The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-01
ALLIED COUNCIL MAY
ACT IN FIUME CASE
Continued from First Pogo.

Continued from First Pogo.
Ukraine. thereby welding a ring of iron
around Germany. according to the best
accepted principles of the old diplomacy,
II she IL assured of a strong Rhineland
frontier and membership in a strong
League Of Nations. backed by the United
Statea
Careful consideration has led to the
general conclusion that in some essential
respects a Polish alliance would not be
as favorable AZ at FIRST II seemed to
promise. For some time Poland will be
greatly weakened by the German ravages
during the war. while its people are in
experienced in self-sovernment and ap-
pear to be inclined to Socialism, 30 that
the value Of Poland as an ally IN war
would be much less than was supposed.
One great weakness of the scheme for
Polish alliance would be that Germany.
enclosed in the Franco-Poiish pincers,
naturally would seek an ofrsetting al
lance with Russia, thus checkmatine the
French and putting Poland between the
pincere. There is considerable menace
Of future wars in the plan II L. note
worthy, however, that France was
prompt to recognise the new Polish Gov
eminent
Realization of the weakness Of tire
contemplated Polish alliance is one rea-
son for the sudden chorus of approval
in the French newspapers of President
Wilson's speech in Boston and their ex-
hortations to his Republican opponents
n aArtn ~ tr ~ IL atxHla ~
the League OF Nations but to conflne
their efforts to making Il more practical.
The situation in the United States
created by the return of President VIII
son has forced France to reveal what not
always has been made plain. that she
did not oppose a League OF Nations: her
only opposition was and 10 to a loose
| league that carries no protection for
France All the innuendo in the press
and the opposition there and elsewhere
has been to the Wiison-Cecil draft FOL
the league covenant, not to the Wilson
I idea that there should be a League OF
Nations.
Now. however. the French fear that
| their opposition has been misunderstood
| IN the United States and that the Repuo-
licans. whom a while ago they considered
their best friends. are inclined to oppose
any league at all They are struck with
| the horrible possibility that the Repub-
licans may win and that the American
people may not back President Wilson In
this matter: then they would have TO go II
| alone without any powerful, rich Uncle
| Sam to help them to get on their feet
| again and to fight for them again II they
| should be attacked.
| The French views OF the Rhinelant
problem which are being formulated are
| said to be couched in moderate terms II
a mastery manner. complete and &C
| curate, leaving no room for bubble Of
uncertainty, but showing clearly tn,
connection between a secure frontier
and cordial cooperation OF Franco II
the League of Nations. Nothing. how
ever. indicates the slightest change II
the French feeling that the league t
be binding must be effective. which cal
be brought about only by provision 70
an international army. TO which tn,
United States, naturally. must con
tribute.
Wants Article Y. Rewritten.
France regards Article Y. OF the lea GU
covenant as it3 weakest feature and ye
the most vital to France. For this rea
son, THE SUN lie informed by high au
thority. she remains immovsble in he
position that the article must be re
written TO give France proper securit
by placing at the disposal OF the counc
military force instantly available 70
this purpose.
The reaffirmation of the French oh
jections to the league, centring on AZ
ticle ". is significant in view OF tn
discussion of this article at the Whit
House dinner and the intlmation by tn
President that it should be made NOR
explicit Whether or not the Presider
had the French objections in mind
not disclosed, but IL is certain that whe
he left here he was fully aware tina
France had not surrendered her con
victions on this point and that IN IN
forthcoming discussion of the league thi
article would be the chief point OF al
tack here.
So far as France Is concerned,
would appear that this article, whic
seems to be the subject now Of critIcisy
in America as well as here. cannot b
rewritten to satisfy her except by Great
ing an international force or by givin
the council direct power to call out in
~ ediatF1y the rrilitaSsR .orcsG ~uf Tn
member States. In the case of Americ
the Constitution is an absolute bar I
this.
sugGests "a Recruited Army.
France thinks that an internationa
army could be raised by the league o
n direct recruiting system. II Article )
If not strengthened In this way the
absolute disarmament is necessary. az
coTding TO the French view.
The Indebtedness OF Article X, II
now disclosed was due to the failure I
bring together the two extremes repro
sented by the President and Prof Leo
Bourgeois, the French expert on II
league. the result being what many r,
gard as a meaningless clause regardin
the cardinal point Of the league.
The reiteration OF the French obJectio
makes II clear that there is no Rrour
for the assumption that the ratlficatio
OF the league covenant in it's preset
: form is assured.
The italian question awaits the r
i. turn Of the President. Col. L NJ. Hous
the Presidents representative, held
conference to-day on the subject. b'
| II is understood that It was fruitles
D II is apparent now that Premier LloN
: George, President Wilson and Premr
Clemenceau must act decisvely as 81,
as they can assemble.
French Legislators Honor sharl
, PARIS, Feb. 2s.-A large group
Senator's. Deputies and economists. Cab
not Ministers and members of The Il
Z publican Committee on Commerce, II
: dustry and Agriculture and of the 81
I oia L., iatp