole hearted cooperation when
YOU are ready to give 1t. America
will only join when she is ready.
We now know that the time Is not
far distant when Germany will join,
and 1t must be obvious to those who
are not blinded by prejudice that 1t
is better both for Germany and the
world that our late enemy should be
inside the league than outside it.
Russia Must Change.
The case Of Russia is different. We
are not concerned with Russian do
nestle policy, but until the Soviet
government shows that 1t Is ready
to accept the ordinary international
I11cralfties and courteGles. Russia can
not be d satisfactory member Of the
league.
The fundamental justification COR
tiaO league itsslf seaFnn to mo f0 be ]