The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-16

later discussions. At present there is no
real Austria and we have only a power
less Turkey to deal with. Turkey would
or course, be dismembered and It IL a
matter OF vital, pressing importance to
decide what shall be done with the
Straits or any ono of tho half dozen
parts Into which the Turkish Empire is
TO be divided. The main thing Ia to get
peace with Germany as rapidly as pos
sible
Two great questions still have to be
decided before this can be possible. We
can cut away everything which does not
directly AFFECT Germany and leave out
OF consideration altogether the series Of
questions which will have to be settled
among the Allies as to mandates, dis
posal OF German ships. the Adriatic uues-
tion, tho fate of the Turkish Empire
Those two main questions are repara-
lions and indemnitiee and the western
frontiers of Germany, for, practically
speaking, the eastern frontiers and
northern limits OF Germany have been
settled.
French Insist on Security.
1t cannot be too clearly stated that
the French on the west desire no an
rexalon up to left bank OF the Rhine.
but II would be a mistake to imagine
that the French would not be bitterly
disappointed II complete security along
that frontier was not given to them
In the opinion here OF the best quail
fed military experts that security can
only be obtained by inter- allied occu-
patton OF all tho Rhine bridges across
which Germany has been able TO hurl her
troops TO the sprinsboard OF invasion
constituted by the left bank Of the Rhine
without bridges and without permission
to fortify within thirty miles of the
east bank OF the Rhine tho chances
of successful military gamble would
be very slim. The suggestion may seem
at frst sight difficuit to realize, but there
are q whole number OF problems the
settlement Of which will demand sac
rifces.
France does not want to create an
other Alsace-Lorraine, she does not want
TO have to administer a large number
of German speaking populations on the
left bank of the Rhine. but II she and
her allies are 10 occupy the bridges of
the Rhine II II clear there will have
to be some guarantee of security In the
rear OF those forces OF occupation and II
seems almost inevitable that general
policing OF German regions on the left
OF the Rhine will have to be carried
on by the Allies for some years to
come.
In many ways the Allies do not appear
TO be acting politically toward Germany
with sufffoient visor at the present mo-
| ment. In the opinion OF many French
writers they are not sufficiently encour-
| aging many movements there which
| have separstist tendencies. Be that as II
may, this Is certain, that any occupa-
ton by the Allies OF the Rhine bridges
II II Is TO give France any security. will
be accompanied by the creation OF q Ger
man buffer state on the left bank OF the
Rhine
AS far as can be ascertalned there
has been no discussion yet as 70 the
| length OF time OF such an occupation
whether II should be permanent or for
fixed number OF years or whether Il
should be n4ade dependent upon the ra-
pdity with which Germany wipes of her
| debts toward the Allies.
Constitution Forces Delays.
The course OF the Paris conference
has shown that Washington was a very
far seeing statesman, and If he had
known that such a conference as that
now sitting in Paris WAS to meet and
had still desired to keep America FAR
from European ENHANCEMENT he could
not have devised a better instrument of
| obstruction than the American Constitu-
| lion.
At every turn constitutional questions
| affecting the States are arising out OF
the necessity OF Senate ratification and
have their influence in delaying or in
modifying decisions. This may be admir-
| able in some ways. but 1t is undoubtedly
| to a certain extent 4 clog upon the
wheels OF peace.
The delaying effect of the American
| Constitutions provisions, however. for.
| tunately does not have much influence
upon the preparations OF the treaty Of
peace with Germany, and that az an!
rate will and must go through without
| delay. And when II has been concluded
America will be called upon to take ont
OF the most nomentouH decisions in It!
| history.
Che will have to decide whether or moi
she intends t9 go back to her position Of
isolation on the other eide OF the watel
and continue TO enjoy all the Commercial
benefit OF economic trade or whether
she will live up to the traditions she ha.
so finely carried out on the battlefield,
OF France and share in the burden Of
the government OF the world which wal
has placed upon the shoulders OF the
| Powers with which she is associated.
She will be called upon to say yes OF
no in a practical manner. and upon hel
! answer depends the success not OF Pres
| ident Wilson's scheme for League OF
| Nations alone but of any attempt to hell
| the world one step forward along the
road to International cooperation auc
| brotherhood.