The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-11-30
See Hun Menace.


But no one should mistake the OPP
portunittes which the Germans will have
to break up the unity of their enemies,
If the congress assemblies with no clear
program in the minds Of the allied rei'-
resentatives n no well defined under
standing as to which comes first, the
settlement OF the present war or the
prevention Of future wars. Talleyrand
had the congress of Vienna by the ears
In no time, although he represented a
beaten France and had been barely a
year before the agent or the abhorred
Napoleon. Surely Prince Won Bulow, If
he is called upon to perform the task
for which he has been preparing for
Tour years, will have "a hardly less at
tractive opening.
To take, for example, a single ques-
ton, that Of the freedom of the seas.
This either means some sort OF inter-
national understanding which will limit
the operations of the dominant sea
power in time Of war or 1t means no.
thing, If It means the FORMER, then 1t
will unquestionably be opposed by the
British and supported by the Germans.
Sea power used without regard to in
ternattonal law as written before the
era OF the submarine and in defiance
Of the rules Of blockade, which were
based upon the conditions Of sail navi-
cation. has defeated Germany inc saved
the world, quite as much as Great
Britain. from German domination,
Such being the case, II is certain that
the British nation will not now. what
ever might be the case a generation
hence II the league or nations shall
demonstrate Its efficiency, yield In n
degree that power which alone has
proved its salvation. But II Britain
iefuses, and Germany accepts q pro-
posal coming from President Wilson,
what will be the effect upon American
iepi ~esentatives at Versailles; what will
be the effect upon the whole congress
4 the questions Of reparation and resti-
tuition remain unsettled while the con-
Lless divides over the freedom Of the
seas?
l think every one of any humanitarian
syrnpathies hopes to see evolved at YER
sailles some form of international
agreement which may prove the France
work for a true league Of nations, and
a real guarantee against international
MISUNDERSTANDING, which eliminate In
cNltably In wars. The danger which Is
apparent to many today Is the danger
that is disclosed In tho Inevitable con-
fusion which will result II. before the
present war Is l~iquidated, the condi-
tons Of a future international associ-
alton become the cause of differences,
debate, estrangement, between the ma
tions who have won this wal only by
seeking a ommon n by a unity of
thought and Of action.
But II tne COlultlOH, anu INC only
condition, OF a league Of nations be to
make a peace with Germany which
will make the victims of German ag-
gression and violence IN the past four
years bear the eventual burdens OF that
aggression then 1t seems to me that
the price Is too high. And the danger
Is very real. Nor Is there less danger
that we may be brought to the position
of seeking to lessen the effectiveness
In Britain's hands of the oue weapon
on which our victory In this var de-
pended, namely, the British navy. OPP
Grating without regard to conventions,
regulating the freedom OF the seas"
Even Utopia would be intolerable II
In 1t only the red handed murderer
we're to have immunity from the con-
sequences OF his recent crimes. merely
because he had changed his name or
his employer. More than this, we hear
much today Of a healing peace" and
certainly every one hopes that we shall
have this blessing. But eve a healing
peace must be designed first to heal
the wounds Of the innocent victims be-
fore II strives to cure the wounds Of
those who we're injured seeking to MUIR
der their neighbors. And II any one lie
to bleed to death, to Follow the figure
OF speech, It certainly should not be
the ONE and children OF France and
Belgium.
Copyright, 1913, Tribune Association.