The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-05-17

except in the narrowest sense. because
II settes nothing. It only arranges a
meInod OF settlement. It leaves II for
me future TO enforce terms. II al.
Jures, IN all essential cases, with minor
the liquidation which hitb-
SISo nas promptly followed war. There
IoIe II IS impossible now to 60 beyond
y statement that II the terms Of
peace can be enforced and are enforced
IL 10 a Just peace. But IL NAV he a
g~eneratlon, granted that Germany does
accept the treaty of peace, before any
oody can measure its real value,
tnere Is a third circumstance of
as drafted represents three thoroughIJ
instinct points OF view-American, Brit.
ism, continental, The American point of
view was comprehended in the presi-
dents insistence on the league OF ma
ions as a basis of peace. The British
vas comprehended in a dominating de-
sire 10 preserve and expand Anglo
American friendship, and the only less
controlling necessity of preserving in
inmate association with France as guar
antee against possible German agrees
sion In the future. The French point
OF view was one in which security and
Teperatlon were prevailing motives.
Looklhg 70 the future, France was in
capable OF relying upon any paper ar
rangement, any still untried experiment
IN international association, to protect
her from a new invasion, and she was
bankrupt and ruined unless Germany
were compelled to pay for reconstruct
ton In her ten devastated departments.
n conflict Of these three points of
view was immediate, inevitable, and
has dominated the whole peace situa-
ton. AS a result we have a compro-
mise, a compromise to be criticized. as
all compromises must be, as a sacrifice
Of essential principles of all three con-
fllcting elements. Mr.. Wilson's Amer
lean ideal of peace, without bitterness
for the future, has been modified al
most out of existence by the economic
burdens placed upon Germany, burdens
which ought of right to be placed upon
her, but as they mean long-standing
economic servitude of the country will
unquestionably promote as great Bit
terness as did the annexation of ter
r1tory In other The theory that
Germany would recognize her sins and
accept her loss in a spirit of meekness
will not stand the light of day. 1t is,
after all, in a sense ridiculous to i'm
agine that however just the sentence
passed upon Germany, it will seem I'M
just to the Germans, since it reduces
them to a second-rate industrial coun-
try for an indefinite period of time.
II Is unnecessary to linger over other
compromises. To the imperative de-
mand Of the British colonies, Mr.. Will
son has yielded and accepted the man
datory system which, in fact,
a transfer of German colonies in the
main to the British empire. Such con-
ditions as are put upon this transfer
are illusory. The truth Is that Britain,
France and Japan will hold the Ger
man colonies as they mold their own
and as far as Germany is concerned
and this is the capital poInt-she loses
them completely and without hope Of
restoration.
Other Compromises.
The same is true of compromises of
the Saar and Danzig. Germany loses
both territories, the first for a period
of time with the possibility that the
loss will be permanent, the second per-
manently, but in each case acquisition
by one OF Germans enemies is in def
erence to Mr.. Wilson's contention. He
hedged about SC as to preserve the
issue and the cause of the difficulty
indefinitely.
So far the territory to be taken from