New-York tribune., 1919-01-06
The Great Peace Prelude

open the eyes Of the sophisticated
statesmen of Europe to the possibilities
of new aud idealstic world order He
says to the Italian Chamber of Deputies:
"In other words, our task is no less
colossal than this: To set UP a new in
ternational psychology; to have a real
new atmosphere If we create the new
atmosphere and initiate ourselves suf-
fciently into the new psychology, a new
machinery of craftsmanship will, per-
haps, emerge, and what we are now dis
cussing as rainbow-tinted distractions
will be translated into concrete reali-
ties.
There is an inspiring note of trans
cendentalism and of intellectual opti-
mism in the Presidents reactions to the
great problems of peace. Undoubtedly
he makes European statesmen, more
blase than he himself is, pause and won
der. Europe is old, faint in it's el}thu-
siasms, skeptical and worldly wise. Be
type-bent on clarity and practical re-
suts--and statesman of Wilson's type
there is divergence of vision.
What the European leaders are still
looking to Mr.. Wilson to do is to draw
down his idealism to earth, as Franklin
drew lightning from the clouds. That
is the test he must meet in the approach
ing peace conference.
The Presidents higher conceptions
exist in his phrases about 1.-The freedom
Of the seas about "organizing the
friendship of the world" in a league of
nations, about "a peace based on right
and justice"
Continental statesmen, endeavoring
to gather the fruits of the war, to Sc
cure the nations they serve against
future aggression, to obtain some meas
ure of reparation for the gigantic losses
which their peoples have suffered. are
reluctant to venture into the upper air
Of the new international psychology"
until they have completed their labors
on solid historical ground.
Hence Clemenceau's desire to
..rengthen France first before making
5er the world into sodality of nations.
Hence Great Britain's desire to retain,
unimpaired by new international ar
rangements, the sea power to which she
owes her greatness and safety. Hence
ltaly's desire to achieve in full that
national unity in the hope of securing
which she entered the war.
Italy fought to lberate Italians under
foreign yoke. She fought only Incl
dcntally to liberate the Slav peoples
on the eastern shore of the Adriatic.
Italian territorial claims are guaranteed
In treaty with France and Great Brit
ain Are these claims less valid than
those Of the Jugo-Slavs?
1t is difficult to define "a peace of JUS
tice-" Mr. Wilson said to the Italian
Deputies:
Then back Of it all, and through II
all, running like the golden thread that
wove it together, was our KNOWLEDGE
tnat the people Of Italy had gone into
the war for the same exalted princinle
of right and justice that moved our own
.eopie."
But IT Italy sought only right and
justice in the war, wherein can Il he
s3id that her Territorial claims, embodied
~ tie London compact, exceed right
and justice7
Few differences Of view between the
Allied roweTs can arise SO long as prin-
elples are updcr discussion. Buz when
Eerera5zationz hare 10 be shoYn Of
their vagueress and be converted into
page formulas, many clashes Of opinfon
and Interpretation VIII be inevitable
ldsallssac statesnaanshlp may sketch the
broad outlines Of peace. but the reaJjats
must write the hard-znd-fayt specifica-
tionS of the peace articles.
Our European allies appreciate the
felicity With which presldent Wilson has
illuminated his own Neal Of pcace