The sun., 1919-04-05
SAYS PEACE OUGHT
TO PRECEDE LEAGUE
Major4Gen. Maurice Says 1t
Was Mistake to Try to
Mingle Two.

Major-Gen. Sir Frederick Barton
Maurice. Director of Military operations
of Nthe British General staff from 1915
to 1918. declared last night in Car
negie Hall that great mistake was
made by the conference at Versailles
when the attempt was made TO settle
the whole question of the League Of
Nations before the matter Of peace terms
with Germany had been considered. His
statement aroused considerable applause
Gen. Maurice. although in favor OF the
league, pointed out that after the con-
ference had shown its good intention to-
ward the people OF the conquered terri
| tories by indicating that they would not
be divided like chattels among the
victor nations. but governed by man
datories acting wholly In their own be-
half. there came the logical moment for
consideration Of peace terms
I'm my opinion the conference made n
mistake at this point" Gen Maurice
I said Then undoubtedly It should have
gone straight to the question of terms
for Germany. Instead it went on to
deal with the draft of the constitution
OF the league. l do think that there was
no doubt in the minds of the committee.
/ OF which your President was chairman,
which put It forward. that II was merely
draft for discussion and consdera-
| ton.
The criticism which the draft aroused
| in France is a real indication of how
| serious the mistake was. The delay
| In making terms with Germany neces-
STATED renewal OF the armistice and
aroused alarm In France concerning the
possible remaining strength of Germany.
! France feared for her safety.
| The effect in Germany, too, was bad
| for Germany to-day Is in the state of a
condemned man waiting for his sentence
unable to settle down to anything. The one
real danger which the Allies face Is tina
there will be a revolution in Germany
! | have been in Germany three time,
since the armistice was signed and hav,
met and discussed this matter with man!
other men who have been In Germany
We are all agreed that Germany at th'
present time is mllitarily impotent. Ger
many is absolutely unable TO resist an,
! terms which may be decided upon 81
long as the Allies retain armies of occu
patton at rea sonable strength.
II have found a feeling OF deeI
anxiety prevailing among all the mel
who have listed Germany that Their,
may be a rising which will upset III,
Central Government Of Germany ant
leave no one with which the Allies ma,
deal
Gen. Maurice said that the league ha.
been opposed by a minority In England
whom he describes as the ultra con
sentative school" These asserted tina
the league was "Machiavellian design
on the part of President Wilson 10 shielc
Germany from her Just dues"
In this war Britain has suffered. II
consideration OF the population of Grea
Britain and Scotland. at forty times tn,
rate OF the United States AS an in
stance of her losses he said that at
gathering he attended shortly befor,
coming TO this country, OF fifteen womei
present eleven were war widows and tn,
other four had lost sons.
Il don't believe II Is possible to abol
ish war by framing a constitution, but
do believe II we take international co
operation as a basis of this league w
can work toward the abolition OF war
The only solution for the problem I cal
hnd Is In the League OF Nations, be
leve II we don't expect too much OF I
at first II will be much better than any
thing we have ever had, provided tina
the United States comes into it,
Gen Maurice was introduced by Ham
ilton Holt, editor of the Independent.