The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-12-04
Belief Of Andre Chera-
dame, French Publicist.
Visiting America.
URGES c AUTION
Peace Discussions Will
Not Be One of Weeks.
Mistake Would Be
Costly.

Washington. Dec :--Andre Chera
dame. eminent French publicist and
leader Of the school which commended
that the war would he won in the
Balkans visited the state department
and met leaders of the senate today.
Because he has been so uniformly
correct in his predictions of the trend
of world events and because he has
studied at first hand the many races
and nations concerned in the recon
struction pending in Europe his views
Of the coming conference at Versailles
were received with deep interest.
In discussing the au' stions of pri-
mary Importance to come before the
conference. Mr.. Cheradame said;
America does not yet realize the
great costs of the war
II is for this reason that her citi-
zens show little interest in the ques-
tions Of reparation. which today are
heard on every side in European coun-
tries. The cost Of the war has been
the allies. And Germany must pay
these costs. r. she does not pay the
costs we have lost the war.
1t Is because there are idea,ist views
in circulation and because feel that
lasting peace is possible only by the
enforcement OF practical business
measures. that | feel the question of
FcpdHA11On- It's extent It's terms ana
the measures by which IL shall be en-
forced comprise the greatest question
to be faced at the opening Of the peace
conference.
''The conference will not he mat
ter or~weekS We must go very slowly
to be sure that make no mistakes.
1t would be so easy. in trying to save
a few weeks time. TO make mistake
which IL Would coss great sums and
h&Yvv3 ur ~ tAAA a
must be idealists In conserving the
questions Eurone faces. but we must
NJ udy history and We nruet us~ practt-
cal methods in cnsurinK an enduring
peace. think that peace will not be
signed for several months after the
opening OF the plenaries.
AS 10 the questions involved in the
geographic changes contemplated there
will OF course be differences. But there
is no indlca tion. that SUCH differences
cannot be readily al tusfhd% -
II helss W that Rr1isin. y n take NE
German colonies: except perhaps one
which adJoins French territory in South
Africa think the French will be
given that territory.
IMsernaticnalixe Constantinopt~.
II believe that there IS little doubt
that Constantinople will he interna-
|tiona1txed and the port made free to
all nations.
II am mot in agreement with the
lrenorts that certain leaders of France
favor an extension of French territory
tn the Rhine. France is not i'm
periaiistie: she has no desire for ter
ritory. Moreover the land to the
south of the Rhine is peopied by the
Germans and could never be made
French. France can achieve the return
to her normal power and strength only
By the fruits OF victory that must be
given through the reparation which the
German nation must pay
Il have spent years in the near east
ern countries of Europe. am con-
WINGED that the Czecho-Slav republic
will stand. They are a very smart
people and will obey the laws of their
country
II think. too. that the Jugc-Slav re-
public will be created and will be-
come a strong nation. know there
have been reports that France would
! sustain Italy in the latter's contention
that the restoral of land to Italy VIII
include Trieste and Fiume. There IL
no evidence that Italy's requests tor
Trieste will he denied by the confer
ence but ! think her new borders will
| not include Ftume. which Is necessary
| for n way to the sea for the Jugo-
! Slav republic. the Hungarian and the
tCxecho-Slav people.
Tho Russian situation IS not clear
To my mind. 1t will be best for allied
trocps to enter Russia from every