The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-04-16
PEACE CRISIS
REACTION OF
ALLIES FROM
U. S. CONTROL
Sunonds Reviews Near Break
Between English, and
French Premiers and Presi-
dent Wilson Over Terms.
FRENCH GAIN DEMANDS
BY FRANK H. sIMONDs.


the Paris conference passed through
IN the first two weeks of April must be
for the American audience, far re-
moved from the actual circumstance
of European affairs, something of
mystery. To present picture OF this
crisis from distance is difficult, since
the American share in the making Of
peace has become in America,
matter of domestic politics, and the
simplest narration Of facts will be
suspected of having political pur-
pose. Yet the truth Is that in this
period, and growing out Of the Euro
pean feeling with respect of American
influence in Euprope, there was an
unmistakable reaction, the conse-
quences of which still endure and will
have continuing influence in Paris.
The Policy Of England.
Very early in my correspondence
and French publics with respect to
the making of peace. British senti-
ment, as it was then apparent, was
concentrated on making better basis
of understanding with the United
States for the future and in taking ad-
vantage of the association Of our coun-
sure permanent friendliness and CO.
operation in the world. English states
men came to Paris with the avowed
purpose of cooperating with America
and with the American President. par
ticularly in the formation OF the
league Of nations which was the main
purpose in the mind Of Mr.. Wilson.
English policy in Europe and out OF 1t
Of OF crJhNrdinQfQd
in the minds of British statesmen to
the idea of association for the future
between the United States and Great
Britain.
French sentiment at the same time.
while recognizing clearly the need of
American support, and placing just
and generous value on American aid
in the past and upon American under
standing in the future, was not less
fixed on two vital problems for
France: Security against Germany on
the north, against Germany in the fut-
ure. when she might be strong and
hostile, and reparation for the devas-
tation and destruction which Germany
had wrought in France during the
war. The French security and repara-
ton were a matter of life and death.
To them all else was necessarily sub
ordinated.
There was danger from the very
start. therefore, that as England and
America more and more closely CO.
operated in framing the league OF ma
tions in devoting their time and effort
to the formation of principles which
Mr.. Wilson had indicated without for
mulating, the French would feel them
selves abandoned, their vital interests
subordinated or ignored, and that
there would be in time bitterness, sus-
picion. profound sadness and depres-
sion. 1t was inevitable that II the
French felt their great sacrifice in the
war were to leave them poorer and
weaker there would be national pro-
test and national resentment against
both Great Britain and the United
States.
League Business First.
Now substantially what happened
was this: From the time the peace
conference opened until the departure
of the President for the United States
late in February, the main business
before the conference was the cove
nant of the league of nations. Com
n,issions were appointed to deal with
They proceeded to work; their reports
were not completed when Mr.. Wilson
went home. and it would hardly be
fair to say that up to this point the
Ieapue of nations had delayed deus
sion Of material questions except as
both British and French had consent.
ed to Law aside material questions and
take UP first the moral issues lnVoi'eo
I'm the league of nations.
During Mr.. Wilson's absence, many
is not all of the commissions COM
Melted their labors and prepared their
reports: a program for disposing OF
practically all material matters was
IN hand when Mr.. Wilson returned. 1t
was expected that without further
debate over the league Of nations, the
Conference would turn its attention to
disnosing of material questions, the
league of nations having been accept
cd in principle, and a provisional COW
enant having been presented, Europe
expected early in March that with no
further long delays, preliminary peace
,,uld be made with Germany without
further discussion of the league or
nations, until all questions were final
Nv considered and disposed OF.
Immediately on his arrival in Eu-
rome. Mr.. Wilson destroyed this pro-
gram, which had been accepted on De
half of America by E. M. House, and
insisted that the league of nations GOV.
enant should be revised and included
in the preliminary treaty OF peace
with Germany. The result was the
total collapse of the program that mad
been prepared, and very general pro-
test among the European nations,
which amounted to nothing because
the English once more stood squareiy
behind Mr.. Wilson. But while this
confusion resulting from the upsetting
of the program was still substantial
circumstance, Bolshevism occupied
Hungary and began its march to the
Black Sea. Moreover, it became per-
fectly clear that, following the exam
fr~n<{nu>d m Dana Eiohtl