Evening star., 1919-11-30

states of middle Europe. IL Germany
can again dominate Europe from
to Byzantium. all the old dangers will
reappear. Therefore for London. Parts
and Rome it will be a matter OF ut
most concern what Rumania means
to do. whether Poland will stand.
what Czechoslovakia can contribute
IN the way of divisions and guns to
block German advances southwark.
Thus. inevitably we shall see thej
new alliance recognizing RumaniaG
claims to Bessarabia. Polish claims IN
Lithuania. Greek claims in Thrace and
using necessary force to compel /he
Jugoslavs to moderate their Adratic
attitude. and in any event to gi/e up
Flume. In place of a policy G,ased
upon abstract justice. no matteA how
II INJURIES your friends, and without
upon your incurable enemies we shall
see develop new application of the
older principle of mutual association
Tor mutual profit and protection.
Return to Old Ideas Seen.
L do not think that my one can
doubt that Europe wilYnow react to
the old principles and the old ideas
In point of fact thess/wer never laid
aside: they were at best temporarily
abandoned IN the face of an impe-
rious necessity which grew out of the
commanding position attained by
America during the war. ann the
force, American and British. behind
President Wilson in the Paris confer
ence.
The league of nations could only
have had a real trial had it been ac-
cepted by the United States Senate
and by the country with such una
nimity and enthusiasm as to convince
Europe that il was the single price
ef-faFther American aid and coop
nf tav
ended with the vote in the Senate and
cannot be terminated by any subse-
quent parliamentary procedure. And
since the league of nations is dead.
from the European point of view.
only the balance of power remains.
The election in France. like the re-
cent course of events in Britain. has
given clear evidence of the triumph
Of the conservative and non-revolu-
tionary elements. France and Brit.
they would not have been able to do
had France gone red and Britain
white. In both countries the same
steadying sense of national necessi-
ties is apparent; we shall not have
revolutions on the Seine or the
Thames this winter. it would seem.
With Great Britain and France. Bel
gium must be counted. and in any
new alliance. in any confederation OF
Europe, we may expect to see Anglo
French influence prevail.
ANY breach between France and
Britain would be real world tragedy
and would insure German attacks in
the future. The severest criticism OF
Lloyd Georges policy in Paris-criti-
cism made by many conspicuous Eng
lishmen-was that it frequently risked
French friendship in seeking to oh
tain American approval. At certain
moments in the Paris conference the
French did feel themselves abandoned
and protested rather bitterly. But
with President Wilson out of the sit
uation Anglo-French relations are
bound to grow closer.
Russ Peace May Follow.
Still another consequence Of the
withdrawal Of America from Europe
seems bound to be allied peace with
Russia A general recognition OF the
need of clearing away all barriers 10
peace seems bound to prevail the
and Czechoslovakia, together with the
Baltic states and Finland-are unable
and unwilling longer to carry on a
| war against Russia without large
contributions from the western ma
| tions. The western nations are not
ready to supply men or money, hence
| the beginning of negotiations. which
will not impossibly lead to a restora-
| ton of peace between Russia and the
smaller races and states on her outer
] frines. If this comes it will be only
a prelude to recognition OF the fact
! of peace by the western nations:
| under certain conditions. which will
| insure their financial interests. mainly
in the old Russian national debt
In sum. following upon the action on
| the Senate, it seems to me certain
| that we shall see rapid change from
| the league of nations ideal to the bal
ance-of power system in Europe
Britain will become the dominant
forces in a new alliance. which will.
J in due course of time. include Italy
and Rumania. both enlisted by tardy
| recognition Of claims rejected while
| President Wilson's influence doml-
mated in Paris.
Such an alliance will necessarily
reopen the question of the left bank
| of the Rhine If the United States fails
| to ratify the treaty of insurance with
France and Britain: it may. in anv
event, since American assistance will
seem a little less tangible than ii did
| a year ago. We have now to face the
| posi- bility that France will stay for
| a long time on the Rhine between
Alsace and Holland. In the same way
! France may claim for Poland better
settlement at the mouth of the Nis-
tula and Italy demand of Rumania
the frontier of the Dniester and the
Thesis.
Peace with Russia. achieved by in
direction. through the medium of the
Baltic states, is likely to follow soon;
as for Turkey. that eastern question
will be dispcsd of at a conference of
London in March, at which America
will hardly play any prominent part
and may not be represented. since
we were not actually at war with the
Osmanli. At such conference Italy
may hope to obtain compensation in
Asia for any concessions made IN
Europe.
fconvr;obt 1910 McCIu,e Neusnaner Srndicats) !