Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-08
The Peace Treaty


versary Of the sinking Of the Lusi-
tania.
On that day terms Of peace laid
down by the fve allied and associat-
ed powers were handed to Germany
--27 powers to one.
The act that brought punishment
to Germany was committed four
years ago yesterday. Yesterday she
was told the cost.
Whatever our convictions as to
the conduct Of the peace conference,
or our Judgment Of the terms. all
know that Germany's campaign Of
terrorism aroused America when the
Lusitania was sunk. We have talked
much of higher purpose, the saving
Of oppressed peoples. making the
world safe for democracy. and all
that, but down in every American
heart lies the horror of the Lusitania
calling for--well, what you will. JUS
tice or revenge.
The Journal is able to give its
readers a 12,O00-word summary of
the treaty, this morning. But as the
full text is approximately 10000
words. the provisions BADLY outlin-
ed should not be hastily judged.
Some Of the provisions look pleas
ing-if .hey can be enforced. We are
glad TO see the practical disarma-
ment of Germany and the promise of
reduction Of military arms Of other
nations. We rejoice in the left bank
Of the Rhine provisions the return
of .Alsace-Lorraine to France. the
MISREPRESENTATION Of the Sarre val
ley and of Danzig. the surrender Of
all territory of Germany outside Eu
rope, the ceding of upper Silesia to
Poland, and especially do We APP
prove the provision that allied occu-
patton of parts Of Germany shall con-
tinue till reparation is made.
cable from Paris, Wednesday.
says that the German delegates say
they will sign the treaty. but that
Germany will not pay an indemnity.
That is, beyond question. the deter
mination Of the German leaders and
people. Whether they will get away
with it" or not remains to be seen.
On that point rests the success or
failure Of the victors.
If Germany has won over the other
powers by playing on the IA strings OF
wisconsin that halted Foch on the
eve Of overwhelming military victory,
and by injecting Wilsonisms wher-
ever the greed and jealousies Of tho
allied and associated powers pre-
scented opportunity. then Germany
will sign the peace treaty and treat
1t as scrap of paper
Congress may not agree to the
terms offered Germany. The British
parliament may not accept. France,
Italy and Japan have made reserva-
tious. Portugal takes exceptions.
Will Germany pay. or will she ma
neuver to make the collection Of in
IDENTITIES cost more than their val
uc regardless Of cost to herself? We
believe her hatred Of all humanity
opposed to her sufficient to under
take anything that does not promise
to skin Germany and her people alive.
She is just as "repentant" as that
and no more.
If the peace treaty has put bull
ring in the nose Of Germany and pro-
vides power to twist it at any time
until all Germany writhes in mis-
cry, then the peace treaty may be
other than a scrap Of paper to the
German control. Otherwise Germany
has won at Versailles what she lost
in France and Belgium last summer
and fall
This summary Of the treaty does
not reveal the bull-ring.s
But President Wilson has cabled a
call for Congress to convene in ex-
rraordinary session on Monday, May
10. and Americas statesmen will
then variously interpret the scope
land power Of the Versailles docu-