The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-05-27
No War Menaced.

We are not on the edge Of a new
war, whether the Germans sign or not.
New battles and new campaigns like
those Of the last four years are out Of
the question. The occupation Of more
German territory is possible, but ven
this is likely to be restricted. Once the
allied armies from Cologne to Keil are
set in action, German capitulation will
unquestionably be prompt and com
plete.
But, on the other hand, the German
delegates may not dare to sign and go
home; The German government may
not dare to face the German people
having consented to the signature Of
the treaty of peace in advance of a
threat of force by the allies. Paris
still finds many well-informed observers
who believe that the Germans will sign
outright early in the second week in
June.
The storm of denunciation and threat
which is coming from Germany does
not disturb anybody, Here there is full
recognition of the fact that Germany
can no more resist the treaty terms
than could France resist Bismarck As
years ago. 1t is fully recognized that
what the German is ~endeavoring to do
is to make propaganda all over the
world in his old familiar fashion and
seek to enlist In his behalf so-callcd
liberal and radical opinion OF the world
but 1t is equally clearly recognized that
the result of German agitation at home
may be such that the government, in
order to survive, may have to 60
through the motions of yielding to force,
| In any event, we are in the last stage
of the German phase of the peace nego-
tiations. The German answer will be In
hand on May 20. The allied answer will
follow in the next week, and with II
will go a polite but unmistakabie re-
quest for the final German answer in
the second week Of June. If this is re-
fused, or is unfavorable, negotiations
will be transferred from the council o.
four to Marshal Foch; the armies or
the Rhine will begin to advance, ant
then ii will be simply a question Of
how far they will have to go before
they meet the German surrender party
1t remains possible that the German!
may break off negotiations before tn,
end of their time. but this is unlikel.
because II there be a large popular pro
test in Germany against signing, Their
is a considerable minority insisting
upon a signature, and there is universe
recognition that Germany cannot de
fend herself. Moreover, the hope tina
the allies would show themselves witt
a divided front at Versailles or betra,
any reluctance to resort to force |
necessary has been extinguished by tn
progress of events.
Germany knows now that she Is help
less; that her ~conquerors are united an
that the only modification In the condI
tons Of peace which she can obtalI
must be obtained by direct negotiation
at Versailles and cannot be attained b.
passive resistance.
We have had many periods of pro
found pessimism in Paris, with many a
acute and dangerous crisis, The pres
ent situation does not recall any o
these. Whether Germany signs or re
fuses to sign is a matter of interestin
speculation, but not a source Of anxiety
Paris Is calmly awaiting Germany
decision, with the recognition that tn
decision will not affect the ~situatio
created by the formulation of the term
of peace. Whether Germany signs o
does not sign, everyone knows she doe
not mean to perform, and everyon
recognizes that only under pressure wi
the terms be carried out.
The hope of a settlement which woul
automatically end the condition of wa
a disappeared. The prospects c
peace, of Cancellation, Is recognized t
have vanished. During the next l
years what the allies get out of Ger
many will be exactly conditioned on tn
, pressure they are able to exert upo
: Germany, but IL there have been man
Establishments inevitable under tn
| circumstance, the German attitude a
, the moment and German action in tn
! immediate future do not constitute sue