Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1919-06-21
WILL GERMANY SIGN?

The WORLD is signing for peace, but
those gathered around tho Peace
Table at Paris are risking war. 1t
will not be Il conflict such as has just
been ended but it is liable to be Il
revolutionary war, where blind fury
and irresponsible mobs will succeed
the organized military autocracy Of
the past tha" has marShalled armies
and decided the fate of men. The
terms slightly changed and amended
and sent to Germany are said to be
impossible of acceptance by that ma
ton upon the basis Of President Wood
row Wilson'S Fourteen Points, that
the Allies representatives are deal
ing with the present German Govern
ment which has ovcrthr0wn the old
German military autocracy just as
though that autocracy still held the
reins OF government and were dictat-
ing peace with tn. Allies
1t looks very much as though there
10 MUM u uli III tllS NcC4aTallOll.
President Wilson is in most cmbar-
RAISING situation. He has declared
officially that the war is at an end
and Germany and her allies have been
equally as emphatic in declaring that
they will not and cannot fight any
moro, while the army that the United
StDtnc nf tmnYin, he,
seas is clamoring to como homo and
they are coming. Can Germany be
forced to sign the peace terms ut
the point Of the bayonet so to speak
and if she signs under coercion, will
She live up to terms forced from her
at tho point Of n revolver? These quos-
tons are troubling the statesmen of
Europe and those in this country.
1t is evident that the United States
Senate will demand immediate peace
with the German nation and the set
The League of Nations Is now turn--
ing out to be only league Of some
nations and not league of all ma
ions. Shall we have peace now or
shall we again begin the outward
movement sending millions Of our
sons again to the bloodstaincd fields
Of France to engage in the subjugation
of the Teutonic nation? 1t should not
be forgotten that the Allies arc bank
rupt. Only America can furnish the
money necessary to continue II long
campaign of occupation.
At tho present time no great states
man has appeared TO lead tho ma
tons OF the world out of this bog Of
financial distress. There arc twenty
three nations represented in Paris
and it is openly asserted that only
four nations are now debating and
framing the peace document, that
will not only bind Germany, but
which must be accepted by all OF the
world. In this connection the follow
ing cable from abroad may be read
with interest:
London June 16.-Thc peace terms
presented to Germany today are the
final reply of the Allies, Andrew
Bonnr Law, Government spokesman
in the House OF Commons, declared
in opening the Victory Loan campaign
a; the Guildhall today. The speaker
said lie hoped earnestly the Germans
would sign the terms.
at is for them to choose within
five days" Mr.. Bonar Law added.
"Thcy must sign or the armisticc Is
at an end. There must be a just
peace but Il just peace must be a
stern peace"
The speaker said that the chief of
the British staff had declared twenty
three different wars were now going
on and added:
at is not all over. 1t is quite pos
sible by want Of wisdom, by absence
of restraint, by disunion among the
Allies and by want of unity at home
TO lose. not the victory but the full
force Of the victory which has been
bought so dearly"
!. It is contendcd that the full force
Of the victory has been already lost.
Just how much more will Ee sacrific-
ed when the smaller nations realize
that thsy are not being compensated
for their frightful losses either in
land or money, but must take up tho
burden Of government anew, with
added duties and responsibilities Is an
interesting question. The gaunt wolf
Of famine may lead to bloody inter-
nal revolution, the like Of which has
not been seen since the foundation Of
the world.