The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-02-28
CONDITIONS

Those wary and timorous statesmen, who fear, or feign 70
fear, that the peace conference will bring evil upon this county,
would have historical basis for their skepticism were it not for
the fact that conditions have changed, and the personalities are
unlike any that ever assembled before. When Napoleon had
devastated Europe, and was caught alive in a pit like a wolf,
and sent to the island Of Elba in May, 1914, a congress Of
nations to settle the overturned affairs of the world was called
at Vienna for October of the same year. The delegates were
slow in arriving and getting to work, and while awaiting the
arrival of the tardy, Others sought diversion in amusements, and
these continued when all the delegates had arrived. Austria was
the host and paid all expenses, amounting to $4,000 per day,
or $l40O00O in all. Austria having an ak to grind let them
60 as far as they liked, and it was a winter OF carnival. Balls,
operas, oratorios, lectures, and men and women INDUCED
IN excuses the most SaacouS. 1t was a congress of
arbitrary rulers and hereditary monarchs, who came to adjust
matters to suit themselves, without reference to the people, to
economic conditions or to racial or chronological predictions.
1t was a land grabbing congress, and therefore one of intrigue.
The most powerful monarch present was Gar Alexander Of
Russia. The most powerful personages present were Prince
Ligne, Belglan-born, but in the service of Austria, and Talley-
rand. Metternich represented Austria, Castlereagh and Well
ington England, and every European state was represented by
one or more royal personages, accompanied by a train of lobby
lists and specialists, who thronged the gorgeous salons and all
meeting places where discussions were held and bargains were
struck, to be formally confirmed at a regular meeting. 1t was
a riot of greed and sensuaity, and while Talleyrand talked
idealism and Prince Ligne international fraternity, each country
tried to overreach and get the better of the other. 1t was old
time diplomacy carried on very often i'll the language OF the
Michigan logging camp. Much was prevented and but little was
accomplished and that little were better left undone. In order
to thwart Russia Talleyrand had to start Prussia on her career
by laying the foundation of the structure that Bismarck COM
pleted in years afterward. A repetition of this orgy was not.
to be feared at Versailles. Times had changed. The delegates
were representative and not acting for themselves. They were
lei agents o unelr people at nome, who are first IN lmpor-
lance, and principals who must be first considered and
served. President Wilson had much of the urbanity, suavity
and scholarship of Taleyrand, but as he was seeking nothing
for his country his forces were directed and consecrated to the
general good. Other nations were committed to the American
policy, so that there could be no danger of harm resulting to.
anyone. Besides this at Versailles everything is open and above
board. There are no intrigues nor secret treaties, AT the outset
some OF the smaller countries tried to play politics by forming
secret combinations, but they were given to understand that
nothing of the kind would be tolerated. Publicity has made
this conference different from any other ever held, and every
country is s~afeguarded. America is the Ajax of the convocation,
and certainly has nothing to fear, and only an unworthy
puslanimity can have any msgivings.
Everything should be done to help and nothing to hinder
the great work so auspiciously begun.
The world is being remade, and public men should prove
themselves worthy of a place in it.