Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-03-13
MORE INCONSISTENCY


CTRICTLY in line with the appar-
- ent purpose of the American
peace delegates not to hold out
for too severe penalties to be inn
posed upon Germany, comes the
| startling announcement from Paris
that if the Germans refuse to accept
the peace treaty as presented to
them America will not join with the
allies in enforcing its terms. There
is wide discussion among the allied
peace commissions as to what course
will be pursued in case the Germans
do not consent to the hard terms
that are being prepared for them.
1t is admitted that in such a con-
tingency Germany will not attem pit
to renew the war, but will simply
defy the allies to compel disarma-
ment, to recover loot stolen from
Belgium and France and to COL
lect the indemnities that will be de-
manded. II that situation presents
itself it will be necessary for the all
Germany, take possession of admin
istration centers, and direct the con-
duct of affairs until the provisions
of the peace treaty have been salts
fed.
Now a special dispatch from Paris,
censored and passed by the officials
in charge of news items from the
Peace Conference, gives us the fol-
lowing information: American
delegates to the Peace Conference
have again made it plain in re-
newed suggestion that American
forces would not participate in any
such venture Where, may we ask,
did our delegates receive their au-
thority to say that the United States
would not cooperate with it's al
lies, or associates" if you please, in
forcing upon Germany the peace that
we have assisted in winning at the
cost of 100000 lives and 200, 900
MANNED? 1t is stated in this inspired
cablegram from the French capi-
tai that the American people at
home never would approve of in
definite participation of American
troops at the expense of billions"
BY thus throwing responsibility up
on the people at home" our dele
gates are doing their utmost to up
set any plans the allies may have
to impose terms upon Germany
commensurate with the enormity of
her crimes.
How preposterous is all this. The
only satisfaction the American peo-
pie will get from the war is to see
Germany suffer somewhat in proper
ton to the sufferings she has brought
upon other nations. We want no
territory or money indemnity ex-
cept for property destroyed con-
trary to international law, but we do
want to see Germany placed in a
position where her menace to civili-
zation will be permanently remov-
ed. A nation that has given of her
men and money as has the United
States is not going to stop when
the fruits of victory are almost with
in her grasp, and the American dele
gates are putting their countrymen in
an entirely false position by alleging
the contrary.
And how inconsistent with the
proposed league of nations is the
stand of our peace commissioners in
this matter. Under the terms of the
constitution of the league the United
States, if a member, will be required
to furnish troops, in conjunction with
other nations, to enforce, the DEGREES
of the league. Yet, in the very first
question of that nature to arise
among the powers that will control
the league, the United States fatty
refuses to be a party. If we are
not ready to assist in the enforce
ment of peace already won, what,
may we ask, is to be our attitude
when America is required by the
league to enter upon a new war, in
the result of which we have no ma
tional interest? Consistency" sang
the poet, thou are a jewel" And
rare one, indeed. in the present
era of American international di-
plomacy.