South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-23
The League of Nations and Germany
By Frank II. Simonds
Paris Correspondent

France. clear division in the peace oorrerer.a
itself
my first dispatch to America tl
Pres't Wilson's coming had great and abiding value
in that it stirred idealism all Europe add
ton. particularly in the OF England was po.-
tive perhaps permanent contribution % Anglo
American friendship. This think. remains true d..
it remains true with many notifications and quafc
tions since the time when I wrote il. Since then ,-
have framed the League of Nations which may or ms.
not make future impossible and a repetition az
the suffering of the last four and half years out of
question. But while have been framing that Laae..
of Nations all many problems that confront tle
peace conference the material and political sides
remain to be met The frontiers Of Poland
Professionally and Bohemia are at od .
in Slesia, Roumana and Serbia in Banat the ola q1,-
ton between the southern Slavs the italians
embered delay follows delay. syria has been per-
mitted TO become a real wedse between British ANA
French opinion.
NERVOUS TENSION Il
STILL VERY STRONG
The German followed what ne conceived no oe t.e
course Of the Paris conference and changed his tone
from whine a threat than three months
after Hndenburg had recommended Unconditols-
surrender the sole avenue Of escape from
dsaster-but a threat that soon subsidized prob
ably made more for home consumption than Hith hon-
intent.
1t Will be unfair unjust TO Prest Wilson
clusively or mainly responsible for what has happened
He could had he chosen, have brought The world 20
impose even unjust peace upon ierU
he could had ne chosen have procured provisional
cOmmOdatons in Of the gravest of the dtlculte7
before the conference. In whatever direction Doe chose
10 lead IN the direction OF Terminating the ha. nl-l
Germany a basis Of reparatIon restitution and
guarantee against future DANGERS. that would nj.
made France profteer. the French would have fo--
lowed him they had followed any man in their
history. But he decided stake AN upon the League
Of Nations, and he created the League of Notions. and
may be that this concentration viii prove n The e4
of great and lasting benefit mankind.
the other hand it is essential face the thing
it is in Paris Mr.. Wilson understand. conir-
back in three weeks with what purp0se man know
but should he come back from Anerlca Doe protabl.
Will resolved exercise his influence in the direction
Of quick settlement based upon reasoned and
pretending estimate OF the facts the present situa
ton; if he should back a champion II French
spokesman OF Czecho-Slovak integrity the proponer-
Of JugO-Slavic independence. friend ~ Eolnlan.
his service VIII be the greatest o. any llFlns man
making OF a just peace.
should be il stating the facts Z doubt e
any worked harder any task than ar Wilson
has worked his self imposed duty t the Paris
ference He neither spared himself in dee
avoided the responsibilities Of bis position. Tie
has worked for his League Of Nations with -inseness
OF purpose which viii main noteworthy lie has not
labored for a specific plan the League of Nations
A. have frequently said the document which has
rived the English than % Americans.
but for the idea OF the League of Nations. he has
labored necessarily and arduousy. II the Leasuc of
torcal estimate viii subtract anything .rom che credit
due Wilson.
Copyright. 1919