Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1919-01-06
TIME TO BE wATCHFUL

The allied nations and the United
States will presently, through the
medium OF authorized and qualified
representatives, be employed in the
delicate task of formulating terms OF
peace. Never in the past have the
conditions presented to congress OF
nations. following an armistice, or at
the conclusion of a great war, been
similar to those which must be dealt
with in Paris.
From time immemorial, readjust-
ments necessitated by the outcome OF
military clashes between major or
minor powers have been determined,
in the main. with regard to the de-
inands of victors, modified by the IN
slstence of interested neutrals upon
adequate protection and consideration.
The familiar cartoon, showing the de-
feated nation in the form of a turkey
on a platter in the center of table
surrounded by figures representing the
other nations. each earnestly and eag-
erly observing the process of carving
a task usually committed to the rep
resentative deemed the most trust
worthy by his associates. told, II in
rather too frank a fashion, the story
of war settlements in former years.
Unless there shall be complete de-
parture from the ideals expressed and
the plans agreed upon, which is some
thing hardly imaginable, the whole
system of procedure in the pending
conference will be contrary to rule
and tradition. Those who are to exer-
else control over the scope and method
moved quite as much by world as by
national interest. Justice, the world
has repeatedly been assured. not from
one quarter but from ALL is to be made
the standard of measurement in deal.
ing with all proposals. For the first
time in history, the welfare of humani-
ty is to take precedence of national adj
vantage.
The fullfillment of the promise held
forth by a League of Nations is not
something to be anticipated with pleas
ure or accepted without a struggle by
those who still believe in the law of
might Their Interpretation of liberty
is freedom to intimidate, overawe, and
enslave their weaker neighbors They
are unbelievers in democracy, cynical
as to the equities, scoffers at the idea
of single standard of morality and
Justice. They are striving to under
mine popular confidence in the sinceri-
ty of the accredited peacemakers.
They will fail. of course. but their
failure will not come about automati-
cally. and their operations should be
frustrated in the incipient stage. All
that part of the world which has con-
fidence in the Allies and in the United
States. should. from today, give prac-
teal effect to this confidence. Sensa-
tional reports of differences between
the nations, predictions of serious dis
putes, attempts TO excite national
jealousies. insinuations of selfish mo-
tives on the part of this or that coun-
try. everything that. directly or in
directly, tends to arouse international
distrust. or to create doubt as to the
results OF the conference and the ac-
complishment of satisfactory and a
permanent peace. should be denied
credence, refused approval, condemned
as disloyal to the cause of humanity.
II is a safe presumption that those
who spread rumors by word of mouth,
and those who publish rumors for gen.
eral circulation. the effect of which is
to weaken popular confidence in the
coming Peace Conference. are either
willing or unconscious tools of con-
spirators against democratic world.
Christian Science Monitor