The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-02-10
THE PEACE TREATY AGAIN
UP

Nv ;ar overwhelming majority the
Jynltsd States Senate yesterday vote"
,or rssumptlon OF the consideration or
tho psace treaty. Nine Republican SEN
s,ors opposed consideration. IheSe
senators are classed as irreconch'aoiS
.opposed to the peace treaty IN any
form. Tho large majority OF the re-
publican membership, with the almost
soiSd Democratic membership. voted 10
take UP the treaty. giving suoS'an''"'
avSdence that the Senate favors the &C
csuAance OF the treaty. either without
change, or with changes TO the written
In accordance With certain estaohsheu
lines OF thought.
During the weeks in which the Greatly
has lain IN the pigeon-hole OF the SEN
ate there have been number Of I'M
poPtaat developments. First anu fore-
nost among these, has been the definite
indication by the governments OF both
Great Britain and France that they are
willing TO accept the treaty WIN the
reservations proposed by the majority
. OF THE Senators. Lord Grcys remark
able letter in the London Times. setting
forth, with great clearness aud force
tho, contentious OF the Republican SEN
ators, in particular. has undoubtedly
had n very great effect. II an English
. statesman can see the justice OF the
position taken by the Republican sem
ators, and II England IS willing 70 &C
cen that position. with what grace can
any American jealous Of his country's
fntArests and honor. insist upon the
!, adoption Of the treaty without reserEa-
tioIis? Moreover. the evidence that our
: Allies are willing 10 accept the treaty
In the form proposed by the majority
OF the senators cuts the heart out OF
the contention OF Mr.. Wilson that reser-
yations mean rewriting and negotiating
n new treaty. 1t is conceivable that
sincere advocates OF tho treaty might
= hesitate TO propose changes or rcSerHa-
ttoSs that would make the treaty dit
cuH, II not impossible OF acceptance by
our allies. 1t is not conceivable that g
SINCERE advocate OF the treaty should
oppose reservations that are not opposed
byt.our allies. and which undoubtedly.
serve to limit our responsibility as well
n. 10 mako clear our understanding OF
thsftreaty itself.
10 is now clear beyond the shadow OF
\ doubt that a working pact. acceptable
TO our European allies can be. and will
besaxreed to by the Senate II Mr.. VII
son, only says the word. His Is the
posser that. thus FAR. has held large
nuiaber Of tho Democratic senators TO
stubborn insIstence upon a program that
tnperils the very life OF the treaty.
The issue has been made clear. 1t IS
between Americanism. which aims TO
protect the domestic policy and tho
national traditions OF the American
people on one side and the egotism OF
woodrow Wilson on the other. 1t Is be-
tween q wise determination not TO
assume international responsibilities be-
yora certain clearly defined limitations.
and not to make promises TO our allies
that may lead them to have false hopes.
and. the stubborn insistence OF ono man
upon having his own way for the sake uf
having his way.
The majority OF the American people.
: The Intslligsncer believes. have long
since made up their mind TO the accept
anss OF the peace treaty with reser-
Z Nations, They are prepared FOR that and
expect Il. and the majority of tho Som
atots, left to themselves. would soon
reaeh an agreement. II an agreement Is
| NOT reached. and II the treaty fails, It
viii be because Mr.. Wilson chooses TO
put Ibis petty personal pride above world
heace; because he values more the tex
tuaf ana verbal form OF the treaty than
the.treaty itself
Poland is being given = free hand 10