Evening star., 1919-08-31
A Separate Treaty.

81. A Separate Treaty.
Let il be supposed that the advice oi
Senator Knox regarding the treaty OF
peace b taken. What happenss The
Senate. rejects the treaty and the United
States stands still as at war with Ger
many, q The other powers with which
this country has until that time been
associated in the prosecution of the
war With Germany, and in the making
Of peace, are notified that the United
States- will not proceed further with
them in the drafting Of peace terms
but that the United States will 20
ahead ON its own account to make
peace with Germany separately. The
other powers will be compelled to make
some adjustments In their peace ai-
rangements, will perhaps have to re.
writo the treaty in some respects. but
will Sontrive to do without us in the
framing Of the compact which binds
the enemy to certain performances and
Obligations and depfives it Of certain
privileges and territory. Meanwhile
the United States must 60 ahead on its
own hook and make peace with q state
th4y il has fought only because it was
fshting those other states.
We would have to address Germany
and ask for a conference. We would
maine delegates, and Germany would
name delegates, and these delegates.
thus n4med by the two sides, would
meet somewhere. The meeting place
world be difficult of selection. for there
wonid be no welcome for such Z con
fefensa1 at London. or in Paris. or in
Brussels or in Rome. They might meet
at Tha Hague, or Copenhaseh, 81 Mad
rid. possibly 1t Stockholm or Chris
tiahia maybs 1t Bern. Or they might
possib3y meet 1t weimar, If not at
Washington. It would have to be 4
strictly, private affair between Ger.
many and the United States, even if
held On neutral ground.
When they got together what would
these delegates have to discussf Not
the territorial changes to be imposed
upon Germany, for We have nothing to
do with that matter. Not indemnities,
for, 1s have aifeady fsnSunesd IN
IDENTITIES and can hardly with de-
eency change our minds. Not repara-
tiols I'm the devastatsd areas Of the
war, for We have no concern in them.
Nor could they talk Of guarantees for
tho future 70 safeguard the world
against German aggression, for ws have
only our own part Of the world to CON
slider, which Is not Ekely to be scorch-
cd bt Gefman hstfed unless and until
It hss Atastsd . ps4h to NJ through the
1nsds aad waters controlled By the
Yslse piet sf those Who were once, but
afs no lonsef. oar allies.
Tkefe would be I simple session for
thS df&ftins Of ! formal declaration Of
peace, On terms which woud in NO wise
bear upon the things for which in fact
this country went to war. We would
In that treaty probably make some
provision for trading with the former
enemy, for some special concessions to
enable Gefmany to make emoney enough
to pay~ her war debts to the allies.
There might Be some reference to col
.eai<s&iea in Latin America, perhaps
some. modieum Of penalty for the
things that Germany did 70 our nj.
4ieAals before ws broke With her and
went Is war.
Ana that would be our treaty with
the enemy that the American people
hayscone to regard with loathing. II
would be treaty of justice and mercy
and forgiveness and consideration
And IL would be ratified by Germany
and, If the present tendencies now pre-.
Willing in the Senate were still active
BY this country as well.
When there is talk about making 1
separate treaty with Germany let the
matter be looked at squarely and
frankly. The prospect is not attrae.
tive, cannot be so even TO the most
determined opponent of the treaty that
new hes before the Senate for action