South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-29
SIGNING OF THE PEACE TREATY
AND THE ISSUE 1T NOW PLACES
SOUARELY BEFORE ALL AMERICA

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reality after weeks Of German maneuvering and
~ delay Is Of course one Of the greatest events
the worlds history Almost anyone would have enjoyed
the privilege being present the ceremony; al
most anyone. save perhaps few United states SEN
ators and politician brigands. who Jealous OF
their own absence. promise to do their very worst
20 repudiate the accomplishment
But the peace conference went ahead. REGARDLESS
of this American ranery. and prepared only the
treaty stage for the occasion, and the work
so far as Germany and the conference is concerned
Is done We told rugs OF great beauty. never
used before decorated the floors. Special tables and
chairs were chosen to form setting worthy Of the
event-and not a Lodge. or a Borah. Penrose.
or a Watson. or a New a Knox. a HI John
son. were there 70 desecrate the chairs.
The palace IN itself is one OF the most famous in
the world. II Is OF surprising beauty among
beautiful scenery. Built by Louis the Grand, it is
fitting symbol OF the glory and pride Of France.
Within walls much Of French history has been
made Here. as years ago. the vainglorious Prussian
was crowned master OF all Germany and France
yielded UP AIsace-Loraine fire great acquisition
OF all that world conquest which was the German
dream.
No place more suitable could be found to wit
the triumph OF France and allies.-but
now. having triumphed over Germany. with par
from certain big noises" in a position
triumph ourselves shall We through SEN
atorial lack Of ratification, assume the outawed
attitude, and position the nations OF the earth
hat has been Gernanys? No American can con-
sstently applaud Germanys signature to the treaty
unless he is OF a German mind incapable Of con-
sstency. and at the same time oppose the American
signature or the document to which it was at
tached
Germany having after her months of maneuver-
ing performed the inevitable, signed the treaty
presented her by the allies. IT now becomes an ap-
propriate topic for American discussion, but it
should be discussion upon the merits Of the docu-
ment II has been mainly up the present,
particularly with the League of Nations opponents,
discussion OF personalities It has been
tention from the start. and we repeat it, that the
treaty is good bad and the League of Nations
covenants good or bad. not because of the men
framed them, but because of the principles in
volved and the ends sought be attained, and the
fitness OF the machinery furnished, such a task
With the peace treaty signed. the United States
get down to business and determine what IL is
going to about the treaty in general and the
League OF Nations in particular Up this time
discussion has been rather chaotic largely uncalled
Cor and OF its order. tending issue
rather than clarity Indeed much Of it seems to
have been so intended. This has been particularly
true OF the discussion the United States senate
The treaty not in its final form, and was not
formally before the senate or the public It was
known In its main essentials but even those essen
tials made uncertain by partisan argument and
the lack OF organized authoritative explanations and
criticism.
Now the whole complex document IS to be sub
mitted 20 the American senate and people for ap-
prevail rejection. The president. who has had
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is coming home to explain and defend it In
teigent and purposefu discussion can start at once
It is document that should be studied The treaty
should be debated everywhere. For weeks possibly
for months. it viii be the main theme public and
private discussion It's important points will be
threshed as are the issues of big national
campaign stump, platform press and pulpit will all
play their part, but let be intelligent about it,
AS result. the public will soon know a great
deal moro about the principles involved and the
practical application OF them the treaty and the
for against various disputable parts
OF the document than knows today Little by little
public opinion now somewhat confused will clarity
The nation viii make up its mind. And as the ma
tons views become clear and definite congress
Will shape Its views accordingly-you can de-
pend upon that
AS the public decides. the senate will vote for
high and mighty a body as the United States
senate knows perfectly well that it is only the
servant OF the people and is powerless except as il
reflects their Will The taking or this issue before
the people IS good thing from every angle II is
the only to settle the issue satisfactorily for
America and for the world
All citizens owe 1t TO themselves and their coun-
try to follow the great debate so far as possible
with minds open to conviction shaping their opin-
ions not from prejudice, but from the merits OF
the case as set forth in this fun. free nnal dis
cussion now beginning. II one OF the most mo-
mentous problems the American people ever had TO
settle. and IL cannot be settled right without a
sta5esanlie attitude on the OF private citizens
wen as public servants