South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-07
Wilson S Fourteen Points Win
Out Despite Hypocrisies and
JeaLousies of POLITICAL ms
SefDetermnation Rule Overcomes Tanges Resulting
From England's Double-Crossing Diplomacy.
BY FRANK III. sIMONDS.
News-Timcs and Associated News
papcrs Correspondents

~ fI6iNh Ill. SlMONDS.
News-Timcs and Associated News
papers Correspondent.
PARIS. Feb. 5.-(By cable to New
York There are in Paris at the
present time two sets OF influences
working. both OF which are in a
sense essential parts of peace confer
ence, and either OF which seen out
side its proper perspective might
give a totally inaccurate idea Of the
actual conditions. These two forces
are idealism, which is slowly but
surely modifying the ambitious ap-
petite and demands of the various
nations and which is contributing to
the creation of a real league of ma
tions. which in my judgment will
have permanent value for world
peace and world understanding; and
in the second place, old-fashioned
diplomacy with its old detectives. its
ancient, time honored methods,
seeking TO do in Paris in 1919 what
IL did in Berlin and Vienna n the
last century.
In the present article am going
to try to give an example Of the OPP
Grafton Of this old-fashioned method.
because 1 think it is valuable for the
American people TO understand this
phase, as IL IS, and exactly as IL is;
neither exaggerating nor minimizing
its effect And I am going TO try
then TO indicate some of the effects
Of this sort OF thing.
FRANCE AND ENGLAND
IN SECRET TREATIES.
For a period of time stretching
back TO the crusades France has ex-
ercised a certain half real, half
shadowy protectorate over the Chris
tians of the near east, and particu
larly those of Syria. This has had it's
practical value, but hand in hand
with this in the last century and in
the present there has grown up a
measure Of economic development in
Svria-for example the French rail-
roads and harbor works at Beyrout.
In clear fashion Syria has been
marked as a future field for French
occupation territorially and other
wise when Turkey should dissolve.
In 1916 England and France
signed a treaty, secret then but
known generally now, which in sub
stance recognized that France
should have in Syria for the future
precisely the status which England
was shaping for herself in Mesopo-
tamia The language was perhaps
yelled but the purpose Of the docu
ment was unmistakable.
FRENCH AS TO SYRIA.
Somewhat later the British enter
ed into a second treaty with the
sheriff of Mecca. now known as
King OF the Hedjaz, by which Great
Britain recognized the sovereignty
of the King of the Hedjaz, over the
Arabian East, including Syria, al
ready promised to France. On evil
dence of this agreement the King Of
the Hedjaz Joined the allies and
contributed material, il not decisive
aid in Allenby's great campaign Of
last year.
In this situation the British posi-
ton became difficult. The French
demanded that the agreement OF
1916 become effective. The King of
the Hedjaz with equal emphasis call
ed attention TO the British commit
ment to him. and sent his son.
Prince Feissel to Paris, accompanied
by very interesting young British
officer. Colonel Lawrence. in some
respects one of most attractive fig
ures in Paris today. TO plead the
cause of the Arabs.
Meantime England and France in
November of last year uttered "A
Joint agreement, pledging themselves
not 10 annex territory in the near
east; but this meant much or moth
ing as one chose to take the French
or the British view. What is of i'm
pOrtance is the fact that British pol
icy has decided 20 support this
Arab commitment and has pitched