The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-16
GERMANY CAN'T GAIN
BY FIGHT ON LEAGUE
Lodge Says Terms viii Not
Affect Covenant.


WASHINGTON, May Ex-senator Lodge
made very clear to-day that II the Ger
mans are hoping to obtain amelioration
OF their peace terms through the Ameri-
can Senate night against the League Of
Nations. as some Berlin dispatches re-
Gently has suggested. they are making a
woeful mistake
Opposition to the league covenant has
nothing whatever to do with the condi-
tons on which Germany will be granted
peace" said Mr.. Lodge. ANY German
assumption that American antagonism to
the league may open the way to modifi-
cation Of the terms that will be imposed
on Germany is utterly without founda-
ton. Senatorial opinion is not to be
shaken by the German pretence of con-
Vlction that President Wilson has been
betrayed and his Fourteen Points
pitched overheard by the Congress Of
Paris; nor by any assumption that the
terms written into the treaty are so
severe that anybody of American opinion
Will object to them
7 have noted some dispatches init
mating that Germans are pretending to
expect some notifications OF the terms
az result Of the American opposition to
Inc treaty. OF course. there is no pos
sole ground for that. regard It as
part OF the Wilson propaganda to
weaken the opposition to the league. and
Il Will have no effect whatever"
Others Hold Like View.
Other Senators have been impressed
BY the evident desire of the German press
bureau and editors to make the German
n hal la1Fa k,ar 81
American Intervention In behalf of easier
termsand without exception they agreed
mat II there was any such German pur-
pose or any hope of creating dissension
between America and the Allies IL would
prove pltifully futile. About the last
Thing that is in the mind OF any public
man here, whether Republican or Demo-
erat supporter or opponent of the league,
II the notion of making Germany's peace
Teams easier
While there tB criticism, some of It
bitter. Of some provisions in the peace
treaty other than the League of
cations, II reflects no sympathy or
sentiment favorable to Germany. The
treatment Of China in the matter of
shantung is proving one of the chief
Weaknesses OF the documents in its
appeal TO Senators. They feel that
Nhlna has been betrayed and that 1t
vas done as the price of Japan's sup
port for the Presidents League of
SAffons project.
Why" said ono OF these critics,
the first partition OF Poland took place
nearly $50 years ago and It has been
Standing menace to the worlds peace
ever since. Now after this century and
mar the world Is uniting in the restora-
non or nationality to Poland. Yet this
very treaty that restores Poland out
RACES China In the same fashion, and
. VIII have the same effects some day
II II Is permitted"
sshr Award Also Criticised.
Hardly less dissatisfaction is ex-
pressed With the settlement of the Saar
basin which Senators describe as
.n4"ihs precisely new Alsace-Lorraine
problem with the interests reversed.
AZ us effects on the future OF Europe
u the world they fear the conse-
SIehces OF this settlement In the Saar
ssaHey even more than those that will
~. 80" from the concessions TO China IN
s shantung peninsula. and both
'a'ures OF the treaty will be the sub
OF violent attacks Some Senators
."n"ed who are studying these two
s,oplfins with the purpose OF aiming
,icks against the peace terms de-
70 be quoted because they wish
"0'd their IRE until they can use