Evening journal., 1919-03-08
PENCE pELEGArEs PASTE pIaMoNp CONSISTENCY.

CrRICTLN in line with the apparent purpose Of The
~ American peace delegates not TO hold out for too
severe penalties to be imposed upon Germany, the
startling announcement from Paris that if the Germans
accept the peace treaty as presented 70 them
America Will not join with the Allies in enforcing its
terms
There is wide discussion among the allied peace COM
missions TO what course will be pursued In case the
Germans do not consent to the hard that
ing prepared for them II is admitted that in such
contingency Germany will not attempt TO the war.
but viii simply defy the Allies 10 compel disarmament
TO loot stolen from Belgium and France and TO
collect the indemnes that will be demanded
II that situation presents itself II will be necessary
for the allied troops to occupy the whole Of Germany
take possession Of administration cehtors direct the
conduct OF affairs until the provisions OF the peace
treaty have been satisfied.
Now a special dispatch from Paris. censored and
passed by the officials in charge Of items from the
peace conference, gives us the following information:
American delegates 70 the peace conference have
again made IL plain in renewed suggestion that Ameri
forces would not participate In any such venture"
Where, may we ask did delegates receive their
authority to say that the United states would not
operate with It's allies, associates If you please, in
forcns upon Germany the peace that have assisted
N winning al the cost OF 10000 lives and 100000 maimedg
II is stated IN this inspired cabegram from the French
capital that "the American people home never would
approve OF indefinite participation OF American troops
at the expense Of billions"
BY thus throwing responsibility upon the "people at
homo delegates doing their utmost to upset any
plahs tho Allies may have to impose terms upon Germany
copmensurac with the tnormlty Of her crimes.
How preposterous is all this The only satisfaction
the American people VIII get from the Is TO see
Germany suffer somewhat in proportion TO the suerngs
she has brought upon other nations.
We want territory or money indemnity except for
property destroyed contrary TO international law but
do want to Germany placed in position where
her 10 civilization will be permanently removed
Nhaiou That has given OF her men and money as has
the United states is not going 10 stop when the fruits
OF victory almost within her grasp and The American
delegates are putting their counrymen in an entirely
false position by alleging the contrary.
And how inconsistent with the proposed league Of
nations is the stand Of our peace commissioners in this
matter. Under the terms OF the constitution Of the
league the United states. II member. will be required
TO furnish troops in conjunction with other nations 70
enforce the DEGREES of The league Ne the very first
question OF that nature TO arise among the powers that
will control the league the United states nay refuses
30 be party.
n we not ready TO assist in the enforcement Of
peace already won, what may ask, is to be our
attitude when America is required by the league TO J
enter upon new in the result Of which we have
no hationd interest? Consistency sang the poet
thou art Jewell" And rare one, indeed in the |
present era Of American International diplomacy.