NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY. Registered for transmission through the post as a newspaper. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1922. A GOODWILL LEAGUE.

Northern Advocate, 22 November 1922, Page 4

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY. Registered for transmission through the post as a newspaper. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1922. A GOODWILL LEAGUE.

Although America is still reluctant to concern herself with the affairs of the world at large, all Americans are : not insensible of the good to be achieved through ,co operation with other countries. A few weeks ago the American Legion Conference, held at New Orleans, suggested the establishment of «n organisation of world-war veterans in English-speaking countries to "promote good-will among the nations concerned for co-operation conducive to the betterment of humanity and the peace of the world." It mav be thought that such a .scheme, while highly creditable to the -heart, lacks the dynamic force which Would commend it to the intellect. A closer examination of (the project must, howfever, reveal to impartial minds that it is just from small beginnings of this nature that far-reaching results can lie attained. General Monash's message to the conference, wherein he asserted that "an unbreakable bond existed between Britain and America, whose eo-operation would be conducive to the betterment of humanity," furnishes the fundamental basis of operations in such a scheme. It has of len been claimed that if a real joining of hands took place between the British Empire and the great American Republic for the purpose of uplifting h'uman'itv and securing the peace of the world, the object in view would be achieved. While there is a comon tendency among people in the mass to be- ! little sentiment, there is no evading the fact that sentiment rules the world. Admitting that sentiment is

a very elastic term, it stands for what humanity desires, and may be good or evil. Apparently the under-lying principle contained in the suggested organisation is based on the lessons of the Great War, so there is a special fitness in etablishing among the world Avar veterans representing the Englishspeaking Allies an organisation to promote liberty, pcacj and goodwill. Both Britain and America stand for liberty and peace, and in the late war made great sacrifices for these essentials, on which the welfare of the world depends. The manhood of these two super-democracies fought side by side against the devotees of the doctrine of might, and it would be the crowning glory of their success if/they joined hands and presented u solid front in the cause of peace and the betterment of world conditions. There is a fascinating appeal in the suggestion evolved at the conference. Much as the two great nations may differ on details and methods, in essentials they are one at heart and in aim. The first step is to crcatc a friendly atmosphere, not one that depends on artistic staging or the evanescent rays of a brilliant glamour but a union of hands, lier.its and effort in the noblest of all causes Obviously such a movement must have its origin and initial energy emanating from the penple,

and no better starling point can be imagined tliun an organisation of world-war English-speaking veterans who lravo been through the horrors of war and are thus in a far better position than others to realise to the full the blessings of peace. Necessarily a movement of this kind would take time to grow sufficiently strong to bring pressure on the governments concerned, but perseverance will conquer in the end. Whatever may be thought of the genesis of the scheme, there can be no two sane opinions «s to its worthiness of support. Even though America may nbt yet be prepared to take an active part in international affairs, there must come a time when she can no longer remain in a state of "splendid isolation," hence the need for some organisation that will prepare the way for a cooperative effort by the English-speak-ing races on behalf of humanity.