The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-09-26
FRENCH CANNOT UNDERSTAND
WHY THE AMERICANS HESITATE
TO RATIFY THE PEACE TREATY

have been awaiting peace For
months they were afraid that Ger
n1any's possible refusal of the peace
terms wiuld necessitate a fresh out
break of hostilities. At last Ger
many signed. and now because of our
American friends. must douht again
be cast on the whole situation? Inn
agine tho surprise, the dissilusion ard
anger that would greet such an out
come. The FreDch-American under
standing, especially strong arnonr the
troops would suffer a severe blow.
But the feeling OF insecurity result
ing in France be wen more serious.
French Still Fear Germany
Our people will not trust Germany
FOR some time TO come. The Anglo
French and Franco-An1erican alliance
Is our greatest hope. now that the
league OF nations has become such a
weakened instrument Should Ameri-
ca withdraw now France could not
stand alone, but would be forced 10
throw herself into the arms of Eng
land, to combine with the Czecho~
Slovaks. Poles, Rurnanians, etc,
@gainst the possible day of Germany's
awakening, supported. by a turbulent
Russia
We would thus have 70 return to tho
= ola policy Of large armament ana
hIiaffcs OF power, ~nfen 'we~%the
fundamental cause of the past catas-
trophe. ..
The weakness of Germany itself IN
that case would turn into a new e
ace. Under the empire OF the Hohen-
zollerns and the Harpsburgs diploma
cy was able to maintain a balance of
power. But how is it to be continued
with this mass of newly arisen small
states whose frontiers and aspirations
are still n%ebulous, and who arc in the
throes OF social revolution? Were
the United States to retire who would
arbitrate for US? All central Europe
is Balkanized and France once more
sees the dark clouds of war on the
horizon.
Now to attain economic reconstruc-
ton, she needs, not a pfecarious
peace but a peace that will give her
entire confidence in the future.
From the point of view of finance,
France is still under the regime OF
war. Prohibition of imp%ortations
controls operations Of exchange
law still reign, For eight months,
: since the singning of the armistice.
!. France has waited with growing i'm
patience for the end OF a system
which paralyzes her energy, leading
her inevitably into the path of ever
rising prices. After all, Germany has
{ officially acknowledged her defeat,
This is to the masses sufficient reason
in itself for the. resumption of bus
mess.
We IA already begun by tho pro-
mitigation OF Il few minor degrees 70
relieve the insufferable burden Of
militarisni. We are hoping that/cap-
,tal will feel encouraged to invest
larger sums on the stock exchange.
encouraging new enterprises on every
hand, Credit win be extended to
every one n there will be work for
all under the new conditions; tho de-
modified soldiers will be given the
capital and employYne nt necessary 10
start life af-esh.
II was with this hope in their
hearts that the people greeted vic
tory.
A Dark Picture.
Tell these ex-soldiers tomorrow that
the treaty will not be ratified, that
America does not guarantees it's full
nllmcnt, and you will see all their
Capital viii withdraw its assistance,
business win stop, and for many
months those same soldiers will live
in idleness. their discomfort growing
into anger as time goes on
This may seem a lark picture to my
American readers. but had they seen,
as die, the reaction following our
victory celebration. they would not
accuse me OF exaggeration. The lights
Of the festival were still burning and
The sgaudy decorations In place when a
general strike of twenty-four hours
was ordered.
What did the workmen want, that
they should use for the frst time this
revolutionary weapon?
No more Intervention In Hungary
ana Russia. i
Immediate rehabilitation
General amnesty.
= No duty on imports.