New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-01
A Momentous Conference

Prussia, Austria and RUSSIA met al
Chaumont in the closing days Of February,
1914. no war congress on European soil
has had an Importance comparable with
that which is now to take place at YER
saillcs. At Chaumont the Allies met under
the shadow of defeat; Montmirail,
Champaubert and Vauchamps had just
been fought and Napoleonic genius had
given a final proof Of its capacity. Even
at the hour the conference gathered there
were unmistakable signs that Prussia,
whose army had just been routed, and
Austria, which had suffered heavy defeat,
were ready to retire from French soil and
to make craven peace.
But Alexander of Russia and the British
representative, Lord Castlereagh, had
neither lost heart nor hope. Under their
influence there was drafted a treaty which
determined the fate of Napoleon. By the
terms of this treaty the four Allies bound
themselves to fight on until France was
restored to her ancient limits, those of
1892, and to make this fight each nation
pledged itself to keep 10000 men in the
field while Britain promised in addition
a great financial contribution. This Treaty
of Chaumont was signed on March l. The
end of the month saw the Allies in Paris,
and on April Napoleon abdicated.
1t is for the new allied congress, assem-
bling in the face of new Napoleonic peril,
assembling after long years of struggle
against a common danger, to repeat the
decisions of the congress of Chaumont. 1t
is for the new allies to make another
agreement, which shall establish for
themselves and for the world the essential
fact that this war is to be fought until
the enemy is defeated, until the danger
that has so long threatened all of us is
abolished, until Germany is returned to
those limits which correspond to the limits
Of France in 1892, the limits which are
rightfully and justly hers.
The new congress, like the old, is war
congress. 1t is a meeting called in the
face of the enemy. It's sole purpose is to
coordinate the military plans of four great
nations and many smaller states, all of
which are fighting for a single purpose,
all of which have been brought together
by the menace to their existence which
Germany in her present temper consti-
tutes. The congress is met to consider
war, not peace; to organize victory, not
to debate peace terms.
In the Napoleonic time Europe met Ma
poleon many times to talk peace. After
each Napoleonic success Europe assembled
to make fresh concessions. For ten years
of the empire before Chaumont one ar
rangement after another had been de-
stroyed by the ambition and arrogance of
the great Emperor. 1t was not until after
Moscow that Europe at last recognized
that only in common action was there
prospect of deliverance. 1t was not until
after dresden that the whole Continent
took arms in a common struggle.
Since Napoleon was what he was, there
never was any possibility of permanent
peace in Europe while he stood unde-
feated. Until Germany is defeated there
will be no peace in Europe. And until all
those who are threatened by Germany
unite. as did the victims of Napoleon,
there can be no German defeat. We may
make a new Peace of Amiens or another
agreement of Tisit. Other European
states may now initiate Russia and make
separate peace with the German, as
Austria, Russia and Prussia in their turn
made not one but several peaces with Ma
roleon. But in the end the experience
will be the same, for the conditions are
the same. Europe to-day faces an appe-
lite and an ambition like to the Napole
onic, although they are the collective pos
session of a nation rather than Of one man.
From these there is only one escape, just
as there never has been in human history
more than one escape.
President Wilson has wisely sent the
representatives of the United States 10
discuss war, and not peace. The new
Prime Minister Of France represents the
will 10 win in France precisely as Lloyd
George represents British determination to