New-York tribune., 1920-02-28
Where America Stands
By Franz II. Sinonds

M. Tardieu's disclosures as to the
fashion in which the question of French
security was settled at the Paris Con-
ference set forth clearly the position
which the United States now occupies
with respect to France. At the con-
ference France asked, with the full
accord of all the nations represented,
security against new German attack.
Her course was dictated by the fact that
twice In fifty years Germany had been
guilty of unprovoked attacks upon the
French, which had resulted in terrible
wrongs to the French nation. More
over, within fifty years the Germans
had been guilty, under Prussian leader
ship, of four unprovoked aggressions-
against Denmark, 1864; Austria In 1865
and against France in 1870 and 1914.
The Paris Deadlock
But when the question was raised of
how these guarantees were to be OBJ
tanned France and her allies came to
disagreement. Mr. Wilson insisted that
the league of nations would suffice. To
witch the French responded that since
IT was to have no military establish
ment 1t could not suffice. Lloyd George
lnterJected British protest against
the creation of new Alsace- Lorraine.
end thus supported Mr.. Wilson. There
ensued a deadlock, one circumstance
m which was the Presidents call for
the George Washington.
Still, even the George WASHINGTON
threat could not prevail. Clemenceau
was as unable to agree to abandoning
French claims for military security as
Lloyd George would have been TO sur
render to the President had Mr., Will
son demanded that the British return
the German feet and the German colo
MES. which constituted for Britain ex-
actly the same guaranty of security
that the Rhine barrier did for the
French.
In the end Lloyd George and Mr.. Will
son did what they were always bound
to do, if they insisted upon French
notifications Of the French demand for
security; they promised France, in the
names of their respective nations, that
II France would agree to waive the
right permanently to maintain the
Rhine barrier theeBritish and Ameri-
can armies would become substitute
guaranties--that is, If the Germans
again attacked France the American
and British armies would automatically
move to the Continent, and by implica-
tion they further agreed to keep armies
ready for this emergency.
Frances Situation
Clemenceau accepted the substitute
1or France. with the amendment that
the British and French should consent
TO the Allied occupation of the Rhine
barrier long enough to compel Ger
many to comply with the terms of the
treaty. But although Wilson and
George agreed to this, both, eager to
get their own troops home, turned over
to France the task of maintaining the
Rhine barrier, leaving only small Brit
ism and American contingents at the
Rhine.
Now that Germany has refused to
comply with certain of the terms of the
treaty, France finds herself still with
out American military support, since
sne Senate has not yet ratified the
rfench treaty, putting into law the
residents guaranty of French &C.
curlty' and, in addition, finds herself
without British support, because Brit
.sn public opinion is strongly against
4u1'her Continental campaigns, and has
~ 'Aen the direction Of q sentiment for
.ne modification Of the terms Of the
treaty. - 'A'
mere is left to the French, therefore.
WY one course. and that Is the course
"hich the Millerand government Is tax
'As' France occupies tho Rhine bar