Evening star., 1920-01-18
THE STORY THE WEEK HAS TOLD

in their hands. Civil war is still waged in
China though reported to be nearing its end.
Terrorists or extremists reds whatever
name they go by. are causing the governments
OF Italy and Spain deep concern, not merely
from propagandist activities. but from the fact
that they constitute existing political men
ace The tragic state Of Austria and Russia
need not be expanded upon.
This condition Of affairs is reviewed to
persuade Jim and Jane not that the vigorous
campaign against radicalsm in America should
In any way be slackened, but that here we are
extremely fortunate to possess the means and
the determination to handle our little problems
as they arise. England and France. Italy and
Spain, China, Germany and Austria and Russia,
must In the end win their fights for continuing
or installing decent democratic governments
How lucky we that have more Of a fight in
hand than would Jack Dempsey faced by
vicious. cowardly, imbecile child. With us as
with him it becomes merely a matter OF duty
to SO dispose of the reds that they may not do
injury to the unsuspecting. And that we are
doing.
With peace with Germany less than week
old the British public has been brought face to
face with the possibility of another war. Those
in charge of the military and naval destinies
of the nation spent the week end, following an
emergency call, in Paris, in consultation with
Lloyd George and other British officials. The
result of bolshevist military successes Flushed
with victory newly possessed of enormous sup
plies of food, raw materials, coal and rolling
stock. it is regarded certain that they will
not rest content with their present conquests.
but will seek to extend bolshevism either east
ward westward. The British government
undoubtedly anticipates trouble in the direction
Of India. Announcement has been made that
the allies propose to finance the arming Of the
Poles to meet the threat in that direction. And
So
the game in which all the world is vitality con-
cerned.
William Jennings Bryan said the peace
treaty would pass with John Barleycorn, and
that the night of the 18th would ratifica-
tion in the Presidents hands. "Bill' just didn't
want Prof. Goddard of the Smithsonian Inst-
tute to have anything him in the matter of
shooting at the moon. But at that, things are
moving to their inevitable conclusion on Capitol
Hill, and there are many prophets of even
higher standing in that profession than Mr..
Bryan. who believe that the knot will have been
cut by the end of the month.
The undoubted will of the nation that rati-
fcation be accomplished on a compromise basis
rapidly may be possible was demonstrated
in concrete form to the Senate during the week,
when representatives of 100000 Americans,
under the Craftsmanship of Oscar Straus, met in
Washington with the purpose Of formulating
treaty of peace with the league of nations cove
nant. The replies of Senators Lodge and Hitch
cock to a delegation from this conference
generally regarded as encouraging, both leaders,
though in somevRat differing degrees. pro1pis-
ing cooperation Is the desired end The CON
ference proposes to urge its viewpoint upon the
White House well the Capitol.
4 X 4 4
Bipartisan conferences, indicating a growing
realization on the part of both republicans and
democrats Of the need for open-mnded, non
factional action have been in informal progress
during the latter part Of the week. Sixty-five
senators reported as being pledged to vote
for some compromise ratifying resolution. Thus
one more than the requisite number of votes
to effect ratification is claimed to be assured.
OF the sixty-ive, thirty-fve are republicans
and thirty democrats.
A poll Of the colleges and universities of
the country. which showed that out Of total
of 29,S10 votes, 11,182 were in favor of COM
promise with view to immediate ratification,
5000 in favor of unqualified ratification, 6,563
in favor OF the Lodge reservations and 3,163 in
favor of total rejection. added it's weight to
the fulcrum which seeks to lift the Senate
from the deadlock into which it has fallen
The end may not yet be in sight. but is
drawing near. Jim and Jane. heartsick over
the false position in which the nation has been
placed as result of the controversy have not
long to wait for the satisfaction they demand
of the Senate.
X X X
On January IL President Wilson issued the
call for the first meeting Of the council of the
league of nations which convened at Paris on
Friday. The call was issued by the President
in accordance with the terms Of the treaty, al
though the United States finds itself in the ex-
traordinary position Of not being represented
at the meeting. which Europe and the world
watch with anxious eyes.