The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-04-10
NO REAL TROUBLE

The situation at the peace conference, without any real
provocaton, has reached the stage of an acute crisis. Presi
dent Wilson apparently has come to feel that France is seeking
an advantage over the other allies that is not warranted nor
based upon the justice of her claims. The French claim that
President Wilson and Lloyd George would leave France at the
mercy Of the Germans.
There are two angles to the situation, which appear to be
irreconciable, but which make it obvious that there is a basis
for apprehension on the part OF the nations whose ideas are
in conflict.
From the time of the German invasion to the signing OF
the armshce the sympathy of America was with France. There
were material bonds and ties Of sentiment that had linked the
two great nations together for more than a century. There
were repeated evidences of a desire to render every possible
assistance to France. After the entry Of the United States into
the war there were stories OF the splendid fellowship among the
French and American soldiers. The same was not always true
of the relations Of the Americans with the British, although they
spoke the same language and had the same customs and habits
But when the armistce was signed France began to make
out her bills, and they were amazing. The French are a thrifty
people. The fight to drive back the invading hordes OF Ger
mans for the salvation of France was an expensive undertaking
for the United States. 1t was found that the French were not
an altogether sentimental people. The soldiers said that was
true of the shopkeepers in France.
Obviously there has been a change of sentiment-not a
complete change, but at least the enthusiasm for France has
waned, President Wilson was acclaimed by the French people
They welcomed him as their savior. He was accorded an
unparalleled welcome by the people OF every country, but the
French were especially demonstrative. Now he is being attacked
by a part of the French press. 1t is charged that he is attempt
ing to "blaekmalr, by ordering Tsr Eg.tts to france aIn;e, the he, snip :. upon I%d T ioSd
George are not manfeshng a sufficient amount Of interest IN
the future Of France. -@
1t is doubtful il any treaty can make France secure from
future cordial relations between France and England or the
United States and France, or between any two nations on earth.
The presidents idea, as we gather it, is to make a peace Of
justce-justce to the foe as well as to the ally. He has stated
that no peace can endure which has for its foundation anything
but justice. The Germans imposed an unjust peace upon France
and France did not forgive or forget. The day Of retribuuon
finally came, and France has regained her possessions.
1t is difficult for France to treat the Germans with fairness
or to concede that they deserve to be treated Justly. France is
warranted in her desire to extract the full cost of her misery
from her ancient foe. But, after all the passions have cleared
away, the world will measure the peace terms not according
to prejudice, but according to justice.
President Wilson is far-seeing, His vision is unclouded by
the passions that have blinded the brave and heroic people OF
France, who fought four years to save themselves from serfdom,
He is in accord with the desire to place upon Germany the full
responsibility for her crimes, and to extract the penalty to the
last farthing. He is in accord with the idea that Germany
should not be permitted to become a militant power, and he
favors the plan of dismantling her great forts,
Jealousies and p~rejudices are bound to arise in the consider
alton of subjects OF such vital consequence, but in the final
analysis the president is warranted in his vexation over the delay
in reaching a definite agreement, and France cannot be blamed
for her apprehensions. France is not to be abandoned by her
allies, nor will the allied natiops lose the confidence of France.