Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-07-08
Tho New Triple Alliance

1T may be assumed that the guarantee
pact" under which the United States and
Great Britain bind themselves to go to the
rescue OF France In the event of an unpro-
voked war by Germany upon her, will not
have clear sailing through the United States
Senate. 1t must run the same gantlet that
has been prepared for the league OF nations.
1t must meet the same test Of necessity that
has been set for the covenant itself, and 1t
may have less strength in some quarters.
The man who is opposed to- league OF
nations on the ground that such a confedera-
tion would force America into every war
that might develop in Europe, that 1t vio-
lates the warning Of Washington against
"entangling alliances" and that it Is the as
sumption Of obligations which this genera
ton of Americans has no moral right to
impose on their children yet unborn, can
scarcely find reason for a treaty that
avowedly commits the country to war in be-
half Of another power. That view undoubt-
eddy will be urged with great effect when
the time comes to analyze the treaty which
has just been made public and which the
President will submit to the Senate as soon
as he reaches Washington. To what extent,
however, the country will synpathize with
such convictions remains to be seen.
Again, there are those who are eagerly
supporting league of nations who fail to
see the occasion for separate treaty of
defense with France. II the league means
anything at all, it means that all it's members
will go to war, If need be, to protect France
from another raid by Germany. 1t means
that America is bound to place its resources
at the disposal of the French republic in
such an event just as France Is bound to go
to the assistance of Great Britain, If Ger
many should attack that power. Why there
should be any additional guarantee, there
fore, If the allied, peace commissioners have
faith in the effectiveness Of the league, is not
altogether clear.
The best explanation that has been offered
by the Presidents friends for the three-cor-
nered treaty is that it was agreed to in order
to give France double assurance Of pro-
lection. The President agreed to sign this
pact, it is shown. in order to secure the con-
sent of France to the present peace treaty, an
instrument which would have been infinitely
more drastic If it had been dictated by the
French.
1t is well known that France is uneasy
over the future. II has been compelled to
fight Germany twice in half a century. 1t
lost tie first time, but won the second. with
the aid of powerful allies. But both wars
cost heavily-one in territory and the other
In vast areas devastated, to say nothing of
the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of
lives. 1t lived in dread of Germany for
four decades and now wants to be relieved
OF that menace
To that end France demanded exactions
OF the enemy when the treaty negotiations
began which would have annihiliated the
old empire. 1t would have partitioned that
country The territory south of the Rhine
would have been held by the French as would
the Saar Valley, both in perpetuity Ger
many could never have stood erect again if
france had been given free hand. In order
TO dissuade France from this crushing pro-
gram the president and Lloyd George con-
sented to separate treaty OF defense With
this guarantee, France receded from its dras
tic demands. This, it is declared, will be
the Presidents defense of the treaty.
Whether it will impress the American people
favorably, remains to be developed.