The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-29
FRANCE OPENS WAY
TOLEAGUE CHANGES


mise reached IL may wen ne asked IL
France can request new negotiations
with the Allies with respect to unsatis-
factory parts Of the treaty. why cannot
the United States make a similar de-
mand concerning those reservations
which II deems vital to Its own interests?
A question put in the Chamber by NJ.
Renaudel. the Socialist leader. Is causing
the Government some embarrassment.
Calling attention TO Article ", which
says that the first meeting of the League
OF Nations shall be called by the Presi-
dent of the United States. he asked how
the league would begin to function n the
treaty was not ratified by the United
States, or II President Wilson had not
given UP his right to participate in the
league. The question was not answered.
More and more In the comment In Par
Lament and out of It there appears the
idea that what sentiment Is behind the
league here Is due to the belief which
seems to prevail in all France that
through the addition of a new section the
league can become OF economic assist
ance to France and the United States
can be made to bear some Of Frances
financial burdens.
Little Confidence I'm League.
Never was confidence throughout
Europe In the variability of the League
OF Nations less than at the present
time. 1t may be debated seriously in
the American Senate, IL may be de-
Tended by Premier Clemenceau and his
highly efficient aid, Capt Andre Tar
dieu. or by Premier Lloyd George, but
that does not hide the fact, apparent to
every one who mingles in political and
diplomatic circles here. who comes into
contact not only with French opinion
but with the Italians. Jugo-Slavs,
Greeks and Rumanians, that the league
cannot and will not function in the way
that its promoters insist that 1t will and
that even II II should be set in motion It
probably will break down of its own
weight under the first big problem that
1t essays to solve.
Its chief reliance, or rather that OF its
promoter. President Wilson, is the eco
nomic weapon and that is regarded here
as of little value because its use against
any nation implies concert of purpose,
solidarity of other nations such as
cannot be attained, It is argued. What
Is more. the continual brandlshing of
that weapon by the American represen-
tatives here and the implied threats that
America will use 1t is stirring up re-
sentiment which Is reacting severely
against the United States.
Plainly under the inspiration of the
President, the Americans here have been
talking constantly of the use of this
weapon In connection with the problems
now before the Peace Conference, and
threats, even though they are supported
to some extent by Great Britain, already
are driving the other nations into op-
position groups. They bring up all the
political and trade rivalries of Europe.
Rumanian blockade Farce.
Rumania is defying the conference be-
cause she has grain to sell and France
wants to buy It rather than be indebted
to the United States for her sustenance.
Consequently the economic blockade of
Rumania Is a farce. according to every
body in well informed French circles, as
France Is contracting for this grain
while she Processes to be trying to use
economic pressure on Rumania.
The threat of economic isolation for
Italy should DAnnunzio's party win and
the annexation of Fiume be declared
meets with the statement In the highest
French circles that France could not af-
ford to participate In any such policy
against Italy. How then, It lie argued
can unanimity, such as the covenant pro-
poses shall be required for the adoption
of such policies. ever be brought about
The answer is being found every day
II Is contended. in the Peace Council IT.
self. which. In the view generally held
in Europe. is virtually the Council Of the
League trying to function in advance
In view of the actual defiance of It's
power by nation like Italy such una.
nimity is not possible. in the view of nine
in ten persons one encounters in the
various diplomatic circles grouped
around the conference.
This is the view held by men of the
Conservative party, here and by Socialist
leaders OF the same type, like Albert
Thomas. Thinking men in whom the
lust for power is not the predominant
motive and who are closest to the
troubles which the league will have or
its hands II 1t ever becomes a going
concern see In much of the mechanism
which President Wilson and his sup.
porters are defending in America moth.
ing short of absurdity. This is the
view of many who might be considered
reasonably az unprecedented observers
Yet with the peace treaty tied up to the
league nobody now clearly sees a way
out.
Sympathy for Reservations.
A large part of French opinion sym.
pathizes with IL 1t does not voice openly
Its Endorsement of the reservations
which the United States wishes to make
before committing itself to the plan al
framed here by President Wilson, Col
e. M. House, Gen. Jan C. SHUTS ant
Lord Robert Cecil That the league will
bring about disarmament long ago be-
came q shattered Illusion.
Perhaps the best commentary on tn,
League of Nations Is the speech o.
Premier Clemenceau In the Chamber Of
Deputies as reported fully In the Offcid
Journal. Then the point was brought
up as to how France would act unde,
the covenant If called upon to defend
Germany under Article X. he said thai
until the league adopted the power Of
military sanction. so far as he was con.
cerned, he would refuse to mobilize O
single French soldier to go to the defence
Of Germany"
The growing impatience IN Europe
to know President Wilson's decision tr
regard to an American mandate in Tur.
key was emphasized to-day In what II
evidently an inspired editorial article
In the MGtin urging that the Peace Con.
ference begin the Turkish negotiation,
regardless of the American answer, con
tending that the system of mandates 1,
not a solution of the Turkish question
The article points out that 1t woult
be only with the greatest difficulty tina
the United States could consent TO such 2
mandate. which, would necessitate 4
large military expedition. and as Franc,
never would permit Great Britain t.
gain a still hrmer hold in the Orien
through a mandate. there remains blu