Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-04-24
Between France and GERMANY
Philatielphia Ledger .
Shall France be sacrificed to Germ

| ping up in the cabled criticism and local COM
ment on the perplexing and dilatory proceed
| ings in Paris. 1t is not always put plainly.
| That would require nerve" or irresponsible
bravado. But it is slyly suggested; it is deity
| insinuated as a charge against the policy of
this or that leading delegate; it is attached as
necessary or damning consequence to some
| program or proposal.
1t is question that "begs the question"
Every man with red blood in his veins knows
| the answer. The free and democratic civiliza-
! ton that the valor of France saved will never
desert the intrepid people who would not per-
init the modern Attila to pass" Nor is this
only gratitude. 1t is intelligent self-preserva-
ton. President Wilson has we'll put it that
| "the frontiers of France are the frontiers of
| freedom" If we once permit forces hostile to
| the free, genuinely democratic and well-or-
dered government of the western world to
| subdue the magnificent French democracy with
| its deathless devotion to liberty, the liberties
of the rest of US will be in a precarious posi-
| ton
We cannot give France and Italy--for the
loss of France would turn the flank of Italy
in a most perilous manufacturer to Berlinism
or bolshevism and be sure that we can still
preserve the free democracy of the rest of u.s.
One thing may be taken as settled. and
that is. that the spokesman for the two great
Anglo-Saxon nations, who are coming in for
some criticism on this very score, are abso-
lutely determined without the smallest doubt
or diversity of opinion that every conceivable
guarantee of the integrity safety and tranquil
ity of both France and Italy. SO far as any
such guarantee will be more effective than
mischievous, must be incorporated in any peace
treaty that they will sign.
1t is a sinister and unpleasant comment on
the ingraned spirit of suspicion in human
nature that such statement should be neces-
sary. 1t ought everywhere and always to be
taken for granted. But tbs because some
writers and speakers approach the discussion
of many of the features of this exasperatingly
and perilously prolonged pour-parlering in
Paris with the unfair and untrue intimation
that our Latin allies are being deprived of
safeguards which both justice and sagacity
would award them that we feel it essential to
make this positive assertion. Nothing of the
kind is being done. Nothing of the kind will
be. done. The AngloSaxon delegates are not
"disarming" France through any tenderness"
for Germany. 1t is infamous that so foul
charge should be so much as limited.
There may be and seemingly are honest
differences of opinion as to the best way to
safeguard France and Italy. There are such
differences of opinion among Frenchmen and
Italians. in spite of the overwhelming popular
argument which always be summoned
within any nation to the support of the widest
possible expansion of the national boundaries.
But difference of opinion as to means does
not necessarily imply difference of intention
as to ends And, in this case. it is an insulting
accusation of treachery. disloyalty. cynical bad
faith, betrayal of brothers-in arms, to intimate
that there be difference of intention as
to ends
President Wilson and Mr.. Lloyd George
are not urging league of nations" for the
purpose of coddling Germany. They are urg
ing League of nations because they-and
many others of similar mind-believe that this
is the only way to bind Germany to good
behavior 1t would be very simple matter
today to carry the French frontier to the
Rhine and put Gordon of allied troops there
to keep it fixed. Germany likely would not
sign such a treaty-its present government
would fall-probably Spartacan government
would take its place: But the allied armies
quite capable without much risk or sacri-
flee Of playing the Brest-Litovsk game and
maintaining their steel barrier mpregnably
planted on the Rhine, permitting the disorgan-
lied Germans to raise any sort of sheol they
relish on the other side of the river
But would that be the best way to insure
the safety. the prosperity. the settled peace of
France?
In the first place. we all know that the
United States would not consent very long to
sustain effective American army part
of the new watch on the Rhine" We would
bring the boys home again. Undoubtedly the
British would do the same thing. If there
nothing more at stake than the industrial and
commercial rivalry which will infallibly follow
peace. every nation would want its workers
into spndes. But there would be more at
stake-the cost of the armies, the standing
provocative challenge to Germany. the danger
of bo1shevist penetration from east of the
Rhine, and score of other accessory burdens
and dangers.
Would they not be better off if the alleged
and sneered at and bitterly attacked 'idealism"
of Wilson and Lloyd George should manage
to present them with neighbor who had been
terribly disilusioned as to the profits of mill
tarism" and wars of conquest and who bore
in his own body no heart-burning wounds
which constantly stung him to seek the heal
ing ointment of restoration" True, the
"idealism" may fail 1t will fail if its enemies
get their way. But is there not more hope in
it than in branding the largest people in mid
Europe with an intolerable shame?
Let US be frank about it. What made Italy
fight? Its "Irredenta" What made France
accept an alliance with the Russian autocracy?
Its "irredenta" What made Roumana fight?
Its "Irredenta." What made Bulgaria fight?
Its "Irredenta.' What made Greece fight
when it got rid of its German king? Its tire
denta" Is an "Irredenta" a good thing then
to give Germany? Think it over. 1t is not at
all question of what Germany deserves for
its recent measureless iniquities. 1t is what
France and Italy and Britain and America de-
serve as the reward of their great sacrifices,
their splendid courage and their faith in the
glorious future wilhelm spite of the de-
moniac cataclysm of Armageddon-still beck
ons the human race.
7HH Y "