South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-09-11
Other Editors Than Ours
MIR. KNOWS ENORMITY.
washington Post.)

It remained for Sen. Knox former attorney gem
eral and former secretary of state of the United
States to assure some 100000 of American SOL
diers and sailors that the sacrifices they made in
overthrowing German autocracy and Prussian mill
tarism have resulted in "a cruel peace" Sen. tnox's
latest speech against the League of Nations advo
eating il did, the rejection OF the pending treaty
and the substitution of and Independent pact
between Germany and this country, is susceptible of
no other Interpretation.
From the premise that this peace-which Ameri-
blood valor made pOssible-s harsh and
indefensible, Sen. Knox argues TO the conclusion
that should cancel the present treaty and make
another which will relieve Germany Of the Obliga-
tons and limitations upon the enforcement Of which
alone the world be insured against a second
barbaric outbreak upon her part We have been
harsh, says Sen. Knox, to the Germany that
cocted and prosecuted the ferocious attack
ever made upon civilization. We have right TO
bind hands of this monster of militarism, he
tells in effect and contends that to guarantee
Germanys willing acceptance OF her defeat we
should her like a victor.
Is the reconstruction of Belgium act OF harsh
ness on the part of the allies including the United
States a cruelty Germany? Is the restitution
of Alsace-L Lorraine TO France injustice the
Prussian aggressOrs who took II as the spoils of
war? Is the rehabilitation of Poland, which the i'm
perial ancestor OF Kaiser Wilhelm II helped to
parcel among his contemporary autocrats Aus
tria and Russia, infringement of German rights?
Is the guarantee OF autonomous government for
Schleswig- Holstein. raped from inoffensive
helpless Denmark outrage upon German sover-
eighty Is Frances temporary control OF the Saar
struction of cathedralS schools hospitals mines
yards. forests. fields and homes in a fifth of the
French domain which by a ruthless
Prussian horde a wrongful deprivation OF German
proprietorship? Is the esta bshment of the new
European states-the liberation Of small nations
from depotsm of the German and Austro- Hun
Garian empires crime against Prussian super
iority?
Well, these are some fruits OF American
participation in the war-a few OF the benefactions
which the pending treaty purposes 10 guarantee and
perpetuate. the expense of Germany, enough
but for the advantage OF dozen other peoples To
undertake now negotiate a treaty with Ger
many-if the American nation would for
ment contemplate preposterous adventure
would be ALLEVIATE ourselves from former
associates IN the war; 10 deal with foe grown
10 months stronger than when he laid down his
arms and the alternative OF surrendering
most of what now stand possessed of fighting
alone TO enforce our claims
Let the New York Tribune. inveterate repub-
lcan organ and persistent opponent OF the League
OF Nations, estimate the effect Sen.
Knox's speech After pointing out that IL is now
the mission OF German propaganda 10 beget the i'm
preston that Germany has been despoted the
Tribune saws:
"It Is not agreeable 70 have il possible for Ger
many as she laborS create sympathy for her
self able quote the words OF OF our best
American public in support OF her claims o:
mistreatmeut
II a partisan spokesman Of Mr. Lodges repub-
lican allies IN attacks upon the treaty and the
League OF Nations ventures th9t close indict
nent of sen EnoNs Apprehension what viii our
100000 veterans say2