New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-11-30
BY Frank II. Simonds

"HE defeat of the peace
treaty will have certain con-
- sequences, as far as Europe
is concerned, which will not
he modified by any later ratifica-
ton. Chief among these conse-
quenccs will be the total discreditlng
of the league of nations. The United
States Senate may or may not have
killed the Treaty Of Versailles, so
far as American participation is
concerned, but it has destroyed the
league Of nations. And with this
destruction the way is cleared for a
European return to that system OF
the balance of power which for
centuries has been the central cir
cumstance in European history.
In saying that the league of ma
tions has been discredited and IS
doomed there is no implication that
il will be at once and formally re-
pudiated by the European nations
which have already subscribed to the
Treaty of Versailles. On the con-
trary, the various commissions ap-
pointed will meet as prescribed;
they will function for the time be-
ing, since it is Of utmost Importance
that there be no further delay, but
beneath the surface great and rapid
changes will inevitably take place
The reason is obvious. When the
President went to Europe, carrying
his league of nations project, Europe
was divided on the course to follow.
The experienced statesmen OF the
Continent had little faith IN the
league and very grave apprehensions
an to the dangers which it would
bring in its train. Some urged that
it was wise policy to give Mr.. Wilson
what he wanted, and thus in
,ure American cooperation; others
argued that the price was too high
to nay. Lloyd George settled the
debate against the advice Of Clemen-
ceau by promising Britain's aid to
Mr.. Wilson.
Wilson's Advantage
This British aid gave Mr.. Wilson
decisive advantage in the con-
ference. Clemenceau saw he was
helpless, and turned from his course
If opposition. Italy and Japan, with
obvious mental reservations, fol-
lowed suit. But if British support OF
the President was steady and French
support relatively certain, after the
promise Of American aid against
German attack, the Italian and jap
anese refusal to accept Mr.. Wilson's
decisions in the case of Fiume and
Shantung revealed the real state OF
mind, and Italy actually withdrew
from the conference, as Japan
threatened to do, when Mr.. Wilson,
with Anglo French support, stood
out in the matter Of Fiumc. Ru-
mania and Serbia presently went
also. and even Belgium threatened
to 60.
Looking backward on the Paris
conference, with the slightest regarc
for what men said and how they
acted, it is plain that the league OF
nations was opposed on principle BY
all Continental statesmen, with thu
cordial sympathy and approval O
the Japanese. 1t would have beer
openly fought and promptly kille'
but for British championship. Brit
ish championship was founded yer.
little upon faith in the league, bu
very largely upon the conviction tina
the President spoke for the Who'll
United States in demanding it.
This British adherence supple
the decisive turn for the Presiden
in Paris. American Importance /
the world, as it existed after tn
war, was fully grasped in Europe
but even the appreciation Of the in
portance of America to Europe, tn
need Of American loans, America
cooperation, would not have bee
sufficient to keep the conference t
! gether in its earlier stages and pr
\ vent a general revolt against NJ
Wilson's insistence upon combinin
the treaty and the league had Bri
ish support wavered.
The First Crisis
But British support did not wave
until toward the end Of March.
survived the shock Of the President
sudden refusal to stand by the pr
gram agreed to in his absence ar
Professionally accepted for him l
Colonial House. His veto of this pr