The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-09-14
I q The Editorial Page of The Daily Ardmoreite q
KNOX WEEPING FOR GERMANY


the United States, to assure 1000, 900 Of Amer
lean soldiers and sailors that the sacrifices they
made in overthroWing German autocracy and
PruSsan miltarism have resulted in "a cruel
peace" Senator Knox's latest speech against
the League of Nations, advocating, as it did,
the rejection of the pending treaty and the sub
stitution of new and Independent pact be-
tween Germany and this country, is susceptible
of no other interpretation
From the premise that this peace-which
American blood and valor made possible-is
harsh and indefenSible, Senator Knox argues to
the conclusion that we should cancel the pres
ent treaty and make another which will relieve
Germany of the obligations and limitations up
on the enforcement of which alone the world
can be insured against second barbaric out
break upon her part We have been harsh,
says Senator Knox, to the Germany that con-
cocted and prosecuted the most feroclOus at
tack ever made upon civilization We have no
right to bind the hands of this monster of mill
tarism, he tells us, in effect, and contends that
to guarantee Germanys willing acceptance of
her defeat we should treat her like victor.
Is the reconsttution of Belgium an act of
harshness on the part of the allies, including
the United States, and a cruelty TO Germany?
Is the restitution of Alsace-Lorraine to France
an injustice to the Prussian aggressors who took
it as the spos Of war? Is the rehabilitation of
Poland which the imperial ancestor of Kaiser
Wilhelm II helped to parcel among his contem-
porary autocrats in Austria and Russia, an in
frngement of German rights? Is the guaran-
tee of autonomous government for Schleswig
HolStein. raped from inOffensive and helpless
Denmark, an outrage upon German sovereign
|ty? Is Frances temporary control Of the Saar
mines as a measure of compensation for the de-
struction of cathedrals, schools, hospitals,
mines, vineyards, forests, fields and homes in a
fifth of the French domain which was overrun
by ruthless Prussan horde, a wrongful depri-
walton of German proprietorship? Is the estab-
lshment of the new European states-the lib
GRAFTON of small nations from the despotism of
the German and Austro-Hungaran empires-a
crime against Prussan superiority?
Well, these are some of the fruits of Amer
lean participation in the war-a few of the
benefactions which the pending treaty purposes
to guarantee and perpetuate, at the expense of
Germany, true enough, but for the advantage
of a dozen other peoples TO undertake now
to negotiate a new treaty with Germany-if the
American nation would for moment contem-
plate so preposterous an adventure-would be
to ALLEVIATE ourselves from our former associates
IN the war; to deal with foe grown ten months
stronger than when he laid down his arms, and
to face the alternative of surrendering most of
what we now stand possessed or or fighting
alone to enforce our claims for more.
Let the New York Tribune, an inveterate re-
publican organ and persistent opponent of the
League of Nations. estimate the intent and eff
feet of Senator KnoX's speech. After pointing
out that it is now the mission of German propa-
ganda to beget the impression that Germany
has been despoed, the Tribune says:
1T is not agreeable to have it possible for
Germany, as she labors to create sympathy for
herself, able to quote the words Of one Of our
best American public men in support of her
claims of mistreatment."
If partisan spokesman of Mr.. Lodges re-
publican allies in attacks upon the treaty and
the League of Nations ventures that close to an
indictment of Senator Knoxs Americanism,
what will our 100000 veterans say?