The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-01
WHERE IS THE HITCH

(Contln0e0 from rage One.)
that the allied troops might land, the
Poles were not then one Of the allies,
their state being created since then.
From this attitude it Is easy to
imagine what will happen when the
Germans arrive at Versailles. They
will dispute every point. hoping for a
split in the entente front. 1t Is this
lack of unity In the entente views
which gives Germany courage. AS an
example, there is the arfnistice, which
French opinion regarded as Temporal
rily dictated and subject to renewal,
with changes at the victors' pleasure.
but which other members of the en-
tente considered as a sacred contract
and binding.
But these are preliminary diplo-
matte sktrmishcs. There are bigger
questions ahead.
Two theories clash. when Germany
started the war she announced she
intended to impose peace terms OF the
most drastic kind: then, seeing her
self unable to win military victory.
she BEGAN talking about peace and
reconciliation.
Having defeated Germany militariiy,
the French conservatives now frankly
favor imposing peace. and, facing
bitter necessities. the French govern
ment lights for strong terms France
has all her eggs In a single basket,
and 1t Is her army. Her navy is neg.
lectcd, her best provinces industrialiy
devastated, her remaining industrials
converted to war purposes her treas
ury empty, and with a budget facing.
Ia ten billion dollar deficit. and her
young MEN killed In a larger proper
ton than any other country, which
she least cottld afford.
In other words, the French army
IL Frances only card. She fears in
dustrial competition, not only from
Germany. but from England and the
United States. which nations are
ready to resume production before
Therefore. France must have
peace that pays, and Germany will
sign only with a knife at her throat.
and to make her pay the allies must
dominate the world for the next gen
Grafton. All the mercantilism and
paciffsm OF fcensored). which means
a desire for the most immediate COM
effort. are against such peace. as
testify certain tongue Slips by tcen-
sored)."
Here you have the conflict which
delays peace While France must
have a peace that repairs damages and
rehabilitates her industries, her allies
want to resume business as soon as
possible, which means a peace of re-
cancellation.
Those having factories want TO see
them started" wrote Saint Brice in
lie Journal recently.
II is this double purpose to make
Germany pay and also to prepare
business openings with her that de-
lays peace.
Premier Lloyd-Gecrge promised his
electors ne would make Germany pay
for the war expenses, and TO make
good he must get some money. while,
Iit In doubtful IL Gersnapy'wi'l be able
to reimburse the prior claims Of Bel
gium and France. President Wilson
must put through his fourteen points.
and the covenant OF the league Of ma
tons, while Premier Clemenceau has
back OF him gaping ruins demanding
mending.
Meantime the Germans shout they
viii not sign peace which does not
assure equality and reconciliation or
which stipulates the annexation OF
German territories or puts them under
special control. She will not sign q
peace which disarms Germany with
out disarming the other members OF
the league Of nations at the same time,
a peace which takes her colonies not
la peace imposing the payment Of
money beyond the repair damages
caused by acts against the laws OF
war" (Berliner Tageblatt), which
peace will not satisfy France because
1t means French ruin.