Evening star., 1920-01-01
The Old and the New.


the dawn of 1920 would see the United
States still at war technically with
the national enemy and peace still
unprocIaimed, though fighting then
had ceased for nearly two months, the
prediction would have been scoffed
as absurd. Yet today the New Year
comes with peace still unattained.
with a state of war still prevailing,
though no shots have been fired for
many menths and though OUT armies
are all virtually returned and our
ships restored to their normal duties.
This is not wholly the consequence
of failure of the United States Sen
ate to Iatify the peace treaty. Not
even a. between the European allies
and Germany is peace definitely pro-
claimed, though they have reached
treaty agreements. The formal procla-
nation of peace will not occur until
January 6, and even that date may be
passed without this formality, owing
to certain hesitations on the part of
Germany.
The year that has passed has been
marked by extraordinary conflicts of
opinion The President Of the United
Esa1a has submitted to the Senate
= isua.y embodying the fundaments
- . now system of international ad-
iustment against which strong ohjee
tons have been raised to the end Of
preventing approval and there is even
LOW NO assurance Of early action. The
DUleaty has been pending now before
the Senate for nearly six meaths- Not
in itself record time, but e1trsoTdi-
nary In view Of the urgency Of eaxiy
action to permit resolution Of af-
fairs now held in complex by the alb
sence of definite peace.
At home the year inst closed has
been ons Of industrial conflict and
unrest Serious crises have deveI-
oped and have been passed IN the re-
lations between workers and their en-
ployeEs, affecting nstional welfare
most seriously. Even now one of these
strikes remains unsettled, though the
industry has recovered to within
small percentage of its normal activ-
ity. Despite determined efforts, no
advance has been made toward e.
tabliahing basis of future industrial
relations with assurance of continued
production and lessened chances of
ffictisA and disorder. Hope contin-
ues to prevail, however, that out Of
the sad experiences of the past few
months may come a method Of ad-
iustment that will guarantee the coun-
try hereafter against turmoil and loss
and suffering.
Lamentable outbreaks of race hos
tility kAve occurred. The country has
written sorry record in this respect,
and many lives have been sacrificed
to mad spirit of prejudice and pas
sion strangely at variance with the
high ideals for which millions Of
American men from all parts Of the
country went forth nearly three years
ago to war for human rights.
Excessively high prices for all the
necessities Of life as well as for the
Injuries and non-e essentials continue
with no assured prospect Of an early
diminution. All expedients possible
under the laws have been tried and
have failed to lower the level of liv-
ing costs. Save with one exception,
however, food has been abundant, and
within the main a high scale of COM
pepsation the people have not suf-
fered.
With all the untoward conditions
that now may be seen in review, with
peace still unattained, with prices still
high, with industrial unrest still po-
tentially factor for loss and injury
and disorder, with vital problems of
readjustment unsolved, the country
looks forward to 1920 with confidence
and hope and courage The year now
to come finds the people of this land
firm in their faith in their govern
ment, in their institutions and in
their ability to maintain themselves
as BELTS the possessors of the proud.
est heritage of liberty that ever a ma.
ton has known.