SHOULD THE UNITED STATES JOIN THE LEAGUE?
Darrow, Clarence & HILLQUIT, MORRIS
Should the United Status Join the League "Yes" "No By Morris Hillquit IBELIEVE that the Unite?! States should join the Lesftte ot Nations. I am fully and keenly aware of the iniquitous...
...Socialist ForeAdvancing In France the powers of liberalism and Socialism are steadily increasing...
...The exponent of1 "Anftrican idealism" succumbed to the wiles of the astute and cynical politicians of «*he old world, who gave him the empty shell of liberal phraseology'while they kept the Imperialistic substance...
...Hillquit says we can get rid of wpr by getting rid ef -capitalism...
...Let me illustrate this thought by e. concrete example.- When the Covenant of the L«tm was framed Great Britain was ruled by the government of Lloyd George*-whose simple International policy was: "Germany must pay and the Kaiser must be hanged...
...We'd lose our freedom...
...When the League Assembly met to 1924 England was no longer represented by the Imperialistic Lloyd George Cabinet, but by the Labor government of Ramsay McDonald...
...Because Section X protect* every country and its territory from Invasion...
...League wilt become an effective and permanent instrument for peace...
...Bat the mere important lessen of the Geneva, Protocol la that the League may become an effective Instrument for peao* and progress tp -pita .of the Covenant, If Its leading members are pacific and progressive, and I have faith In the political future of Europe...
...Anything Mo far off...
...Isn't it strange that tola creature' of the brain of Woodrow Wilson in the...
...W* haven't got enough freedom aa it is...
...Z never thought we had to go in...
...The position of .the Socialist workers of Great...
...The deadliest war-breeding- microbe la the economic rivalry of nation's, clashing over sources of raw material, markets L for their surplus products and fields ? for Investment of capital...
...The farces of greed and wealth put us to to help them exploit the world...
...They still find much to eritioips in thea instrument...
...I've been talking now for twenty-fly* years and if they sag some sense...
...ment could not "simplyt reject the Geneva Protocol without offering a constructive substitute for ft...
...It is bound to win 'out, eventually, and in the'meantlm*- it win continue to...
...Europe impoverished 1* still fighting...
...Twp parallel courses of action are therefore necessary to eradicate the ] war breed hur causes...
...These are the main objectionable features of the Covenant of the League of Nations, and in order to perpetuate them its framers have toffen care to provide that it shall-not be amended in any particular without the unanimous consent of all great powers...
...Now about this League, everybody knows 'the war brought the Leagu...
...Whether it waa pure Socialism or good er bad I won't discuss at this tuna Maybe she'll succeed...
...We'll draw card* and if we have a good hand we'll stick in or else we'll pass...
...I acre*, the L**gue might develop into something else...
...Its functions and practical operation...
...To Eliminate 'War, '. Another important source of ware, particularly in Europe within the last century, has been the oppression of nationalities by foreign rules or ruling races...
...Yet every nation but to* United States la in It...
...we can't get the hopeless unwMdly mass to act together...
...In common with all Socialists...
...The . irreconcilable French fAernment of - Clemenceau bad given if*y to the pacific Radical-Socialist coalition of Harriot The whole spirit of the League changed immediately with the result that the Assembly by unanimous vote adopted the famous "Protocol for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes," popularly known as the Geneva Protocol...
...That's on* reason why I'm afraid of it, I'U tell you why I don't believe to itIt's uniting stll the world fax d*f*n*s...
...W* didn't hav* te mo to...
...The Socialist and labor forces had aecureof control of some djovernmenta* and they exerted a considerable * Influence over others...
...BlllqUit would Join the League because some "time it might be better...
...When the Socialist workers of Great Britain, France, Germany *and several smaller* countries will rule the destinies of their respective peoples and ¦ovist Russia, somewhat liberalized (.Continued en page 4) JP^ss^Sajt^r "w^SsstJsafl^OJ^^S Ssb^^^^AA ^^^^^^^^fe^^ Nattioas...
...How the League Work* Its main executive...
...But they do not oppose the League...
...It baa shown that even the reactionary British govern...
...Such a pearer ^^^b»'v* Aalfrtea^ In*W cjapeteg jEm...
...A League with pofjer enough to stop nation* Intent en war would have to be a League that bad Tan arnSjr and a navy strong enough to prevent J w*r...
...X would hav* bad thee* converted ton year* age...
...At least she undertook it...
...England, France, and Germany too, like It fee that reason...
...It wlU not be necessary to wait until every nation of the world wdfi develop a high degree of International solidarity before the...
...J* ' I'm not going to *T»sV) 0 snips Wash J tegton as a witness on this question.' He probably didn't -know anytttng about it- There, have been many wars *moa then...
...pTTl'tflfrfl ana giorttted by to* Socialist Party that la sum say going...
...After twenty League states bad retailed It the British Leber government fell and the Tory government ef Mr...
...I thought we n**ded to g* to...
...But In the hour of seeming fulfillment, history played one oLiia grim Jokes...
...By providing for the registration and publication of all International treaties, it largely palliates the evils bf secret diplomacy, it* bans military alliances between antagonistic groups Of growers...
...The assertion has been made that the Locarno treaty creates an alliance directed against Russia, but I see no Warrant for that assertion...
...For Good Or Bad But the League of Nations is apt so Important for what it is as-for whit if* can be made to be...
...pet they are, to be bandedMog-ether for defense...
...I am fully and keenly aware of the iniquitous Origin of the League, and the grave and numerous shortcomings in its constitution and practical operation, X am also under no delusion about the sordid interests of some-of the elements that now...
...Now, the League was not born in Iniquity as much as Hillquit says...
...Belgium haa a Socialist Foreign Minister...
...The Holy Alliance did it...
...If I tan* * drink...
...en the werJdT*^ would be vers* than war...
...I'm Just recognising human beings as they are and they're g pretty bum lot...
...The League Is one of them...
...Every Socialist country can give us Socialism...
...Half toe nations eg Europe stayed mat...
...If we got a Leecne good enough and strong enough w* _ could prevent war...
...It'a being* doa...
...were the countries in declared opposition to capitalist imperialism as Russia and Mexico...
...They'll have more fighting as soon as they gat money enough to bay a gun...
...neither gives me Joy nor sorrow...
...we'd get the miUenninm good and plenty...
...Protocol Novor Put in Effoet • The Geneva Protocol never became effectw...
...loot's iook at uue question sor at minute...
...all small naflH| The League of Nations, as an orgafl part of the Treaty, waa sought to be subverted from its original high purposes Into an instrument, of oppression in the bands of tb*-great powers...
...New Zealand and .South Africa...
...Now this world court Is nothing, but If it's anything it will lead to to* League of Nations...
...I am auite aware of all the limitations and shortcomings* of the Locarno treaty...
...W* .stayed oat of all of thnsbuntlVrbe world tsar...
...It • makes warfare a little, less honorable, a littl* more difficult...
...Hew will the league go that...
...The Covenant makes no provision for the solution of the world's economic problems and no attempt to-define and codify international righto and obligations...
...Europe has reached the stage of unstable political balance In which the forces of capitalist Imperialism and pacific Socialism contend tor mastery...
...What our «r*tr*nce means is that our fallows agree to chip in for the expenses and raise a Jack-pot...
...Warp can't be prevented Br a Leagu* except with sem* such power...
...That substitute waa the Locarno treaty...
...The British Labor government has fallen, but the Labor Party of Great Brj.ta.ln is more alive than ever...
...against wTdS...
...if so, h*w...
...The rise and...
...It does not completely outlaw war...
...I' can't do it...
...Every country is supreme In...
...We would have a world full of lusty'love and after a wtujte everything would be sol peaceful, we'd, be glad . of 'a war to break up tne monotony...
...urge our entrance into the League...
...In these day* I hope some and believe less, and let It go* at that...
...Ttoe whole world is to b* in it...
...If we were in the I<*sgu* eg Nations we would have to get te an these wars...
...Nor is the struggle confined to Europe alone...
...Some people go through life in a dream...
...Even Russia has abandoned its original Socialism and is *oing- *u*u*wtt** toward* Capitalism...
...Small wonder, therefore, that the Covenant has caused deep disappointment and bitter indignation among the hosts of sincere advocates of an effective world - organisation for peace...
...The Assembly, which consists of representatives of all nations, can take no important fiction without the unanimous consent of all Council'members...
...During the first five years of the League's - existence great political ¦ changes occurred in the principal countries of Europe...
...Joining the League of Nations would only postpone Socialism...
...The League of Nations is and always will be aa~-good or bad aa the powers which control it...
...It has reached an acute phase in Australia...
...Baldwin refused to assent to the Protocol...
...While the League of Nations Tia* many fundamental defects, candor compels, to admit that it represents a definite advance overethe chaotic international conditions before tne war...
...On* thing is tpVtain...
...exert a growing influence over British policies, domestic and foreign...
...This Instrument radically revolutionizes the constitution of the League...
...The defeated countries were not originally ineluded in its councils, nor...
...The reactionary founders of the' League and many of its radical opponents made «b* equal mistake of believing that written constitutions determine the character and functions of social organisations tor all times- to come...
...JT During the period ef the struggle the League-ef Nation* win'faithfully record every step of general political progress, and adjust itself to the new -world- requirements by steady reformation of its constitution...
...I think we'd better bold eft to what we've go* and grab more when we can...
...It was thought the Leagu* would stop wars...
...and other disputes . between all countries...
...It makes arbitration compulsory and in all cases of international disputes and definitely outlaws war as a method of settling such disputes...
...That mean* that that army Or navy would have to be two or three If****) as strong ** that of the strong—t nation...
...What would that do...
...A paper covenanT can" no more arrest the march of social progress than a wooden fence can stem the tide of the ocean...
...fall of Its first government wax butt * prelude In its strug|Rs<for the permanent control of the, British Empire...
...We couldn't do it any etksr way...
...I tooaght So...
...I'm not bwmnsg anybody...
...There w» always be war in Europe, also Asia,' and Africa '** it become* more civilised will hav* more war...
...The League was mainly the work of Woodrow Wilson...
...its own domain...
...Long ago I gave up tne thought that the worM was wise enough to agree with me...
...as I sometimes do, the State and the Nation can prosecute me...
...Now...
...We has* mere than enough government* now as it is...
...We got to seeauM we.*ma4*4 to...
...Whatever military aggression the League of Nations, or, for that matter, any Independent hostile powers, dan conceivably commit against...
...Senate the other day got the virtual endorsement of to* Republican majority and only a law Democrats...
...If these and,other nations are ready for Socialism and adopt it, and it works, maybe the United States might try it...
...I I think Woodrow Wilson was one "of the greatest* idealist* this country ever knew...
...It offers...
...But It cannot be denied that the treaty marks a substantial Improvement ha the relations between France and Germany and thus* enhances the chances of peace in Europe and in the world...
...It continues the oppressive colonial rule of the great powers under' the euphemistic term of "mandates...
...bat only by 'plunging to* world tat* tyranny end Ignorance...
...The elimination of brute destructive forces in the settlement of disp u t e s v between nations and its substitution by an organized system of peaceable adjustment has been the noblest dream of the noblest dreamers of all a see...
...They recognise the League as an Institution, potent for good or for evil, and are determined to use* their whole collective power to bring out all that Is potentially good in it and to suppress all that is evil...
...They Ignored the fundamentaf trutV that social institutions always reflect the existing social forces and change with every cbaage of such forces...
...We've got to measure good and evil together...
...the unremittent ' struggle for thexrestriWion and ultimate suppression^ of the system of competitive industries for private gain within each country and the creation i at ma effective-International organ iza' tion for the adjustment of economic, . national...
...organ...
...The nominal triumph of Woodrow Wilson was a pitiable and tragic surrender- ¦ The Treaty of Versailles waa nop k peace pact, but an indenture of perpetual bondage wbieh a victorious Imperialism sought to foist os^thftgdjsfeated peoples and...
...Against whom...
...Russia did it...
...THe League of Nations if effective would mean that the whole world would have to have Socialism at once and not before...
...A league of, nation* thus eonstltutsd would necessarily Involve the complete outlawry of war, the abolition of Standing armies and the suppression of the pernicious Custom of sscrot diplomacy...
...iuptter...
...Convinced that wars' -will not be abolished by prayers or resoltfttons but only by the elimination of their procuring- causes, they direct their attacks against these causes...
...because tt) -weald mean sterility and enforced/ slavery...
...Soviet Russia, they can commit with equal effect or probability with or without the Locarno treaty...
...A thick atmosphere of reaction hung 'over the rest of the allied World...
...The Socialists have always envisaged * world pesos union or l«a«ue of nations as an *lli.lneUiaive sovereign power for thelequal protection of all states, large and •mall, loom posed of chosen representatives of the constituent people*, and endowed with, legislative, Jedicisl and executive powers...
...New they want to erect another government, a supergovernment...
...If tt was...
...What good and evil can we get from it...
...In Germany, Austria and many of toe smaller countries the Socialists constitute the largest - political parties and are fast approaohing the point of majority rule...
...Ssatnark, Austria dad Germany (with Htndenburg at the Head) ire Socialist...
...Representation in the edunell* of the League is not acquired* by popular ejection or parliamentary choice, but by governmental appointment...
...I don't believe in alt hi* theories however...
...They batch - wars in tne Balkans a* we can hatch mosquitoes in a swampy land...
...Wlll.lt do it and...
...Before you'd get all {he world converted to Socialism, you'd get all the Socialists eonverted t* capitalism...
...They can't be separated...
...Since America's entrance into the World War, Woodrow Wilson became the roast aggressive champion of the League-of Nations, and it was largely due to his urgence that the Covenant of the League Was...
...It was confined to the victorious al-' lied countries, whom the weak neutral states were invited to join...
...We c*uld have submitted our grievances to any organization In toe world without entering the Court...
...I favor American participation in the League of Nations because I am convinced that our membership in it will in the lone run aid the cause of world peace and justice...
...Mars...
...I* b* bom., fx I believed afi that I might be far it flint I don't.* He says Sweden...
...forum to- every nation, no matter how Small and hum* ble, to present Its claims and voice its grievances...
...I consider it vastly inferior to the Geneva Protocol...
...Into these dreams the socialists have, introduced an element of realism...
...Thm Labor Part***, War Ainu The most thoroughgoing and eloquent application of .this international Socialist position to the) concrete situation of the recent war waa formulates by the' British Labor Party .in Its statement of War* At Hie adopted to December...
...is a Council of nine, on which the "big five", of the war—the United /States, 'Oreat Britain, France, Italy and Japan—were to have perpetual representation...
...It is being actively waged In the principal countries of the Western hemisphere...
...If they are all Socialist why in thunder don't they do something...
...But the incident baa taught as torn lSAportant lessons...
...Victories alternate with defeats, advances with retreats, but it is a struggle between the new and the old, between progress and reaction, and the whole trend of social development guarantees the eventual victory of the former...
...an organization which would take aeeount of the legitimate economic • needs of all eountr*** and make suitable provision for them, and which would operate on a definite code -of international rights and obligations with a regularly eon\ stituted tribunal to decide, dispute* _^3d pi effective maeftinery to en**»»•* «lt* decisions...
...I would simply let each country establish Socialism individually without let or hindrance...
...Foremost among the critics ' of the Covenant' were the Socialists • of all nations...
...We might as well go to hell on the same theory.' This League isn't good...
...Is there any reason why these countries shouldn't help each other keep what, they've gotten by theft and conquest...
...It is fast invading the ancient' cirtltocilon* of Asia...
...It also make* previsions for certain important non-political activities In the interests of general human welfare...
...net THE League of Nation*, J He believe, in « - >| Xa*9sfcJj*1Maa...
...incorporated in the Peacy Treaty of Versailles...
...Britain had a stimulating effect on the liberal and pacific forces on both sides of the firms line and a direct and unmistakable influence on the attitude of President Wilson...
...Thd Signs-' tortes to the Covenant wrote Into the document as much of their hate,'distrust and reaction as they could and dared...
...France, was governed by the fire-eating "tiger," Clemenceau...
...Sweden and Denmark are ruled by Socialist Cabinets...
Vol. 3 • February 1926 • No. 4
