Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-04-23

what about the other nations which
are even more in need of defense =?
With them, unless the league of ma
tions achieves success that is doubtful
at the beginning, it will be as always
has been the Casa survival of the
fittest-and the edifice so carefully
constructed in precept will fail in use.
There are today questions of press
ing nature which the conference cannot
settle. and it requires the gift of
prophecy to say that they will contin-
ue TO plague future generations for
years TO come.
Date Matter of Doubt
April %, announced as the peace
date, is apocryphal. 1t is true that the
Germans will be called to Versailles
to receive draft of the peace treatry
but they will not sign it then, nor will
they be ready for signature for many
days thereafter. But even when--and
even if-they do sign the treaty, what
then? Substantially all that will be
settled by the signature will be the
military and territorial terms, with
the other phases of the treaty to be eff
fectual later. if at all.
The economic, financial, repara-
tional and other pronouncements of
the treaty depend upon time and
ability to be put into execution. They
are so delcately balanced that a slight
disturbance may cause they collapse.
The subjects of the reparational and
economic terms are admittedly prob
lens that largely will be effected by
developments. Germany's attitude in
the after-peace period will greatly
qualify their application.
Preparations Obscure
The clauses of the reparation
treaty have been drafted deliberately
with the view of making them mean
all things to all men. They show
policy of obscurity that will prove
their own undoing. AS they stand they
may be twisted to satisfy even those
who took Premier Lloyd George seri-
ouly in his wild prediction profises
when he pledged himself to recover
100000, 100000 from Germany, and
to please those who favor terms that
while just, shall not cause rancor and
unrest to the enemy.
Only today the British experts
permitted a story to be spread that
$50, 900, 100000 would be the mini
mum, while at the same time tn
French authorities figured that $780,
600, 100000 would be nearer right
The French calculation is accepted by
those who have studied the situation
and who understand that the Ger
many of old is gone, never to return,
and that today the former empire is
IL mere shell of its earlier power and
wealth. These fear that the IMPOSE
ton of too heavy load, whether real
or seeming, will break down such lit
tie stability as exists in the defeated
nation and throw it further into chaos
than it is now
Must BE Reasonable.
That is the view of trained observ-
ers who have recently been in Ger
many and who expect that her COM
missioners will sign, provided the trea-
ty is within limits that will permi
them to return to their people with
out of reputation.
1t is not pity or sympathy that ac-
yates these students, but realization
that If there Is to be any responsible
element with which the treaty can be
negotiated, 1t must be given the OPP
portunity of holding the confidence Of
the country.
On the whole 1t must be said that
terms to be exacted from Germany.
Some portions of the treaty have
been misrepresented, when it was
feared that they might be regarded
as too lenient. This is especially true
in Great Britain, where the premier
is training at the moment with the |
stronger peace" advocates as against |
the other factions favoring clean |
peace" Therefore he is under the |
necessity of portraying each separate
clause as being extreme in severity, |
for the most part they can
not justly be so described.
Military Terms Drastic.
The military terms do fall into the |
extreme category. They are more |
drastic than even the conferences |
advisers wished to demand |
and by military men it is expected |
that Germany will request their re-
consideration. l know personally two
members of the war council who feel
this way, and even Marshal Foch IS
quoted as saying that the minimum
force that Germany can get along
with is 100000 men, instead Of the
100, 900 now set.
. Further, army experts believe that |
with the spread of -militarism in
Germany she will be unable to main
-ain her soldiery without CONSUMPTION,
which has been prescribed.
But the menace to the world does
lot lie in the terms to Germany. 1t
les in the inability to satisfy the as
Dirations of those on the other side of
he council table. Japan, China Bel
GUM, Italy, Jugo-Slavia, Poland,
Szecho-Slovakia Roumania, Greece
.hese are but few of the long list
Who are clamoring for attention and
who have evoked national passions to
support their ambitions that will not
De easily stilled.
Ireland, for Instance.
And then there are those other dis |
urbing factors not possessing the
iignity of peace representation but
strong in their potentially for disor-
Ter, such as Ireland, India, Egypt
.ithuania, Corea and other disaffected
'egions. Nor does this summary take
nto account the unsettled conditions
n the enemy states like Austria Hun
,ary, Turkey and Bulgaria, to say
lothing Of Germany.
These states will not always be enc
MES. That status passes once the
leaty is signed, and their fate will
,e one of Bolshevism That is the
biggest problem of peace, so pro-
laimed by President Wilson himself
md yet on that subject nothing, and
v, 'se than nothing, has been done.
is openly admitted that the Paris |
It; esmanship has so far proved itself
IN lual to the task, and that an in
liz nent cannot be evaded by asking
L.