Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-11-01
TRADITIONS OF VERSAILLES

~ . events r Shaping themselves at Ver-
saines this week. The little town. just eleven miles out
Of Paris. has suddenly become the scene Of what may de-
velop into one Of the series of climaxes which have
characterized the world drama during the last four
years. Representatives of the United States and all
the Entente powers are gathering at the Trianon palace
to take the first step toward settling the destinies Of
continents for an UNNECESSARILY long time to come.
They are not there to negotiate peace or to enter into
even preliminary discussions Of peace. They are there
to dictate their terms which. whether they are volun-
tarily accepted or not, will be adhered to by enemies
who are even now beginning to realize that it will be
futile to fight against them.
It is not the first time that the United States Is in
terested in what is going on at Versailles. for it was in
this town Of French imperial glory that the Revolution
ay war was finally ended. On September 3, 1888, the
treaty Of peace between the United States and Great
Britain was signed here, which means that, in a certain
sense. Versailles is the cradle Of not only American
democracy. but Of all democracy which has since been
based. more or less consciously, more or less directly,
upon the principles for which the fathers of this country
gave up their lives.
It is but fitting that America is represented today
ut Versailles where the future fate Of democracy is to
be determined.
The last time Versailles held a conspicuous place
in the minds of the worlds nations was when on Janu-
airy IS. 1871, Emperor William l.. grandfather of the
present ruler Of war-mad Germany. proclaimed himself
sovereign Of victorious and united Germany. The unity
Of many Teuton nations had just been accomplished.
ana At the feet OF the new emperor lay France bleeding.
suffering and, withal, proud in her anguish : Any terms
It might please the sef-appointed ruler of Germany to
impose were to be accepted. One Of then. was the loss
of Alsace-Lorraine.
And now, ~ years later, Alsace-Lorraine is again
one Of the issues to be settled. 1t is not to be discussed.
No German emperor is standing in the magnificent
"salle' to receive the homage of a score Of princes. No
German flags are seen, no spiked helmets are in evil
dence, no imperial standards are fluttering in the au-
tumn air. There is not a sign of Germany in Versailles
today-except a prayer for cessation of hostilities. and
there is no emperor to proclaim himself lord and mas
ter OF Germany and Central Europe. The present en-
peror-or whatever he may be at this time-is abjectly
waiting to hear the judgment about to be pronounced
upon him. -..
The voice Of Justice, of civilization. Of democracy
will be heard presently 1t will be a voice whose mean
ing cannot be misunderstood, and whatever is said will
represent the best thought, the highest aspirations, the
soundest ideals of the entire world. i&.
Times may change. History may repeat itself-but
1t often reverses itself as can be seen in Versailles now.
On January %. 1871, Paris capitulated in conse-
quence Of German victories. In November, 1918. the
erstwhile German victqrs are ready, it appears. to capt.
ulate. And, for the time being, alrs eyes are looking
in the direction Of Versailles, not to see a. glimpse of
Louis XIV. or Of Napoleon or of the emperor of Ger
1nanys glorious age. but to behold in the fun daylight
OF modern civilization the men of France. of England,
OF America there assembled to safeguard the future of
the world. 5 -. KS
Small wonder If the shades Of departed princes are
fitting uneasily about the corridors of, Trianon these
days! Af - IL