Page:Wounded Souls.djvu/267

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

which the Allied Nations were utterly pledged, not only to the Germans and all enemies, but to their own people. Not one of those Fourteen Points is in the reality of the Treaty. There has been no self-determination of peoples. Millions have been transferred into unnatural boundaries. There have been no open covenants openly arrived at. The Conference was within closed doors. The clauses of the Peace Treaty were kept secret from the world until an American journalist got hold of a copy and sent it to his paper. What has become of the equality of trade conditions and the removal of economic barriers among all nations consenting to peace? Sonny, Europe has been carved up by the spirit of vengeance, and multitudes of men, women, and children have been sentenced to death by starvation. Another militarism is enthroned above the ruin of German militarism. Wilson was hoodwinked into putting his signature to a peace of injustice which will lead by desperation to world anarchy and strife. When he understands what thing he has done, he will be stricken by a mortal blow to his conscience and his pride."

"Doctor," I said, "there is still hope in the League of Nations. We must all back that."

He shook his head.

"The spirit has gone out of it. It was born without a soul. I believe now that the future welfare of the world depends upon a change of heart among the peoples, inspired by individuals in all nations who will work for good, and give a call to humanity, indifferent to statesmen, treaties and governments."

"The International League of Good-will?"

He nodded and smiled.

"Something like that."

I remembered a dinner-party in New York, after the Armistice. I had been lecturing on the League of Na-