Omaha daily bee., 1919-05-06
After Reaching Versailles
From the Kansas City Star.

Step by step the Germans-who do every
thing that way-have followed the undertaking
program-all German programs are that
laid down by them in 1914 until now they have
arrived at their grand objective They are at
Versailles. That is where they started for.
They are there to make a treaty. That was
their purpose when they started. How those
German plans do work out. to be sureIit
shows what you can DOLBY following a system.
But in some respects this second visit OF the
Germans to Versailles differs from the first,
although, broadly, it was intended that the sec
ond should be practical duplication OF the
first But all plans have to be made somewhat
elastic, and if German planning has fault
which is, perhaps, presumptuous to suggest
it is that the necessity and convenience OF such
elasticity is too frequently overlooked Never
theless the Germans did, in this case--if a
trifle late-recognize that some modification
of details was indicated by circumstances. They
saw that times had changed since 1871 The
Versailles hotels were under new management
and were catering to new trade. British and
had reached understanding with the head
walters. French taste predominated in the
decorations and arrangements of the Hall OF
Mirrors where 48 years ago German artistic
standards prevailed.
Under these circumstances the Germans de-
cided not to insist upon the former arrange
ments. They wouldn't insist that the Prussian
king should occupy the raised platform. For
one thing there wasn't any Prussian king.
They wouldn't insist that German historical
painter should depict them in naughty and COM
handing attitudes, laying down their terms.
They didn't bring any sNch attitudes with them
They decided, in fact that instead of imposing
peace they would accept one. They don't
even know what is going to be in it, for they
were not invited to be present except at the
signing. They have heard rumors of two or
three provisions in it that might be disconcert-
sav Z %ho1yh hall $bop1 fr,.> h,,kx hoxy ,,bk
believe it. 1t is not in their open and trusting
natures to believe that they will be dealt harsh
ly with. They trust, they are very sure, that
their faith in human nature and in the gen.
crosby and chivalry of the great peoples they
had it in mind to rob, and if possible to exter-
faith they cling to when pretty much all else
kaiser, kings and loot-is lost. If that were
snatched away it would be cold world.
That trustfulness was touchingly illustrated
by one of their number who expressed hope
on the delegations arrival, that the peace to be
concluded would be satisfactory to everybody
Can the peace %congress resist such winsome
ness!
With the exceptions noted the ceremonies
at Versailles in honor of the distinguished visi-
tors will be identical with those of 1871. The
visitors will march down the same hall of the
mirrors that reflected Bismarck and Moltke and
old William I. They are gone and their empire
is gone, as breath passes. 1t is a thought the
Germans may dwell on as they pass. They may
see and recognize, if they have studied their
historical paintings, the place where the table
stood on which Bismarck rested his hand as he
posed. Perhaps the table on which they will
sign will stand in the same place. Perhaps the
chair on which Theirs sat, sumped and despair
ing, was in the same place one Of them will sit
we nominate for the place the distinguished
Count Won Brockdorf- Rentzau, whose name and
title seem to require trimming down to the size
of his job. We never did care for these hy-
phenates.
For the rest Versailles will know how to take
care of them. 1t has the historic sense They
are where they wanted to be. where they said
they were going Doubtless they are content in
the knowledge that another German prophecy
has been signally fulfilled.