New-York tribune., 1919-02-10
Fears Germany Is
To Escape Penalty
For Treaty Wrongs
London POST Reused Over
Waning Demand for a
Heavy Fine; Sees Danger
in Principles of League
Neto Fork Tribune
European Bureur

1>ufcPcUB DGTeut
Copyright, 1919 New York Tribune Inc)
LONDON. Feb. SIN an editorial
headed Keep Your Eye on Paris
ihe Morning Post" emphasizes a
new which is gaining ground here
s0d which must inevitably affect the
Negotiations now proceeding. "The
Post' says:
When the Prime Minister was in
'itng the support of the British cleo.
"Iate ne was asked to declare him
sel' without ambiguity, on one oues-
uon Germany had committed great
sslme against England. She had
.9'ceo Us into war by the violation
" treaty 10 which we had affixed
our signature, and attacked our neigh
yrs which threatened ourselves. In
.ae prosecution Of this crime she had
sis .iain ciose on to million Of our peo-
PIE and destroyed many millions
sVrsn OF our property. 1t was a cap
IA crime, but Germany was allowed
" ssp escape capital punishment.
amas she also to escape a fine?
mat was the question put to Lloyd
usorge. In reply ne accepted the po-
s..lon OF the British people that Ger
demnity. pN' "'' III
~. We do not say that he left no
ssoees IN our mind az to his attitude,
nse-I We are accustomed to judge
s5vp'c sss not By what they say but by
Tss Ts' n1ney do. But this may be said:
r;s. ''emler left no doubt in the
;.os ss;s OF the British electorate. He
s"meo ~ the principle Of indemnity;
=, went further and declared that al
siSs one set Of financial ad-
bseis mad thrown some doubt upon
49, spla,y Of Germany to pay, another
81 oooy OF experts had swept away
80 aouDtS and assured him of Ger
slys capacity TO pay.
Va, ~ snese professions Lloyd George
ne -Sturhed 70 power by practically
tsst aoIe st nation, and it is certain
ia ~, n ne had said anything else to
a. something different. But what
as happened since? 1t hag been nut
,.y mieh every appearance Of author
tnat the conference has tacitly
sypeo tne question Of indemnity.
mere are various explanations of
aItitude. One is that the in
ssssn,Iy Is contrary 10 one Of the
H. es'isaai iasi princ'ples Of our old friend
league Of nations.
A., ~ we have had occasion 10 point
es,,a.e more than once, IT is n marvellous
aas,,ashce a,~1ashce that the principles of the
e OF nations are always favorable
NJ ss1many and hostile To England.
sss,,s w ssaould have supposed that there
snna,Is % no better vindication Of the
N'SI.pie Of a league Of nations than
T. dyying Of Il heavy finc in addition
been 'aaKes as upon the party which has
syss., sHariy proved TO have violated
ass's pfineipie for which the league of
~ sTas :, is snppoged 10 stand.
xs,. Me enthusiasts Of the league
MI sincere in their detestation OF
ssrsIr Germany has done they would
ssmsyI,o mi os the first 10 support the in
taas But we have always noticed
srs Is a very definite limit TO the
a.. .Nsgs'1sm " thoge enthusiasts, and
ssytssss hmit IL reached every time
xAsxS Injurious 70 Germany IN eug-
b ,s sss,. curious phenomenon can only
1s ,sxp1lssined sxt1sned IN the hypothe1ig that
Mss,sa.afs Of Germany ie even more
49, 80, 70 the Jesgusrs than the
vi IN snn from that digcoyery IL is
nc ttxs.'sule ~ TO arrive ut the conclusion
'esgue OF nations IL being used