The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-17

w THEN Germany after much ex-
NJ asperating delay affixed her
signature in the Palace of
Versailles to the treaty, imposed upon
her by the Bntente-sfgned it with
her fingers crossed and without the
slightest intention OF fulfilling the
pledges contained therein, which her
people regard as invalidated through
their having been extorted by force
mdjeure-the world rashly assumed
that the great war was at an end.
In France, in Great Britain and in
America the impression prevailed that
the victorious peace SO ardently hoped
for, prayed for and fought for during
all these terrible years OF unparalleled
bloodshed and destruction had been at
tanned, and national rejoicings were
the order of the day. Our Joy was un-
restrained and was carried to extrava-
CANT lengths.
But our festivities were premature.
True, we had succeeded in obtaining
Germanys reluctant agreement to a
peace which, while 1t failed to fulfil
our aspirations or to satisfy the re-
quirements put forward by Marshal
Foch and the principal military lead
srs Of the Entente, was nevertheless
declared by the statesmen responsible
for its negotiation to be the best peace
obtainable under the circumstances.
But President Wilson sailed for home
and Prime Minister Lloyd George re-
turned TO England without coming to
any decision about the situation in the
southeast Of Europe. or with regard
TO the disposition of the Ottoman EN-
pire-also without coming to any
agreement on the subject Of Russia.
The so-called Big Four separated
without even crossing the threshold
Of the problems relating to the
Balkans or the Ottoman Empire In
Europe and in Asia, and to Russia,
west and east OF the Trails; three prob
lens whose solution is essential to the
stability of Europe and to the peace
of the entire world.
These problems, each of them en-
bracing dozens of issues of an even
more menacing character as regards
the establishment of a lasting peace
than even the differences dealt with In
our treaty with Germany, were left
unsolved. and some of them have now
become so acute that It is by no means
improbable that within a very brief
period the Powers OF the Entente may
Be called upon to reembark in a great
var-greater than that which has Just
been brought to a conclusion, and FOR
which they are no longer prepared IN
either military or an economic sense.
Foch's Solemn WARMING.
Theaa are no idle fears. They are
sptertasped by such great military
uoumanders and experts as Foch and
HAig. Foch felt 80 strongly about
thu unsatisfactory nature of the situa-
ten that he aalivered a written PRO-
test against the conditions OF peace
imposed upon Germany. and against
other decisions of the international
congress in Paris, as wholly made
quate to avert war. even In the neal
future.
He went to the length OF quarrellins
with his old friend and ally, Premiei
clemenceau, about the matter, and ir
the great military pageants organized
in Paris and In London to celebrate
the peace with Germany, functions ir
which he necessarily played a leading
part, his face wore an expression Of
such intense gravity and concern as Il
excite general comment, by reason o.
its striking contrast TO the unconfinet
Joy OF the people that lined the streets
Foch's strained and earnest look