New-York tribune., 1919-03-06
Ncao York Trso7'ne

ww vITH the evident intention of making
w the pei peace conference appear rldic"-
lous, the "Berliner Tagebatt"
Gently printed the following article, "The
Tower of Babel signed by "Viendre," of
the Hague:
"Delegates from twenty-five different
countries have appeared at the onesided
peace conference of the Allies in Paris.
They are comforting about Germany, but
also about themselves. Some discussed
by others, and, as it is impossible for
twenty five countries to speak at once, it
is, on the whole, better for the larger coun-
tries to do the talking and for the smaller
ones to remain silent. What am l to say
about Honduras, Liberia and Nicaragua
exclaimed Poncare in his address of well
come 1t was the most enlightened moment
of his speech.
Germany is tactfully keeping out of this
high court of justice, where sentence is be-
ing passed, so that the condemned may have
the appearance Of being executed But for
the very reason that we have had hand
in the preparation of this Partisan salad
may permit ourselves to indulge in
Platonc laughter long the procedure
continues. We will be censured for this.
But no one change the circumstances.
We will one and all testify calmly that this
colossal action on the part of all the cOun-
tries bears striking resemblance to very
human, and consequently to very pleas
ing, drama. What seems to these gentle
mon and their countries a weighty, sacred
and serious occasion remains to US, in
nj oto oil
sion, in many respects charming theatr-
cal entertainments At least we may be per
mtted to enjoy a participation of this
nature. No one cherishes any ilusions 5
to the denouement. and it appears,
according to the reports from Paris, the
end will not concern us. Only an aesthetic
pleasure is left to us. Therefore, as we are
now permitted to contemplate the dividing
UP of the world in hitherto undreamed of
and massive proportions, and the part of
silent witness only has been reserved for
US, the German people are hereby hidden to
look ntently and for its own rare amuse
ment at this drama of the worlds history.
"Here is only one example of its fascna-
ton. The English brought q small army of
ocksmiths with them to Paris, whose duty
it was to change all the locks in the various
palaces which were to house the delegates
from England Rooms, cupboards and bu-
reaus were all equipped according to the
latest peace delegate fashion. This mag
nifcent precauton, which displayed
splendid confidence in their Partisan sur
roundngs, is but one illustration of British
forethought. At the Hotel Majestic, rented
largely for the English, no visitors may be
received The great reception hall serves
as rampant for this fortress. No one may
enter without pass. The dwellings of the
English are therefore free from all socia-
bility. The official communications take
place at the Hotel Astoria, near the Arc de
Triomphe. This hotel has been rather
disappointment and has therefore become
interesting. The steam heat in the apart
ment of Lord Robert Cecil still does not
behave as it should. And this potentate
happens to be most susceptible to cold.
How do such things affect politics? The
rooms are too small. Balfour especially,
loves spacious chambers Therefore he is
obliged to play all the more golf in the
Bos de Boulogne, which he does unhesi-
tatingly. The English brought their own
servants with them, even to their BARRIERS.
The personnel of the Majestic and the
Astoria protested upon being dismissed. An
effort was made at a settlement.
"The housing question assumed the pro-
portions of a veritable ceremony. The
Americans are now living in state at the
Hotel Crillon, on the Place de la Concorde;
the Italians at the Hotel Edouard VII, a
disgracefully banal, modern caravanserai
near the Madeleine; the Belgians in the
cheerful old Hotel Lott, on the Rue Cas-
tglione; while the Japanese, after driving
out the Dutch delegates perhaps as a little
taste of further Japanese-Dutch disposses-
sion-have acquired the Hotel Bristol, on
the Place Vendome The allotment of the