Milford chronicle., 1918-12-27
1870
THE PEACE OF FRANKFURT

THE PEACE OF FRANKFURT
The peace Of Versailles is about tC
undo the work OF the peace of Frank
furt. The Allies are gathering for q
punitive XpeditiOn-seveTe but de-
served and just.
In 1871 the process was reversed
France had exasperated Europe and
few wished her we'll Theirs, who had
just before the capitulation Of Paris,
made a hurried trip from one Euro
pean court TO another, came back 10
France aud reported that Europe was
not at home" This statement was true.
A generation ago Europe was no long
er al home TO French demands The
popular feeling of serves them right
was too strong with the masses to al
low any Interference with a defeat
which seemed an act OF righteous re-
tribution.
Sixty years before the first Napol-
con had transformed the old continent
along the pattern of the French reyo-
lutionary doctrines. incidentally he
mad plundered and stolen and murder
ed with the JOY and abandon of the
OsVperfect of Italian cOndottier
Two generations were to pass before
Europe began TO regain that economic
comfort which Napoleon had so ruth
!essly destroyed. Even then France
mad given no rest. a Kingdom had
succeeded the Empire, a Republic hal
followed the Kingdom. A new Empire
was built upon the corrupt ruins Of the
Republic. Another member of the
fNnrafQQft "a mil 10. al
a Dutch father and a German accentD
had rudely upset the peace of Europe
and had forced himself upon the wob-
bly, throne of his uncle over the bodies
OF his countrymen slaughtered by the
OF his own followers. !
Then had followed a period of un-
stable political enterprises, while the
Imperial adventurer tried to discover
a suitable balance for his dangerous
experiments. In the course of his
eyoiutions he had insulted everybody
the long-suffering United
Siates). When the game seemed up
he staked all on one final throw of the
lice. Unfortunately for the French
people the opponent of their Imperial
master was even a more accomplished
Bismark knew how TO play
4 crooked game as the best Napoleon
he Third was no match for him and
var must decide the final issue. The
Iept press of both nations provided
he popular enthusiasm. At the ac-
.urate and precise moment it turned )
uspicion into 'insulted national
onor". The stage was set for the 2
.reat struggle and the first shot was
red amidst the wild plaud.ts of both Z
berlin and Paris.
At once the rotten fabric of Napol-
on'S empire, built upon lies ani q
'holesale bribery, fell into hopeless ;
uin. After a short but decisive cam :
align the last French Emperor was q
prisoner in the castle at Wilhelm
chOche. Then the betrayed French 1
eople arose in their might. Without e
rganization and leadership they were u
elpless. Their bravery counted for e
othing and at Versailles the victor ].
'us Germans dictated their own terms r
the few men courageous enough to
Ssume the bankrupt inheritance of
ne dead NapOleonic tradition. "
There was no question of discussing "
rms, OF consulting the will of the u
7Ople. The Germans committed not d.
b act of retribution but one of re- -
7nge. Louis XIV had done this and( N
lat to them. Let France pay Ma
)leon the Firs; had done such ana
lch thing to them. Let France nj
iy. And son on untl the sum totai N
most destroyed France as one of A
urope's big nations. The French d.
eople were forced TO give up Alsace O.
I'd Lorraine. They were obliged to Il
ny an outrageous indemnity. Then fl
he Germans retreated and claimed fC
e slate TO be clean. in
Unfortunately, after this peace OF Is
rrorism and frightfulness. the slate M
as not clean a all 1t was more ca
uddled than ever before On the his ar
rical blackboard. two wrongs never h'
Z made a right. And the calculations ~
I'd the mathematical deductions OF q
e Peace of Frankfurt must be wiped Z
1t completely before any real prog
IS can be made. Then with fresh
ate and a new man of high visions
hdiing the chalk. the final ana lust ~
luton may be found IN,
Hendrix Willem van Loon. To