New-York tribune., 1919-05-14
The Evolution of an Alliance

The Evolution of an Alliance
What is the real status of the Anglo
American-French alliance? Mystifying
reports about it continue to come from
Paris.
The French newspapers were the first
to speak of this compact as an accom-
plished fact They hailed it as a salts
factory guarantee of Frances military
security, given as a compensation for
Clemenceau's failure to persuade the
council of three to cede France the left
bank oe the Rhine.
Then, on April "a, came an official de-
nial from Secretary Tumulty. He issued
this statement: "In view of the fact that
certain newspapers Of wide circulation
throughout the country have intimated
that the President has entered into a
secret alliance or treaty with some Of
the great powers, I conveyed this infor-
nation to the President, and am to-day
in receipt of cablegram from him CIV
ing positive and unqualified denial to
the story"
Later it developed that President Will
son had written a letter to Clemenceau
promising to recommend to the Senate of
the United States an agreement by
which this country should pledge itself
to go to the aid of France if the latter
were attacked by Germany.
On May the Committee on Public
information made a further announce
ment, which read:
I'm addition to the securities afforded
IN the treaty of peace, the President of
the United States has pledged himself to
propose to the Senate of the United
States and the Prime Minister of Great
Britain has pledged himself to propose to
|. the Parliament of Great Britain an en-
gagement, subject to the approval of the
council of the league of nations to come
Immediately to the assistance Of France
in case Of unprovoked attack by Ger
many"
On the same day The Associated Press
sent this rather battling statement from
Paris:
"Those close to President Wilson main
and, therefore. not inconsi istent with the
principles of the league of nations They
say it is a temporary means of assuring
French security until the league is fully
established and able to make France
secure"
On the next day it was announced at
the White House that Mr.. Tumulty had
asked the President by cable Regarding
the pledge to help aid France" and that
the President had replied as follows:
Happily. there is no mystery or privacy
about what l have promised the govern
ment here. have promised to propose to
the Senate supplement in which we shall
agree, subject to the approval of the coun-
Gil of the league of nations, to come i'm
mediately to the assistance of France in
case or unprovoked attack by Germany,
thus merely fastening the action to which
we should be bound by the covenant of the
league of nations.
Now it is reported that the smaller ma
tions are vigorously objecting to the new
triple entente and that President Wilson
is considering submitting to them a
memorandum intended to develop their
objections, if they have any, and to dis
close definitely where they stand. 1t is
also suggested that if Unanimous" OBJ
lection is shown the alliance project will
be withdrawn.
These alterations of attitude are con-
fusing and disquieting. The alliance is
something outside the peace treaty 1t
stands on its own merits. The three
powers concerned are competent to enter
into compact of this sort without ask
ing outside approval. If the original
agreement was wise (and we think it
was), why should its wisdom have to be
/ passed upon by smaller nations, which
cannot possibly defend France in case a
revengeful Germany ever feels strong
enough again to turn on her and rend
her? If the smaller nations object to the
alliance, does that doom it to failure?
What then becomes of the pledge?