Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-06-20
JUSTICE WILL NOT SPARE
GERMANY IF SHE BALKS
It Is Her Own Fate, No Longer That Of
Civilization, Which Hangs Upon the
Decision Which Her Chronic
Shutters Must at Last Make

~ option of accepting justice or hout-
| ing it was submitted to Germany. For
the Characteristic reason that moral
strength was meaningless to her she
chose the latter course. That was in
July 1914, when Sir Edward Grey pro-
posed arbitration as a substitute for i'm
pending universal strife.
The recurrence after nearly five years
of an opportunity for epochal decision is
the last that will be available. The scene
is of unparalleled and fateful solemnity.
for never before have ethical and physical
might forged a sword of such invinci-
bility and dazzling luster. BY rejection
| of the treaty of Versailles or by a shift
| ing, evasive reply. that weapon will be
! put into play which will not cease until
the aims which it symbolizes are at
| tanned.
The awful reality of this instrument
! is probably much more keenly appre
! ciated by Germany than external indica
! tions suggest. That she has failed, how
ever, to comprehend it completely is evil
dent from her insdious and oblique tao
tics at the peace table, from her per-
| sistently unrepentant attitude and from
| her eleventh hour efforts to confuse and
corrupt the public opinion of civilization.
Fortunately, her struggles along this
| last line have been largely futile. In
| France, in Britain, in Italy and America
the conviction abides that justice, more
imposing because of the magnitude of
the offense than ever before in history, is
the burden of the treaty.
Occasionally, however, befogged SEN
timentalism, a perverted mawkishneSs
has obtrudcd itself. Advocacy Of a code
so pernicious involves total misconcep
ton of the spirit which animated the as
socated powers at the beginning of the
war and still moves them at its immi
nent close. In particular, the meaning
of the armistice has been at times fla
grantly misinterpreted.
Of the two parties to that truce on
November II, 1918, but one enjoyed the
privilege of free choice. Theoretically,
Germany could have continued the con-
fict. Practically her doom was as clearly
written by the strategic and numerical
strength of her foes, their equipment
and their superb morale as though the
campaign had been pursued to its culmi-
nation in a Sedan or Waterloo.
The Teutonic sense of realities when
they are at last unacceptable prevailed.
1t was inevitable that the fallen empire
should sign the pact to cease fighting.
No such obligation halted the other
combatants. What the Allies clearly
| recognized on armistice day was the
spirit of humanity which shuddered at
| useless sacrifice when the ends of a long
outraged justice were to be gained with
out further bloodshed But Foch
sheathed his sword in firm trust that
righteousness was not to be cheated of
scintilla of its stupendous victory.
1t was with that conviction that civili-
| zation made its independent choice to
stack arms.
1t is with that same confidence that it
will shoulder them again in vindication
of principles just as inspiring as they
were in the darkest days of the war
agony.
German hypocrisy having failed to OBJ
scure the issue during the period of the
peace deliberations, it remains for Ger
| man impenitence, of which there are nu-
merous disgusting signs, to challenge the
temper of justice by refusal to sign the
| treaty. 1t is hardly conceivable that the
frenzy which has brought the Teutonic
dominion to the dust will not be mode
rated in this final crisis. IF, however, it
should not, new and terrible testimony of
the ancient truth that those whom fate
designs for destruction are first made
mad will be recorded.
The last attack upon refractory Ger
many is certain to let loose passions
goaded by the most appalling provoca-
ton. though hitherto held in check for
nearly five years. The Germany which
is physically untouched by desolating
war, the Germany which has capitalized
to the utmost Of its ability the plea for
mercy, the Germany which faces the
future surrender of part of its wealth
while some of it's victors have immediate
knowledge of what the most frightful
losses mean, will by perversity arouse q
righteous anger of immeasurable in
tensity.
The poilu has admittedly chafed at or,
ders which seemed subversive of the doc
trine of atonement. Belgium will recall
the four years of violation, Britain the
sea-slaughter, America the stern anc
lofty principles for which she entered
the fray.
One orgy of wrath can, of course, neve
compensate for another and the invasion
of Germany, should it become necessary
will doubtless be conducted along civil
ICED and honorable lines. But the pres
sure that will be exerted will be alto
gether different from the beneficent rul
which has prevailed in the Rhinelan
; since the armistice.
The Hun as Shylock will undergo tn
punishment of Shylock. Such mercy a
has been shown will make way for jus
, | 4;oo aud itc assertion will be unmodifiaf