The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-09-26

After all what are those demands
Are they not merely an lnsistence to
return Immediately to the condition OF
complete and lasting peace
And TO obtain IL. the various work
mems organizations In England and
Italy as well as In France think ii
necessary to resort to force. n have
created among the working classes
what virtually arlount to a revolu-
tionary summons. Is that not sufti-
etent gauge of their i'm p~atience:
And supposing that we were to tell
them now that peace. for whose bless
ings they are clamouring SO loudly, is
as far away as ever That America
has refused to sign. That a new
peace must be negotiated and the nor
NAL conditions of life to which they
Sc pa~ssionately desire to return. are
once more indefinitely postponed II
IN consequence of the dissatisfaction
caused by such an event strikes were
10 break out in France and England
comparable to those in italy. would
not America have to shoulder the bur-
den of responsibilities
An OopSrsunity For Bol&hevisni
Iut what we fear above all, in such
a case. would be the attitude of the
B~olshevists. With what ardour and
enthusiasm woui they not seize this
opportunity OF telling the world that
capitaiistTc nations are incapable ST
giving peace TO the world.
We have even lately had reason to
severely criticize the imperialistic ton
denotes of the great nations, their am
bitton and rivalry. The secret de!ibera-
lions Of the Big Five have only too
clearly shown what a role hiSden in
terest played in the agreements so la
boriously arrived at, But at that time
the masses turned a deaf ear to all
criticism; they were impatient for a
settlement. Now that peace is here,
the public is confident that II can for
get Teschen. Fiumo. shantung. etc.
and turn once more to the reconstruct
ton of hearth and home.
What IL the largest and richest ma
ton. the nation that has suffered least
and can therefore more easily assume
the role OF arbitrator. should suddenly
refuse TO guarantee the fruits Of a VIC
tory she has go largely brought about
To what conclusion can we come,
Unless it be that the most liberal de-
mocricies are unable to throw off the
chains Of the past and that only the
Simultaneous revolt Of the p%roletariat
ran definitely enc national egoism ?
Such is the danger which threatens
rot only European politics but all
anciety, were America to refuse to
ratify the treaty. This Is probably
something Americans have not real
lied.
Danger Is Universal.
Whether they wish to acknowledge
IL or not the senate finds itself face
TO face with a problem thai is not
Iurely American but universal, 1t
IL not a question of knowing Just how
binding President Wilson's signature
IS to the forty-eight states Of the
Union. II is a question Of knowing
whether Europe will be plunged into
4 state social chaos.
And IL some American were tempt
ed to say, What is the Old World 10
us.' We could ne longer understand
him. For why should the American
people have SACRIFICED their men and
millions without stint to render the
world safe for democracy" II after.
v ards they deliberately abandon 1t to
chaos and Bolshevisnn What would
have been the meaning OF their cru
sade2 and what is the meaning OF
their present indifference?
After all, a nation that has len.
Europe nor than a hundred billion
cannot lose al interest in tho future
OF their debtors; a people whose ex-
ports come to more than twenty Bill
lion a veal above their imports can
not afford to snap its fingers at the
rest of the world: even the Monroe
Doctrine cannot prevail against this
fnct.
The new world Is now merely a part
OF the old one. War a 81 developed
the United States that a decision OF Its
senate made independently can quite
Upset the old continent. This is a siGn
OF Americas responsibility as we'll as
"a her power. ss
Before the scnate takes the final
step. Europe hopes that It will con
,sider the far-rcaching4 consequences
Eof Its decision. Neither a 1t allow
the world to suffer without being In
'ycived IN the ruin