South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-13
EUROPE'S SECRET DIPLOMACY AND
PRUSSIAN MILTTARISM QUITE EQUAL
ISSUES AT THE PEACE CONFERENCE

xurHEN II developed recently that II was the
M secret treaties entered into between Eng
w land France italy Roumania, pre-
yious 70 the United states entering the world
that has been holding up the conclusion OF peace
treaties calculated to enable the European entente
TO do pretty much everything that Germany
threatening 10 DO but OF course in a reverse drec-
tion-the reason and logic behind Pres't Wilson's
denunciation Of secret diplomacy renewed their
sppsrency.
pro-wsr tunkers" fearful lest the world may
henceforth remain peace because OF its being
made a just peace. with the old-fashioned Oppres
sons OF the victors the vanquished eliminated.
haze trying hard TO muddy the waters in which
secret diplomacy" swims by idiotically insisting
that the hours Of negotiation should open. a
a peace conference but no such thing ever
intended, nor would it expected by fool
The reference to two three or more nations.
entering into secret alliances. prejudicial others
and holding them secret virtually making the allied
powers a single power, cooperating 70 thwart what
should the equal opportunity OF the innocent by
stsnder
Among the secret treaties that have been standing
in the way OF peace has been those above referred
to- the rewards OF which were to include a certain
carving up OF Serbia. first victim OF the conflict.
for Italy's and Roumania's benefit Boughten sup
port in the what it amounted to- the bride.
OF course. be paid not by France England out
OF their territory by their dominance
weaker power. Il was merely wartime application
a system that has been IN vogue over there for
centuries; that led to the Napoleonic wars. the
Crimean war. the Franco-Prussian war. and prac-
ticaliy every European Balkan since and
before the dark ages, enectlng the disad-
vantages which, in degree at least made easier
for mitarstic Prussia find for precipitat-
ing the world
Prest Wilson, when the reports sifted to the
bottom has merely insisted and still insists that
such disadvantageous treaties shall standI that
American blood not shed French soil TO
trench the French. any OF her allies any such
Hunnish powerful to give small nations like
Serbia and Belgium freedom OF existence
right to exist. without interference by any other
power no difference how mighty. We did not to
Europe to help France and England pull their irons
out fire. but help put down common
enemy. and England and France accepted our pres
ance and aid, with that understanding, fully
hat diplomatic Washington wise to their secret
pledges and brides. and that would not stand for
hem in the peace settlement. England and France
understood that European diplomacy had been
Of such crooked order. that it took Prest Wilson
two years, followed by overt acts OF the
OF Germany. to make up his mind to advise his
country TO go and help unscrambIe it.
We have paid our way in Europe. not only with
blood but In trench-rents. that we might
such slight protection IN spots from shedding
it, n reports current true. paying France
rent for every railway right OF way for every camp
site. port privileges. and for permission
move our troops in marching order across her soils
paying this for helping fight her battles much
than our because on her land-literally driving
the enemy back from inside her gates. Add these
rents paid too by England. we suppose, the In
IDENTITIES demanded OF Germany. and the first thing
we know France will be proiteering on this war:
ahead a monetary way-and behind only in ir-
replaceable art and human lives. We sincerely hope
that a peace will be made by which will never
need again 10 repay La Fayette by rescuing France
from her own damnable diplomacy. incipient in
secrecy and cunning that do it TO save
ourselves while the time paying her
for the privilege.
Il considerable a circular question whether
European diplomacy a sort Of negtimate child
necessitated by Prussisn militarism or whether
Prussian miltarism a bastard born OF European
diplomacy. 1t seems considerable OF both It does
no. lessen the dstardliness one whit.
II only exposes clearly the despica bility OF
European diplomacy such the peace conference
has found II necessary to unravel. We put the Hun
OF business with the gun. The old European
diplomacy must go by way OF the green tables and
from the latest reports despite antipeace
d. II Is well on its way.
And will so. That American Is unworthy the
who would not have it so. II is quite much
a world kaiserism That who
In contemplating the conclusion OF peace. is unable
10 saturate his brain with anything revenge
for Germany-because he was Inconvenience some
what by the purchase a Liberty bond or giving
dollar 70 the Red Cross.-and has room In his
head for OF and effects had better
give up pretending 70 be civilized The barbarian in
him still predominates