Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-04
The Coming Conference

THE tremendous reception accorded to
L President Wilson in Paris is an express
sion not of one feeling but of many. There
has ever been a very special tie of sentiment
between France and the United States
dating from the time OF the War of Inde-
pcndence, which France helped the States to
win There is also the charm of French life
to which the American is highly susceptible,
SO that it is said of tho good American that
when he dies he goes TO Paris But far above
these older grounds Of attachment is the tre-
mendous service which America has done in
turning the tide of battle and contributing
the decisive factor TO the victory which has
liberated the soil Of France from the invader
and restored to her the provinces lost in a
former invasion. For the intervention of
America it Is felt and rightly felt. that
France has largely to thank the personal
lead, at once so prudent and so courageous.
OF the American President And now that
the war is won she. like us all, has to thank
him for the enunciaton of policy which IL
truly carried out, will reap for us the best
fruit of war, which Is the assurance and
the permanenCe Of peace.
II he is TO succeed In this task if we are
TO have decent peace, one condition Ia es-
We do not say that there should be reporters
at the Conference table. but any attempt 10
cover UP differences and 10 adjust them on
any ground other than that of principle
would be fatal Such differences can only he
overcome by forcing them into the light
compelling cXtravagant or unjust claims to
be- definitely stated and openly defended, and
bringing public opinion TO bear on them
not the public opinion Of one nation only bur
that of all the great nations and of the
world
The second essential condition Of success
is that the Peace Conference must have a
free hand 10 apply democratic principles to
the settlement. No secret treaties and no
armistice arrangements must stand in the
way. The Allied Governments have publicly
accepted President Wilson's principles and
that il now an obligation OF honor. They
cannot, therefore, make the existence OF any
previous treatie7 an obstacle TO that policy
In some quarters the public reputation Of
the treaties has been demanded. II Is enough
that IT should be recognized that they mean
nothing IN the new order created by Presi-
dent Wilson's declarations and the accept
ance of these by the Allied Governments
Those treaties We're made under different
circumstances. What was Russia at that
time? What was Turkey? Where were the
Jugo.Slavs? Austria had not begun to
Crumbe. The whole world has changed and
the men who sit down at the peace table will
speak new language and deal in new con-
ceptlons OF International policy. The only
claims that can count are the claims based
on recognized principles; temporary occuna-
ton or secret agreements will mean nothing.
On the temper and methods OF this dipIo.
macy the future of the world depends
President Wilson has laid down a basis on
which the nations OF the world can co-operate
II that basis Is not accepted as the basis OF
settlement. what then? Clearly there will
not be cooperation: there will be conflict
II is not likely for example. that America
wlil agree 10 guarantee peace settlement
at itllC tn. lEs.