New-York tribune., 1919-05-13
LondonOpinionIs Is
Divided; Base
Hope ON League
Liberals and Conservatives
in Agreement That Terms
Do Not End War Dangers:
Guarantees Are Needed
Netp York Tribune
Special Cable Serytce


Copyright. 1919, New York Tribune IncD
LONDON, May 12-From viewing
the peace treaty merely as the final
word of the war and the embodiment
of Germany's punishment, England is
now beginning to consider the settle
ment from the viewpoint of its other
and true function, namely, the founda-
ton of the coming period of world
peace The treaty, it is admitted by all
parties here, we'll ends the war. The
punishment of Germany has been suffi-
GENTLY severe to satisfy the most ex-
treme demand.
But wherein lies the guarantee for
the future peace of the world?
In the league Of nations, say the
English Liberals.
In the Anglo French American alli-
ance against crushed but treacherous
Germany, say the Conservatives
In Socialism, says Labor.
Neither of the two great bodies of
opinion in Great Britain is fully salts
fed that the treaty itself is sufficient
Expect Foe to Repudiate
Even if Germany signs the docu-
ment we shall see her attempt to evade
and repudiate it as soon as she thinks
herself strong enough" the Conserya-
tives declare.
The Liberals, on the other hand. feel
that many parts of the treaty probably
impose unjust conditions, such as the
arrangements in regard to the Saa,
Valley and military occupation for
fifteen years, which is likely to result
undesirably, to the complete ruination
OF Germany. The former. therefore
see IN what is considered here "a de-
fenslve alliance" the best safepua rd
Tor the future. The hope is widely
expressed that Italy will enter the
alliance as we'll
That, to our thinking" says "The
Morning Post" "is the real guarantee
OF the peace of the world"
The Liberals believe that by includ
ing the covenant Of the league of ma
tions the statesmen who drew up the
treaty have laid the way open to recti-
ncatlon OF any wrong that may result
from the treaty. Unlike the Conserya-
tlves, they anticipate changes and re-
VISIONS IN the terms as result of
German counter proposals.
IF the first section of the draft of
the treaty containing the covenant of
the league can effectively be put into
operation the remaining sections, with
all their crudities and 'imperfections
and even injustice, after all, in com
parlson, are but of minor account"
says "The Daily News"
Happily the injustices of the treaty
DO not stand alone. In the forefront
OF the treaty is the covenant of the
league of nations. 1t is the contribu
tlon of America to the problem of max
ing the world secure against the catas-
trophies of the past. 1t is in the hope
that the vision held out by the league
OF nations will be realized that the
world awaits the momentous decisions
of the next few weeks"
Thus both bodies of opinion find
prospective balm for their dissatisfac-
tion with the treaty.
The third great body of opinion in
-labor-from the very first
expressed disapproval of the treaty. 1t.
too, has a constructive programme to
safeguard future peace, based upon
neither the league as it stands nor an
alliance, but upon proposal ITO make
the present league of governments into
true league of free peoples, uniting
within its organization all nations ire
spective of color, race or creed," with
Germany, Austria and Russia included
now and all armaments scrapped.