The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-05-10

OF the continent.
The treaty of Versailles, il it shall
be signed, follows the exact model OF
the treaty of Berlin. The present war,
like tho Russo Turkish war, wrich pre-
ceded the Berlin congress, grew OFT of
Balkan conditions At Berlin, no one
OF these Balkan conditions was settled.
Serbian, Bulgarian and Rumanian
states were reorganized, but so reor-
ganized as TO insure further conflict,
while the separation Of Serbian lands
from Serbia in the interests of Austria
Hungary; of Rumanian lands for the
benefit of Russia, and portions OF the
Bulgarian domain to placate turkey
set In motion that train Of events which
eliminated in the present world war;
The treaty which has been formulated
at Paris exactly reproduced the chaos
Of Berlin by Balkanizing Eastern and
Central Europe. Like the congress- OF
Berlin, it has liberated some millions
OF subject peoples, but In denying TO
the Poles an exit on the sea, as II de-
uied Serbia similar exit generation
ago, in permitting Italy 70 annex nearly
half million southern Slavs, In avoid
ing real settlement between Hungarians
and Rumanians, in fostering the rival
claims between the Poles and the Cze-
cho- -Slovaks. between the Rumanians
and the Serbians, in leaving the whole
Russian problem exactly as the con-
grers OF Berlin left the Turkish prob
lem unsettled the present world con-
gTess has invited repetition OF the
tragedies Of the past
Explains His Stand.
A month ago told my readers that
the league OF nations was deAd,S and
that no European settlement was pos
sill 1Exnn IF
character OF the document now handed
to the Germans, demonstrate the ac-
curacy of both statements. There is
not the smallest faith in the league OF
nations on the continent OF Europe
The French demonstrated their lack or
faith by demand for alliance with Great
Britain and the United States outside
Of the league Of nations document as
guarantee OF their safety. The ltal-
JAMS in the matter of Fiume have dem
onstrated how little abstract theories
Of justice weigh when questions of ma e
tional aspiration are involved, while
Poles, Rumanians, Jugo- -Slavs, Greeks
each one perceives that while the right
of existence of the small peoples is
verbally affirmed in the league Of ma
tions, the treaty Of peace dooms each
Of them to disappointment and disaster,
The hope of the world for the Paris
conference was twofold that In liqui-
dating the war 1t would remove the
cause of unrest and rivalry which de-
stroyed European peace, and that hav-
ing done this 1t would erect a league
OF nations which would have power TO
defend that Just and reasonable settle
ment which the Paris conference had
made. This hope has been destroyed
in both respects. The settlement which
has been made in Europe is compro-
mise which amounts to the sacrifice Of
the smaller peoples 10 the. imperious
needs Of the large nations for immed.
iate peace, and the unwilltngness OF
Britain and OF the United States-to
give any real guarantee even to limit
ed national existence bestowed upon the
smaller peoples.
Some Examples:
Incoherence and chaos of settlement
can well be illustrated by a few ex-
amples
We have given to Italy, exclusive OF
Fiume and Dalmatia, nearly half a
million Slavs and upward Of quar-
ter of a million Germans unreserVed-
ly, despite vehement protest Of both
populations, because in each case no
great nation was affected Immediately,
since the Germans were part Of the
defunct Austrian empire and the Slavs
an unhappy race which now has no
great champion since Russia fell. In
the same way, we have given three mil e
lions OF German speaking people to the
new Czecho- Sovakian kingdom, but we
have denied to the Poles the posses
sion OF ancient Polish territory only In
part Inhabited by Germans, and there
by deprived them of an outlet on the
sea essential to their existence. Upon
the Poles at Danzig and upon the
French In the Saar valley we have be-
slowed lllusory occupation under condl-
- ,rkA
and the Concord Sluggers will begin al
Between Poles and CzcchorSlovaks
we have encouraged rivalry over
Teschen, which separates two SIavonlc
peoples whose cooperation was essen
tial in exactly the same way the rivalry
between Bulgars and Serbs was en-
couraged by the decision at Berlin, and
we Aave so far done nothing save TO
aggravate the dispute between the
Poles and Ukrainians, and the Poles
and Lithuanians.
In returning Alsace Lorraine to
France we have removed the old cause
of international -Iancour, but by the
terms of the Saar valley arrangement
we have created new Franco German
quarrel BY giving Italy Trieste and
| the Trentino, to which she was en-
titled, we have eliminated an old cause
OF war, but by adding nearly half a
million Southern Slavs we have Gre
ated a new Irredent, and the Southern
Slavs will never rest until they have
| regained their lost peoples, as Italy
never reated until she obtained Trieste
and the Trentino.
Question Extended.
| But even these things are incidental
as contrasted with the gigantic East
ern question which we have created,
| Before the present war the Eastern
question stopped at tho Drave and tho
| Danube, Today, 1t extends from the
| gulf OF Danxig 10 the head OF the
| Adriatic,. The greatest problems be-
| fore the peace conference are not tho
problems OF the West. but the settle
ment OF conditions growing out Of tho
disintegration Of Austria Hungary and
| tho collapse of Russia. with the con-
sequent release of number Of con-
| uuered tribes. Before this task the
Western world has stood powerless, 1t
| can neither resolve Austria Hungary
| itno its racial elements nor adopt to-
ward Bolshevist Russia coherent pol
| ICY As a result, eighty millions OF
| people between the Baltic and the Ae-
gean, and between the Alps and tho
1