New-York tribune., 1919-03-26
The Obstacles to Peace

lifts little the curtain which has
screened recent conference proceedings.
For some time it has been plain the truth
was not being transmitted. Non-cohering
explanations Of the hold-np Of the peace
did not satisfy.
That the snag was in a wrangle over
the so-called peace league seemed unrea-
sonable. The statesmen Of Europe lost
interest in the terms Of peace league
when President Wilson, in his Manches-
posal looking to an enlargement Of the
Entente by the inclusion Of America--an
Entente that would possess both the
power and the desire to maintain a per-
mancnt peace Of justice. When this
project was dismissed Europe quickly
saw that any other possible league would
be sanctionless, and thus valueless, ex-
cept as a symbol and as an expression Of
pious hope.
The text Of the preamble and articles
did not seem of consequence to Europe.
Mr.. Wilson could employ what words he
pleased. Approval, with no debate and
almost without advance reading, was
unanimously voted to long instrument
which, if it had been taken according to
the letter Of it's title, would have been
most meticulously examined.
And when Mr.. Wilson returned from
America and there was talk Of amend
ments no difficulty was mAde over them.
Europe wants very much to have Amer
lea adhere to some sort of peace league,
because adherence will commit us to some
sort Of responsibility in Old World af-
fairs, will work definite breakdown Of
our aloofness; but no government in Eu-
rope cares a red cent. as Mr.. Simonds
puts it, about the covenant and its pre-
else contents. Faulty and ignorance
would be kept out as much as possible,
but, failing an open five-nation coalition,
the opinion prevails that the business Of
getting Americas signature is more vital
than what she signs. Our press dis
cusses the terms Of the covenant; that Of
Europe does not.
What, then, are the obstacles in the
way Of the completion Of the peace? The
collision is over practical matters re]at-
ing to the business Immediately in hand.
The President pushed his fourteen
points. He finds the men with whom he
is matching his mind counter with ten.
The President has made difficulties over
the armistice terms to which the Amer-
can delegation agreed during his ab-
sence; he would furnish food to Germany
in return for German movables, while the
devastated countries think the avails of
these movables should go first to meet
the reparation bill; he favors an early
entry Of Germany into the family Of
friendly nations, while others do not
think it safe or wise to do this; he leans
toward recognizing Bolshevik Russia,
against the view that, until Russia has
stable and civilized government, it is not
possible to talk Of recognition; he would
make Germany pay small indemnity
bill, whereas the nations who have great
ly suffered think it should be large; he
would give Germany freedom in COM
merce, while France and Italy fear the
consequence would be to give Germany
an unfair start, Besides these items
there are disagreements touching the
creation Of defensive Rhine barrier for
France and defence for Italy against
possible hostility by parts of former
Austria Hungary.
The President thus appears as the
champion Of the "peace without victory"
idea. lie is trying to make peace such
as is urged by the negotiated peace
propagandsts Of America. Justice to
the vanQaished is put ahead of Justice
to the victors, apparently on the assump-
tion that the mere fact of victory is
enough to satisfy the latter.
This review of the situation squares
with the known facts and suggests, prob
ably, the true reasons why the peace is
not completed. The dispute relates to
practicalities rather than to localities
But, for obvious reasons, Europe would
avoid public break. America holds the
chief stock of surplus supplies and she is
sought as member of any sort of
peace league. Hope has been kept alive
that the President would finally have his
mind opened by events; that the failure
OF the Prjnkipo conferences, the contnu.
ancc of state of anarchy and semi
anarchy over large areas, the revival ot
9 trucuent spirit in Germany and other
things Of a like nature would instruct
him; that he would be brought ultimately
70 see his plan would not work, anc
would no longer turn to such as Steffens
I Lippmann and Crecl for advice.
+ But SC far no sign Of his yielding ap
pears. His conceptions of Utopia are Sc