Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-12-24
Tuesday. December "a, 1918.
Naming the Peace Terms

taken as n fact to be counted upon
in all analyses. that the peace terms
ere going TO be largely written by the
nations that have suffered from the
war. that have lived for generation
under the shadow of war. and that in
the future will have to live as near
Heighbors to the people who were re-
sponsble for the war just ended, and
who arc still unrepentant.
The United States. with its safety
practically secured by 5000 miles Of
water and it's vast and varied food
products and great wealth Of every
thing needful, including genius, will
have comparatively little to say about
the terms imposed on Germany. And
why should she?
Britain an1 France and Belgium
and Italy are more deeply DESTROYS Of
dependable peace conditions in Eu
rope than are we. and now that they
have met the dragon and he is theirs,
they may be counted upon to make
the terms and the provisions suffi-
GENTLY strong to satisfy the most ex-
acting American.
It was courteous and just. and all
that. to urge America to participate
in the peace settlement but not to
90, l,,y ;,,o-
full. Il was all very fine and happy
that we should pat ourselves on the
back for the part we played in saw
ing humanity and unseating autocra-
cy and it was according to tradi-
tons that the Democratic party and
George Creel should tell the people
that the distinctly deserving decided
j. Democratic President was going
over to name the conditions, while
Lloyd George and Clemen ceau should
write 'em down. But all that is pure
brag and bunko. for political pur-
poses.
The fact that England. France. and
Italy will dominate the peace con-
ference does not mean that the inter-
cgts OF the United States viii suffer
thereby. Those countries we'll know
,hat the end Of the war was FASTENED
and victory made secure for the allies
by the Intervention OF America. They
TO the United States not only in a
sentimental way but intrinsically to
the extent Of about seven billion dol
lars. Those considerations will in
sure for this country not only fair
but generous treatment in the con-
ference.
Says a well known diplomat THE
United States must concede and it's
citizens generally. with the exception
Of Mr.. Wilson. do concede. that the
problems Of the peace table relate
essentially to Europe. The only
question in which we have an inter-
EST ~ "A disarmament OF Germany
that Will render her impotent to dis
turb again the peace Of the world
The other points in the treaty will
deal with Europeans boundaries, in
IDENTITIES and reparations. none Of
which concerns this country in the
least.
pt.s, -
many may be left safely to the allies,
who can do 1t far more ffect,ia,iy
alone than il interfered with by Will
sonian ideals. And they know it,.
They also know that the settlement
OF European state boundaries is mono
of our business and they will not
consent to interference on that score
from Mr.. Wilson. 1t may be oaid
that IL the proposed league OF nations
enters into the treaty the United
States will have a very vital interest
in that document. That Is true, but
the allies know that in order to give
force TO such n league the treaty must
first be ratified by the United States
Senate. representing the American
people. and with that thought in
mind the interests Of this country will
bc dealt with very considerably"
Secure in his White House study
Mr.. Wilson serenely reached certain
conclusions from cabled news Of the
world war. With his mind filed with
his deductions he went to Paris intent
on dominating a peace conference
whose other members have lived
through four long years Of war. have
seen and suffered with their people,
and who know at first hand OF hor-
rors. the repetition Of which they
seek now to prevent. 1t is ridiculous
to suppose for a moment that they
will allow Mr.. Wilson's forgive-and-
forget policies to interfere with the
proRrnm they have mapped out.