The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-04-23
STEPS TOWARD PEACE PACT
ARE REVIEWED BY S|M0NDS
BY FRANK n. slMoNps.

BY FRANK n. SIMONDs.
PARIS, April 23.-Recently l re-
viewed the circumstances of the
greatest crisis of the Paris conference,
and discussed the manner in which
the British prime minister was COM
PEELED by public sentiment in his coun-
try to change front and support the
legitimate claims of France. 1t re-
mains now to indicate the successive
steps by which we have reached what
must be regarded. on the whole, as a
thoroughly satisfactory accommoda-
ton of the differences of opinion
which temporarily prevented progress
toward peace.
Basis Of Real Peace.
At all times, 1t was certain that the
basis of real peace must be the Sc
curity of France, and no one so elo-
quently proclaimed this necessity as
the President himself in one Of his
earlier speeches in France. But in the
progress of negotiations, the settle
ment of the just claims of France was
postponed, while English and Amer1-
can purposes were discussed and act
ed on. Thus the transfer Of German
colonies to Great Britain under man
datory system and the formulation OF
the principles of the league of nations,
which, under Mr.. Wilson's guidance,
comprehended American desires, had
reached an almost permanent settle
ment, while France found herself
without any adequate assurance OF
reparations for devastation in her ter
ritories, relief from the immense bur-
den of pensions placed on her finances
by the German attack and what was
of even more importance guaranty
against future attack by Germany.
Until these things were settled sat
isfactorily to France, there could be
no prospect Of peace and no prospect
of settlement.
Mr.. Wilson, with his attention fixed
on the league of nations. was perhaps
slow to understand that no French,
nor for that matter, British govern
ment could endure which placed on
French and British taxpayers all the
burden of paying for the German at
tack, save that part Immediately COM
pretended in PREPARATIONS for devasta-
lions.
We had for a week natural COLI
sion between Mr.. Wilson's idealistic
conception of peaceful settlement
under the league of nations, which
would be self-guaranteeing, the
French demand for settlement which
should be guaranteed by the allies of
France in the last war, and the Eng
lish attitude, which lacked conference,
but seemed to incline rather to Mr.
Wilson than to the French.
Opinion Causes Shift.
AS I pointed out, the voice of the
English people suddenly made itself
heard, compelling the British prime
minister to take his stand with the
French and restoring the situation In
which the rights of the French and
the aspirations of the Americans could
both find an equal place in the treaty
OF peace. 1t remains to set forth the
compromise from which Is coming
assurance of agreement and invita-
ton to the Germans to come to Yer
sailles. Substantially, this is what
has been agreed on: Mr.. Wilson's
league of nations, with its amend
ments designed to meet American cri-
ticism, has been accepted, by the Paris
conference, but this league of nations
settlement has been fortified by two
guarantees, one precise, the other con-
tingent.
The British have agreed that if the
Germans shall violate the terms Of
peace as they have been agreed on and
send troops across the Rhine, the Brit
ish army will move forth to the con-
tinent to the support of France. Mr..
Wilson has promised to appeal to the
American senate to give similar
pledge for America. He has not gone
outside his constitutional rights. He
has made no promise which would
subject him to criticism. He has done
nothing but promise to place the stu
alton before the senate and ask 1t to
agree to underwrite the treaty to be
signed by the Germans, as the British
have already promised to underwrite
il.
Two Conditions Of Peace.
We have thus at last two conditions
of peace, essential in many minds,
brought into harmony. We have the
American idea. that is. President VIII
sons conception of the league of ma
tons which would be guaranty
against war adopted in accordance
with his desire by the Paris confer
ence and bound to be included in the
treaty of peace. We have on the other
hand recognition of the French de-
mand that there should be assurance,