Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-05-25
BY FRANK H. SIMONDS.

states should pledge itself to come to
the aid of France in company with
Great Britain. provided France were
wantonly attacked by Germany
American comment so far as 1t is
accurately reported here. seems to
concentrate on the suggestion that
this process would be. to create an
other alliance. Whereas the league OF
nations was designed to eliminate
alliances, and, consequently that !.
is unnecessary, since the league OF
nations provides a way for perma-
nently eliminating the element of war.
In the present article ! am going
to try to set forth the European SIT
uation both with respect to the league
of nations and of this supplementary
step which really should be- regarded
as an underwriting of the league OF
nations. during the period necessary
for that organization. not mercy TO
get to work. but to become estao-
lished and recognize d by ali nations.
Embraces Victors in War.
To start at the beginning. the
league of nations at the present mo-
ment is no more than an association
of the nations which defeated Ger
many and Germany's allies. which.
having formulated the terms of peace.
are now discussing these terms OF
peace with the German representa-
tives before one of two things hap
pen: Either Germany accepts the
treaty of peace. or she rejects 1T, and
therefore makes resumption of mill
itary operations necessary.
The terms of peace, as l pointed out
the other day. even though they be
now accepted by Germany. do not set
tie anything. but merely provide
method of settlement stretched over
fifteen years. at least. during which
time Germany can only be expected
to perform them il she finds herself
steadily unable to resist. The terms
Just as they are, nevertheless. SO
conditioned upon the German conduct
of war and German crimes against
civilization that at no time during
the period of German performance
can there be the smallest possibility
of voluntary acceptation or free VIII
submission on the part of the Ger
mans to the sentence of the confer
ence of Paris, which is in itself all
that yet exists of the league of ma
tons We shall then have for PERIOD
OF fifteen years. at least, the preser-
walton of some portion of the state oil
war against Germany which existed
after August. 1914. For these years
Germany will see much of her terri
tory occupied. She will be compelled
not only to pay large sums of money.
but she will be subject to many re-
straints totally different from condi-
tions preceding the war. 1t would De
inaccurate to regard Germany during
the period fixed for the performance
of the terms of peace as anything
more than a conquered enemy. 1ui
filling the terms of the treaty OF
peace, if only because not to perform
them would bring down upon her at
once military and naval as well as
economic pressure. During fifteen
years then. there can be no question
of German acceptance OF the decision
made by the conference of Paris, or
any trustworthy entrance OF Germany
into the league of nations, winch Is
at one time an organization for IN
ternational peace and the association
of her victors for application OF the
terms of the treaty OF Versailles.
Mr.. Wilson's Part in Conference.
Now the precise purpose of the as
ISOLATION between Great Britain ana
France is manifest. Mr.. Wilson. rep
resenting his country mas COM ~
France. He has been the most con-
epicuous and most influential per
sonality in the peace conference. lie
has imposed upon Europe his FOUR
teen points. which have become the
basis of the peace settlement. Desplte
many compromises, some large ano
some insignificant. each question has
been settled in such fashion as to be
accepted by him as satisfying ms
original program. But many OF the
settlements have been. in fact, no
more than a postponement of solu.
ton for a considerable number OF
years. as, for example, the Saar coal
region question will only be decided
by plebiscite fifteen years hence. and
one could multiply the number OF
in the case of Poland, the solution
arrived at is of such a precarious
nature that Poland. unsustained by
the league of nations. which has
created the Polish frontiers, could
not maintain herself against Ger
many.
Now. having thus imposed in very
large measure an American settle
ment upon Europe; having compelled
each of the nations of Europe who
were associated with us IN war
against Germany to surrender its
own views. not as to it's opportunities
to realize imperialistic ambitions. but
its necessities to provide securities
against future aggression. Mr.. Wilson
has logically and naturally recog-
associates-or. rather. to the one pc
culiarly imperiled, Franco meas
ure of security to replace those sur
rendered at his demand in the in
terests of the league of nations.
Summary Of Situation.
To put the thing simply: Mr. Will
son conceived that If France should
occupy the left bank of the Rhine
permanently. which alone would en-
able France. unassisted, to defend
herself against German attack; if
France should annex the Saar coal
region. which would alone insure COM
pensation for French material losses
during the war. these two actions
might create a new cause for war
in Europe, which would make the
league of nations no more than an
empty dream, as important as The
Hague tribunal. when Germany should
become strong again. Therefore. Mr..
Wilson demanded-insisted on. and
obtained the support of the British
for his demand-that France should
annex no German territory save her
own lost provinces.
To this demand the French COM
piled, but on their side they argued
with equal justice that four times
within a century-twice at least to-
tally unprovoked by any French &C
France bringing ruin with them
They presented the unquestioned mill
itary opinion of Marshal Foch that
France alone could only defend her
self against Germany on the line of
the Rhine They pointed out that Ger
many might consent to lay aside her
old ideals and become civilized ma
ton, but that ii was equally possible
that Germany might return to her old
pursuits of power and world domi-
nation, and that II Germany should
do this after France had retired from
the Rhine in obedience to Mr.. Will
H.