Evening star., 1920-02-08
BY NEWBOLD MOVES.

"HERE is much for Jim and Jane to as
simulate and ponder upon in the news
developments of the closing week.
That chapter of the story which deals
with the peace treaty has reached sudden
and unexpected climax A puzzling phase of
the industrial problem is apparently about TO
be disposed of. The vital matter of national
security is crying for attention in connection
with the fight for universal military training.
And the financial and economic crisis abroad
is subject for anxious reflection on this side of
the Atlantic The story progresses at swift
pace. Development succeeds development in
the complex plot till the difficulty of coherent
ly following the tale is largely enhanced. So it
is that Jim and Jane. determined to start the
new week with ordered minds, will eagerly
take up the task of sorting, over the jumbe of
inco-ordinated facts with which a weeks read
ing of the news inevitably leaves one.
Lord Greys letter the league of nations
situation in the United States has electrified
the nation. With the possibility of any
torial action upon the treaty until after to-
morrow announced by the leaders of both par
ties in Congress out of the question. the be-
lief was general that other matters pressing
for prompt attention, would engross the minds
of Jim and Jane and their Uncle Sam for the
week just passed. Then came the cabled news
of Lord Grey's communication to his country
men through the London Times. and, with that
sudden climax injected into the situation. all
other issues paled to comparative insignif-
canoe. and the burning discussion of when and
how ratification might be effected in the light
Of the new event took on new ardor.
The phrase electrified the nation" is used
advisedly. Whatever effect the viscount's let
ter may have had in England-and all reports
would seem to indicate that 1t there served the
admirable purpose of helping Englshmen to n
fairer understanding of the difficulties under
which the United States labors in the matter
there can be no question but that it shocked
this nation. Whether due to amazement that
1t should be British diplomat who. unasked.
should bid fair to break the ratification dead
lock; to the unprecedented character of this
type Of diplomacy; to any other of a
gratifying or resented. the Grey letter carried
considerable voltage.
1t brought the treaty and the covenant is-
sues into sharp focus. It dismayed the bitter
enders either side Of the fence. though
both treaty-knifers and undotted- -protago-
nists profess to find in the letter support for
their prejudices and contentious And it
roused with apparently every Justification. new
hope in the hearts of those to whom the vision
of America honorably at peace is dearer than
any meticulous insistence upon some tenuous
theory.
To Jim and Jane the wordy explanations of
just what the British ambassador to America
for such he apparently still is-meant, of just
how his letter supported this or that pet
tention in the treaty wrangle mean little To
them. average American man and woman, the
proposition resolves itself iRte simple phrases.
In the light Of this new data their interprea'
tatfon would run after this wise:
The treaty may be ratified with such honor
able reservations as a majority Of the Senate
deem advisable. The countries that fought at
side in the great war will not misinterpret
those reservations. The business of making
the world safe for democracy is not solely
matter Of war; the need for help to that
end is less great today in peace than in
the bloodier work of 1918. Let us then ratify.
For If Viscount Grey. who is said to have
spoken not only on the authority of the British
government but also for other allies,
meant anything by his letter-and he meant
much-it was this: Come in at any price you
ask. We trust to your honor to that. But
come in-for humanity needs you
X
Jim and Jane according to many who should
know, cut to the heart Of the matter In that
viewpoint. No loathness to abandon positions