The Cordova daily times. [volume] (Cordova, Alaska) 1914-1947, 1919-02-19
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1919.
PEACE CONGRESSES.

Viewing the peace conference by
some of the candlelights of history we
ask ourselves what part the purely hu-
man equation and what part political
ideas will have in the settlement.
The present council of the powers
invites comparison with the congress
of Vienna, which made many of the
European adjustments which must
now be undone.
At each conference we see domin-
ating personality Then it was Prince
Metternich; now it is President Wood
row Wilson. Then it was statesman
schooled in the secret diplomacy
which secured for Napoleon his d.
vorce from Josephine Beauharnais so
that he might wed the daughter Of
Metternichs royal master of Austria;
which finally overthrow the upstart
empire of Bonaparte and divided the
spoils at the congress held in Vienna
from September, 1914 to June, 1915.
The most natural comparison of
personalities, therefore, is between
Woodrow Wilson and Matternich. In
both intellect is to be observed as the
predominating element, then states
manlike vision of the future, wide
knowledge of world affairs, and mas
terfuI sslf-poise which In the one case
often enraged Napoleon and in the
other has cody outgeneraled the kais,
er and driven him from his throne
and into exile
1--WE shall meet at Vienna" cried
Napoleon in paroxysm of fury, in
1913, Metternich coldly refused him
the means wherewith to regain his
lost glory and prestige.
II shall stand no nonsense from
America after the war" said the kais-
er angirly to the American ambassa-
dor.
And now the New Jersey school
master, who, it is related, studied in
musty tones how he might become
president of the republic of the United
States, is to dictate what shall be
done with the empire of William of
Hohenzollern and with most Of the
world beside.
"The fate of the world may be said
to rest in your hands, said President
Poincare of France. addressing him
self to President Wilson at the open
ing session of the peace conference.
At the congress of Vienna the fate
OF the world rested largely in the
hands of Metternich.
! At that time the modern movement
was just beginning. The English, Am
erican and French revolutions had
made liberty the watchword of
mankind, just as liberty" and "de-
mocracy" are the watchwords today.
But at the congress of Vienna even
Great Britain which had already
made something of success Of free,
representative government, found
nothing better to do than to divide the
spoils with governments which had
little faith in popular rights and chung
to the doctrine of the divine rights OF
kings.
Among those who attended the vi
emma conference were the monarchs
of Russia, Prussia, Austria, Denmark,
Bavaria and various small German
states.
Among the statesmen were yelling.
ton, Castleragh, Metternich, Telley
rand, who tried to bride our John
John Adams on a mission to Paris !;
Nesselrode, Hardenberg and Stein
Today we seldom hear any of these
statesmen mentioned except Meter
mich, Aalleyrand and Wellington. How
shall it be century hence when our
successors read that the present con
ference was attended by Woodrow
Wilson, Secretary Lansing, Lloyd
George, Balfour, .Clemenceau, Orlando
and the Japanese delegate, Maxine
Which Of these names will survive the
wear and tear Of a hundred years?
Perhaps It may be we'll to mentor
some Of the judgments Of the con