Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-01-10
DIFFICULTIES IN WILSON'S
WAY.

President Wilson now faces his
second and most difficult task" says
the Suns correspondent abroad. cab
ling. on January 1st. from London.
He will meet it in its acute phase
at Rome, where the insiStence OF
the. Government on secret treaties is
strongest and where popular support
OF President Wilson exceeds if any
thing that of England. He must
either induce the people OF Italy and
France to reject the policy of their
governments regarding secret trea-
ties or he must persuade the govern
ments themselves to reject it.
There is no mistaking the mean
ing OF Clemenceau's and Pichon's re-
cent speeches in the French Chamber
OF Deputies. or the crisis that. has
arisen in the Italian Cabinet. Pichon
served notice in so many words that
England was bound by secret trea-
ties which give France territory in
Syria and Palestine and Italy the
Adriatic littoral. which is peopled
with SlavS. These speeches are tim
ed to serve as a reminder to Eng
land and America that no agreement
yAs possible between them except
through 4 violation Of treaties. 1t
creates very difficult situation for
Wilson.
England has agreed to go along
the lines Of the Wilson principles.
Undoubtedly she desires an abroga-
ton OF the secret treaties made at
the outbreak Of the war, bat her
hands are tied, and the continental
countries are citing Wilson's own
doctrine against the abrogation OF
treaties as reason why the pacts
must be kept.
ClGmenceau'S speech shows ex-
IRENE imperialism Compromise is
trcma imperialism Compromise is i'm
pies Of Wilson, with which England
has expressed general accord.
All C!emenceau's doctrine springs
from the French demand for terri
tory. Ii France takes all west of the
ithlne and the Saar coalfcldg. She
Knows SHE must fight GerInany for
them in the next generation, there
lore Clcmenceau wants an alliance
of America, England, France and
Italy 10 defend the seized TERRITORY
III the future. For the same reason
France must have fortified frontiers.
Big armies and balance OF power.
| Clemenceau undoubtedly timed his
uttcrance to show the Italian Gov
ernment that he stands with il TO
| The last ditch in her imperiailst am
! h:i!oaS and to c)nteract the effect OF
! Wilson'S Italian visit
! The situation emphasizes Lloyd
! Georges Importance He is commit
I'd to wilson Only Oh principles. sub
! jrCt TO ,le great pressure OF public
! opinion at home, demanding Wilson'S
peace. Lloyd George III the past has
| shown great Skill III adjusting prin~
| clE!es - * Il practical situa ton.
| From Clor.enccaus speech it is ap-
| parent that England and America are
agreed cl the freedom OF the, seas.
| so that 70 real is5uc il; between them
except the application Of a general
program &c specific territorial ques-
tons.
There can be 10 real league OF ma
tit1s unless these questions are set
lied.
The real crisis OF the Peace Con-
ference Is 1T hand. Wilson can make
Lloyd Georges position easy only by
maEsiallng popular opinion in France
End Italy for just. peace and making
the governments feel its force -
The Presidents influence upon
axe masses in France, England and
Italy seems to he wonderfully per-
suasiyc ana effective We must sim.
ply wait to see how the sympathies OF
he people Of these notions With the
Presidents politica! pronouncements
viii effect the conduct Of their rep
rescntatives at the peace table. IF
u" difficulty Is mainly, with Italy
heres where the Presidents infiu-
once appears to be most potent.