Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-19
eyes Front"


t!caiiy unanimous in the opinion
tia. President Wilson has failed
utterly at his seN-appointed task Of
remaking the wreck OF the war in
accord with his ideas of what a nice
L. regulated world ought to be. Blu.
further than that he has fostered for
himself and the United States a fund
OF enmity and distrust which will
persist for years to come. The good
opinion which Europe had Of Amer
lea was raised to the nth power by
he- glorious participation in the war.
and the President himself rode in on
top Of the wave and mistook the
piaudits Of the European peoples TO
him. as the representative Of his
country, for personal alteration.
During the months he has passed
in Paris he has succeeded in aliena:-
ing some peoples altogether and in
lowering the esteem Of all. without
producing anything on the credit side
OF the account for this country. Italy
las proclaimed her opinion Of him in
no uncertain terms by the cry:
Down with Wilson. Long live
America France feels that she
has been ruthless!y sacrificed in or
Ger to further his personal schemes:
Russia has been more than once on
the verge OF betrayal through his
mistaken methods of diplomacy;
even in England where has been
hand in glove with Lloyd-George
throughout the proceedings his
popularity has felt a decline; and
then there are the Germans, who
pinned their hopes to the II points
and staked all on Wilson. now cali
ing him to account for what they
term their betrayal.
He undertook too big a job and
went at it like an old hand when he
was as unfamiliar with the ms and
outs Of European tactics as an ordi-
nary layman. We may admire his
courage. but we condemn his judR-
ment. But post mortems of this
kinds are always unpleasant and un-
necessary. Having agreed that the
past six months have been a failure,
the next thing to do is to see that the
next six do not go the same way.
Two courses are open. one Of which
Is inevitable: il the Germans sign
the treaty. means must be taken to
enforce the provisions Of it; il they
reject it. the war must be finished.
In either case the world still has a
big job On its hands, and needs all
the time and talent available to per-
form it.
II the treaty is signed and we are
sure Of the end Of this war, we may
and must Immediately begin to make
up time for the years lost in fight
ing. All the factors which make I'D
our everyday life wait on the coming
OF peace. Every day that the uncer-
tainty continues is a loss that can not
be estimated. At best it will take
years to anywhere nearly approach
the status quo ante in even our little
towns and villages. They have all
felt the vibrations from the earth.
quake OF war. And in the devas-
tated districts Of Europe lies an al
most impossible task The iuterna-
tional relationships to which we shall
be bound by the treaty must bs at
once worked out in detail. and our
role Of European dnancier. in chief
be staged for q continuous perform
ance. A. host Of things are just ready
to spring into activity as soon as the
ink Of the treaty Is wet.
Or. il the treaty Is not signed, we
must so back to our war basis and
continue the war this time until
Marshal Foch secures the uncondi-
tional surrender that viii end it.
II this alternative be taken. let US in
the name of Heaven and the future,
not make the fatal mistake Of
negotiating with the enemy. Let US
be prepared to meet the situation,
whatever it may be- After these
periods Of war and armistice we
ought not to be surprised at any,
thing. We ought to be able to rise
to the emergency over and on our
past mistakes.
Let's not waste time in '1t.misht.
have-beens."