Creel and the Critics
MAN WHO STEERED PUBLIC OUINION DURING THE WAR
SCORES FOES OF WORLD COMPACT—DEFENDS SHAN
TUNG VALLEY DEAL AS ONLY POSSIBLE SOLUTION OF
DIFFICULT PROBLEM—WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE TO
A LEAGUE OF NATIONS?
(By Charles Lap worth, in the San
Francisco Bulletin.)
(Continued from Yesterday.)
“But the attitude of a good many
people, Mr. Creel, just ordinary
citizens who certainly cannot be ac
^ cused of having any political ax to
grind, is sincere that the covenant
of the league in its present form
is not an efficient instrument for its
intended purpose,” I ventured to in
terpose.
“Well,” he replied, “no one, not
even its most ardent advocate,
claims that the covenant is perfect,
^ or that it approaches perfection.
What we claim for it is that it is
an honest start, and a start in the
right direction. It proposes quite
definitely:
“1. The limitation of armaments.
“2. Abolition of secret treaties.
“3. Complete processes of confer
4 ence, inquiry, arbitration and settle
ment.
“4. Guarantees of political inde
pendence and territorial integrity.
“Thirty-two nations, by signing
the covenant, agreed to these four1
fundamentals, a proceeding in itself
that marks the longest forward step
ever made by the peoples of the
world. Thirty-two nations formally
admitted the utter stupidity of war,
solemnly pledged themselves to sub
mit to investigation the causes of
war and to adjustment before draw
ing the sword.”
“How does this affect the sov
ereignty of the United States, a
point that so many people seem to<
be sincerely anxious about?” I,
asked.
Day of Tyranny Past.
“I know,” he replied, ‘‘that the
Republican opposition pretends to
be very much exercised by the fear
that some other nation will try to
dictate to us in some matter that
we feel to be peculiarly our own
concern. Yet, even while they are
j advancing this fear, the senate pass
es a resolution commanding England
I to give Ireland home rule. I am
! for that. I feel that we have a
I
! right to express our conviction in
this matter, for the day is past when
ja small nation, a racial group, or
j even any large body of people, can
j be subjected to oppression with im
punity under the plea that it is no
j body’s business but that of the op
pressor. And just as we have ex
ercised the right to protest in re
jgard to Ireland, so has any other
j nation the same right to protest
! against America if we are guilty
| of tyranny in the Philippines, in
'Porto Rico, in Guam, or in any
other of our colonial dependencies.
| If we are guilty of injustice we
'should be willing to have it exposed.
j “The league is not concerned with
the internal and domestic affairs of
any nation. When it is declared
that Japan can. or will, have any
voice in our immigration or natur
alization policies, or when an ap
peal is made to base prejudices by
declaring that ‘the black races will
; control’, a falsehood is uttered. De
icisive action by the Council of Nine
requires unanimous vote. When
Senator Sherman says American
(sovereignty has passed to Geneva,
, and that Congress cannot even make
STRICTLY SANITARY BATHS ATTRACTIVE LOBBY
COONEY HOTEL
THE MOUSE OF COMFORT FOR ALL
DOG KENNELS NENANA, ALASKA J
Nothing Succeeds
Like Success
Our Goods are Right. Our Prices are
Right
Watch and Jewelry Repairing, Engraving
Wm. TAYLOR
giuiiimiiiiiuiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiniiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiini&
I Miners and Prospectors! |
[ NOTICE OF CHANGE OF RECORDING PRECINCTS |
f Accor Jmg to a recently issued Court Order by =
| Judge Chas. E. Bunnell, the Nenana Mining and Re- §
5 cording Dis'nct has been enlarged to take in the Bon- |
| nifield and Totatlanika Districts.
1 Miners and Prospectors of these districts will be §
s enabled by this change to do their recording and trans- =
| act other business at Nenana, which is within easy f
§ reach of their mining activities. |
1 NENANA COMMERCIAL CLUB, 1
2 R. S. McDonald, H. B. Joseph, S
5 President. Secretary 5
aiiusiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiuiiiiiuiHiiiniiimiiiiiiimiiiuiiiiiiiiuii?
an appropriation without the consent
of the league, either he has not
read the covenant or he chooses to
ignore its explicit wording.”
“Then you don’t take seriously.
Mr. Creel, the argument that the
guarantee of territorial integrity
will mean that the United States
will have to help the other parties
to the covenant when such integrity
is threatened from the inside as
well as from the outside? Not to
mention Ireland, it is known that
Egypt and India are in a state of
rebellion that may be described as
threatening the integrity of the
British Empire; do you contend that
the fears expressed by some, that
the United States may be intrigued
into aiding another country to put
down internal rebellion, are alto
gether groundless?’
Right of Revolution.
‘‘Why, most certainly,” Mr. Creel
replied. “The provision for the pro
tection of territorial integrity and
political independence is one of the
things most lied against. It does
not impair the right of a people to
rebel against oppression. It does
not interfere with the right of any
people to determine their form of
government or to alter their al
legiance if they see fit. On the
other hand, it declares that might
shall not take advantage of weak
ness, that aggressions may not be
committed, and that no nation shall
be permitted to seize the territories
of another.”
“Then you maintain that the in
dependence of the United States is
not irrevocably destroyed by the
League of Nations?” I asked.
“There is no hint of the irrevoca
ble about the covenant,” he replied.
“America, or any other nation, may
withdraw from the league on two
years' notice. All that is asked of
America is that we agree, in con
cert with the rest of the nations, to
limit our military and naval forces;
to join in some plan that will end
the war-provoking manufacture of
war material for private profit; to
sit in conference with the other
nations of the world; to make no
secret international bargains; to
wage no war until the justice of
our cause has been submitted to
examination; and not use our
strength to seize the territory of
weaker nations.
‘'If these concessions constitute a
surrender of our sovereignty, then
the quicker we make the surrender
the better for the soul of America,”
he added with some warmth.
“But,” I suggested, “it is con
tended that the treaty of peace could
have been accelerated if the propo
sition of the League of Nations
had not been mixed up with it.”
Did Not Delay Peace.
“That is another one of their
lies,” Mr. Creel replied with some
heat. “They argue that the peace
treaty could have been made at
once, and that the whole delay was
due to Wilson’s insistence upon the
League of Nations. As a matter
of fact, the league never delayed
the peace negotiations one day. And
these people who go upon the as
sumption that all the powers had
to do was to meet in the morning,
draw up a paper and slam it down
in front of the Germans at 12
o'clock, and have them sign it be
fore lunch; why, they have the ig
norance of children. Every one
of the Allied nations had to go to
:work through commissions and de-!
termine the damage inflicted; had
to go over fields and factories and
estimate destroyed products, involv
ing the most intricate figuring the
world has ever known; after they
had made an adjustment among i
themselves they had to guess what
the total wealth of Germany was
worth, and when the figure was
approximately determined, another
adjustment had to be made among
themselves.”
“But it is argued, Mr. Creel, that
America, supposedly an innocent
child in diplomacy, is being made
a catspaw by the older countries.
Why are the Old Guard of Europe
for the League of Nations?” I
asked.
“Because,” Mr. Creel replied, “al
though the league is extremely re
pugnant to the old school of Euro
pean statesmen, it does provide the
i necessary machinery for carrying
out the provisions of the peace
treaty. Here is a complex docu
ment, not only for today, hut to
run for thirty or fifty years. The
idea is absurd that it can be signed,
and then everybody walk away and
forget it. The league is an instru
ment that cannot be separated from
the treaty; it provides the ma
chinery for carrying its provisions
into effect. It is open diplomacy
as opposed to stone age diplomacy.
It is a terrific blow for the diplo
mats of the stone age, but they
saw that there was nothing else,
they could suggest nothing else; so
they are for the league.”
‘•What about the contention that
the league is only a league of some
nations, and therefore likely to be
ineffective?”
“I know it is argued that Ger
many is not included and that Rus
sia is not included, and that unless
these people are in where they can
be watched, the whole thing is val
ueless, and that Germany can be
gin again and assassinate France in
another twenty years. But that is
one of the greatest arguments in
favor of the League of Nations.
There is no question in the world
that Germany could return to her
strength, and in twenty years launch
another blow. But the League of
Nations will watch Germany, not
only to see that she shall carry out
the terms of the treaty, but to see
that she cannot get ready for an
other tiger-leap at the throat of
the world.
League Baaed on Honor.
“This League of Nations is based
upon honor,” added Mr. Creel, with
earnest emphasis. “And we are not
going to let any nation in until it
has proved itself fit for human com
panionship. Germany will be watch
ed by armed men until she shows
her willingness to make good, and
when that hour comes she will be
admitted to the League of Nations,
just as Mexico will be admitted
when Carranza fulfills international
obligations with respect to the pro
tection of the lives and properties
of aliens.
THE NENANA HOUSE
presents an attractive appearance
since the enla-gement of the Lobby.
The Homelike environment attracts
and holds its patrons.
Mrs. A. E. Easterly, Proprietress.
Mrs. M. A. Schaeffer and three
children, Margaret, Alfred, and
Noel, and Mrs. Belle Campbell re
turned to town on last evening’s
train from an outing near the
Crossing.
New Wisconsin Cream Cheese at
Fowler & Morris.
Charles Lytle and Fred Strand
have completed their grading con
tract on Goldstream and arrived in
Fairbanks yesterday from the scene
of their labors.
The Johnson launch Peerless,
which went to Fairbanks yesterday,
did not start down river on the
return trip today, according to ad
j vices received from the upper town
at noon. At that time the launch
was not billed out.
OFFICERS PROTEST
AGAINST SELLING
HORSES TO MEXICO
EL PASO, Tex.—Cavalry officers
at Fort Bliss unofficially protested
! against the selling of 400 cavalry
horses to the Mexican government
for mounting cavalry troops in pur
suit of Villa’s rebel band. Officers
who have been in Mexico with va
jrious expeditions assert that the
Mexican federal or rebel soldier has
! little or no regard for his mount,
t rides it hard, takes no care of the
animal and permits it to become
saddle sore, acquire hoof-rot and
[other equine diseases.
_
OLD PAPERS FOR SALE AT
THE NEWS OFFICE
We Strive to Please
| EVERYTHING THE BEST
t-.—
Tavern Cafe and Bakery
WM. RODIGKEIT
: : Proprietor
❖
Restaurant Tabs and Tablets at
the News Office.
Birth Announcement Cards at the
News Office.
Electrical Goods
Stoves and Ranges
Water Pipes and
Fittings
Bath Fixtures
Sheet Metal Work of All Kinds
Tanana Sheet Metal Works
Trappers and Traders of Alaska
SELL YOUR FURS TO A HOME INDUSTRY. WE GUARANTEE
YOU HIGHER PRICES THAN OUTSIDE
CONCERNS WILL PAY.
During the last season we conducted an advertising campaign
throughout the North and are prepared to send you the names of
people in all sections of Alaska and the Yukon who will verify our
statements.
Our excellent Eastern connections, and the tremendous amount
of mail order business we are receiving from all parts of the
States for furs made to order enables us to turn our stock quickly
at a reasonable profit, but we must have fur, for which we guar
antee top prices.
Make us a trial shipment. If our price does not suit you, the
goods will be returned charges prepaid.
WE MAKE FURS TO ORDER
at more reasonable rates than can be obtained Outside. At present
we are working three operators, and need others. If you are an
operator and finisher, and want a good year-around job, com
municate with us.
CHAS. GOLDSTEIN & CO.
JUNEAU, ALASKA
*
COLISEUM
EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG WORLD FEATURE FOR
PROGRAM TONIGHT.
World Film Corporation Preterits
THE EXQUISITE EMOTIONAL DRAMATIC STAR
JANET BEECHER
INCLUDING AN ALL-STAR CAST, IN
FINE FEATHERS
By Eugene Walters.
A VIVID STORY OF HUMAN POWER, CHARM
AND ROMANCE
IN FIVE ABSORBING ACTS.
MUSIC-VIOLIN, PIANO AND DRUMS
ADMISSION 25c RESERVED SEATS 50c
SHOW STARTS AT EIGHT O’CLOCK.
*