The sun., 1919-08-25
EUROPE SHARES VIEW
Peace Treaty Worthless
Without Military Aid Be-
ing Obligatory.
FOCH PARTY TO FIGHT 1T
Fate Of Compact in Paris Par
lament Is Becoming Much
More Doubtful.
BY LAURENCE HILLS.
std6 Correspondent o. THs SuN.
Copyright. 1918. oil rfpAfs reserpsd

BY LAURENCE HILLS.
stsr Correspondent Of THr Sun
Copyright. 1913. oII ripAfs reserpsd
PARIS. Aug. 24.-Europe still is agi-
tated tremendously over President Will
sons statement to the members of the
Foreign Affairs Committee of the Sen
ate that the United States is obligated
under the League OF Nations pact
The first news came like a thunder
bolt to those in France who by rea-
son Of his assurances while here had
accepted his League as having ma
terial value and consented to a peace
treaty which through his insistence
had the league as it's cornerstone.
The process of disillusionment has
been going on for some time in France
by reason of such incidents as the Per-
sian agreement, by which England OBJ
tains for herself practical control Of
that country, but it has taken the
Presidents own Interpretation Of the
obligations involved to drive home to
many here upon what shadowy sub
stance the security OF France rests
through her acceptance of a peace
treaty founded on such a league.
Until President Wilson explained TO
| the Senator'S that only a moral obliga-
tor was involved in Articles Y. and
XI. the common acceptation Of these
articles here had been that they had
practically the binding force of mill
| tary convention. This idea was sup
ported notably by the statements Of
President Wilson himself when Pre-
inter Clemenceau was demanding a
treaty Of alliance which the President
insisted was not necessary because tho
| league guarantee accomplished the
| same purpose.
ytndicates the Foch Faction.
From the reaction here 1t would seem
! that what little confidence remained in
| the league has been destroyed now by
the interpretations Of its chief author,
which, It is pointed out, have come as
a virtual vindication of the Foch party
here, This party. II it had had its way.
would have made a treaty without de-
pending upon the league for those
! guarantees which France considers
vital for the national safety.
That President Wilson has furnished
the Foch party with ammunition for
a renewal of it's attacks when the
treaty comes up for discussion in the
Af 10 wi
dent from the tone adopted by the
leading newspaper organs of the party
The indications are that 1t will lead to
interpretations as to why the Govern
ment apparently accepted interpreta-
tions OF this obligation which are not
supported by the Author OF this clause
himself.
striking article in the Gaulois viz.
tually accuses President Wilson of mis-
leading the French. With fine irony II
points out that Mr.. Wilson's statements
confirm predictions made that when h,
arrived home he would wash his hand:
of European politics. which "as the
worlds pastor he had with frock coated
severity imposed upon us" The article
points out that the President was obliged
| 10 reply to a double accusation by thI
committee and adds:
"He was reproached for having en-
barked too precipitately in the fragile
skin of the League OF Nations and alsC
for having refused to recognize tn,
American idea OF liberty in engaging hi
country in guarantee which woulC
oblige 1t eventually TO draw the sword II
defense of its European allies.
Playing Role of Politician.
THE Presidenta embarrassment per
haps would have been extreme had n,
not remembered that the role OF tn,
politician, according to his idea. Is t.
compromise with his principles and tina
the advantage of being a forceful dialec
tician consists in being able to find man,
interpretations OF the same text
president Wilson therefore wa
compelled twice to demolish the edific,
re had constructed so meticulousiy II
Paris. He informs us. for example, tha
the action of the league in case of tht
| imminence of war would have littl,
cl ance of being efficacious. each natloI
. having contracted only a moral obligs
tion toward the whole. And ne la
recognized equally that as the State
have only moral obligations toward tn,
3 league the latter would possess no means
l of preventing any member from follow
> ing it's own course II 1t 80 desired.
what remains then OF the ramou
league of supergovernment II II pos
sess no sanctions against those who re
fuse to discharge their obligations or L
respect its statutes? When In the nam
of the principles of the league Presiden
Wilson cut up the map OF Europe an,
: refused to accord to the victorious ma
tIons their Just claims. these victors sal
10 themselves: do not be too exactin
. nor too stubborn because America
military support Is we'll worth a prov
ince.'
yet. regarding Americas participa
ton under the guarantee, the Presiden
now says that in case OF evident az
gression requiring the employment o
force the United States legally Is no
8 obliged to participate, A political al
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