Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-05
Who Will Sign the Treaty?

Monday, May S, 1919.
Who Will Sign the Trsaty?
Ever since the day Of the armistice
the one absorbing question has been
whether Germany would sign a peace
treaty. The question is now resolv-
ing into the vastly more important
one whether anybody will sign 1t.
Marshal Foch has been concerned
with preparations for dealing with
Germany should she display an in
tractable mood, and past experience
justifies the belief that he could again
bring her to terms.
AS matters stand now it is fairly
certain that Italy will not sign unless
some kind Of settlement is made
which is in keeping with the wishes
of the Italian people: France and
Great Britain are bound by the Pact
of London not to sign unless Italy
does; Belgium will not sign unless she
gets some promise Of future aid
which is satisfactory to her; the
smaller nations who have not so
= much at stake will, of course, not
sign without the larger powers: it is
still a question whether America will
let President Wilson sign a separate
treaty Of not. Even If he should do
so the war would not be over by any
means.
But Marshal Foch could not
deal with these refusals. They are
not matters Of military policy but Of
sane craftsmanship. justice and mu
tual goodwill, for which the world
has looked almost in vain since the
Paris conference assembled.
This appalling contingency Of an
unsigned treaty is the result Of OBJ
stinacy, ignorance Of facts. political
intrigue and desire to crafty per-
sonal vanity which is not wholly con-
fined to any one member of the con-
ticeable In certain quarters where we
are particularly interested.
Late reports from the American
correspondents vaguely promise that
regardless of Italy's wishes, Of any
feeling Of International courtesy
toward her. of the joint treaty obliga-
tions of France and Great Britain
with her, the Allies will go ahead
with the making of peace. But just
here France and Great Britain them
selves step in and show an apprecia-
BILE sensitiveness about making scraps
Of paper out of documents bearing
their signatures. France is especial
ly loyal to her engagements and dis
plays the same noble sanity and
sense of right dealing she has main
tanned all along. On Saturday Gle
menceau, telegraphing to Luzzati. the
former italian Prime Minister. repu-
dated with great emphasis the init
nation that France was considering.
or might consider, disregard Of her
agreements with Italy. He declared
1t did not comport with French ideas
Of honor to esteem treaties scraps
Of paper"
On Thursday cable. dispatches re-
port that America and England are
willing but France is still standing
out. The despatch follows the fore
going statement with this monstrous
and abominable piece Of impertinence
which is evidently a declaration of
policy:
"Surrender of the French insistence of
the League of Nations amendments,
however. gives rise 20 the belief that
President Wilson will be able to over
come French opposition on this point
Also"
At the same time France is defend
ing her honor and striving to keep
together the priceless alliance be-
tween the nations which won the war
SO that they may also make peace.
The continued friendship Of France
for Italy was expressed by President
Poincare in a message today to the
Italian people sent through the asso-
citation Of France and Italy. The
message said:
ITALY and France, as closely - in
ing will separate them. A break in
their friendship would be a catastrophc
for Latin civilization and for humanity
France remains faithful to its engage
mente: its sympathies and its tradi-
TONS
The reasons given by the American
peace delegation press agents for be-
lieving that France and Great Brit.
ain will repudiate their Pact of Lon
don engagements not to make q sep
arate peace hinge mainly but lamely
on the statement that conditions have
changed since the pact was signed.
OF course they have changed. No set
Of conditions ever remains tho same
for two days or even for two hours.
At the time the pact was signed ev.
everybody knew and devoutly hoped
that conditions would change, and