Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-12

Rumored Japan-German Treaty
THE President returned to find that
l. many of his most ardent friends had
become his bittereSt critics. These were
the idealsts who felt that the world had
lost greatly when, at Paris, the spokes-
men for America seemed to shift sud
denly from a policy based upon the hope
of early reconciliation between all
peoples.
! Mr. Wilson's change from a mood of
! forbearance to one OF immovable rigor
toward the German people was one of
the dramatic developments of the Paris
conference. His later policy was said to
| insure further friction and new wars in
Europe. 1t was said of the President that
he had Caved; that he was outplayed by
the old guard in Europe; that he had be-
come tory.
Yet now, if the sO-called German-Jap-
anese treaty which Senator Lodge has
demanded from the State Department is
not a fraud and forgery, it will not
only explain and justify Mr.. Wilson's
course but prove the entire validity of
every argument advanced in support Of a
league of nations. 1t will show that the
cooperation of the United States and
the nations of Europe in imposing the
harshest possible terms upon Germany
was necessary to save mankind from the
consequences of scheme deliberately
devised to split the world violently in two.
The document in question was first re-
veaed in Berlin after a raid on state
offices by Bolshevist troops. 1t may be
fraudulent. But even the suggestions
which it contains are of a sort worth
pondering Japan, if the treaty was ac-
tually agreed upon, was to protect Ger
man interests at the Paris conference
under a secret agreement devised to in
sure German cooperation in the later
exploitation-and, of course. the future
political domination--of Russia.
Did the President and his associates
at Paris know that the horde of un-
crowned kaisers still at large in Germany
intrigued, even while they were beaten
and prostrate and crying for mercy. to
corrupt the Peace Conference and pre-
pare a way for scheme of empire that
inevitably would have ranged one-half
of mankind in arms against the other?
Is this why it was made inexorably
plain to the German people that no one
could help them, at Paris or elsewhere,
but themselves? Is it because the domi-
mating minds in Germany were prepar-
ing for adventures in commercial and
political conquest madder and more dan
gerous than anything ever conceived at
Potsdam that they and their people were
made virtually subject to the will of the
other nations Of Europe for years to
come?
Russia is lax and PROSTATE, helpless
and fabulously rich. Since the first revo-
luton it has been an almost overwhem-
ing temptation to eXploiters and adven-
turers.
The so-called German-Ja apanese treaty,
| sent to the State Department by officers
| of the American intelligence service in
Russia, may yet prove to be nothing more
than a detail of Lenine's propaganda
| The fact remains that it outlines course
of action and series of political agree
ments that the rest of Europe has feared
for thirty years. If such compact were
in effect it could mean only that at one
day or another Germany would lead the
East and perhaps the Russians against
the rest of Europe.
Mr.. Wilson is still heavily burdened
with difficulties The Senate in one
breath criticizes him for failing to give
definite information in explanation of his
policy at Paris and in the next intimates
that it will refuse to listen to the test-
mony that he has offered to present at
formal or informal inquiries.
But it is safe to suppose that the mood
of turbulence will pass from the Senate
leaders. They must surely realize that
the restraints and restrictions of his
office must still control Mr.. Wilson's
actions. 1t will be entirely proper for
the President to give, in reply to direct
questions from the Senate, information
which he may not volunteer in public
address without violating established
rules of international courtesy and pro-
cedure.
Congress is swept now and then by
prejudice and partisan emotion. But
Congress is made up of pretty sincere
and pretty shrewd Americans. There
has been no time when personal likes and
dislikes and partisan feeling have been
permitted in final analysis to override
national interest in the House or in the
Senate. 1t will surprise no one familiar
with the habits of Washington if the
Senate leaders who have been among Mr.
Wilson's most industrious opponents
show a sudden spirit of cooperation in
this instance.
1t is certain that the President has
found ways in which to inform men like
Mr.. Lodge of some of the inner details OF
the Paris agreements. His expressed
willingness to submit himself to cross
examination and to testify at as many
formal and informal conferences as the
Senate may desire was significant. Il