New Mexico state record., 1920-07-30
HOUSE MAKES CONFESSION

Not for long time has there come
forth a document in world affairs
commensurate in importance with
the recent cable@am from Col.
House in London. 1t reveals for the
first time the ease with which
prompt peace with Germany fol
lowing the armistioe could have been
consummated but for the obstinate
resistance OF President Wilson and
reminds us into what state the
world has fallen as result of the
long delay and the serious menace
that conditions hold for the future.
"A suggestion was made in Paris
Just after the armistice" says Col
House, TO proceed at once in the
making of a preliminary treaty OF
peace with Germany alone. ~
Such treaty could have been made
by Christmas of 1918. and would have
been not only the usual bu, the OBJ
vious thing to do.
The failure of that program was
due to Mr. Wilson alone. He arrived
in Paris in December. 1918. and forth
with served notice that his league of
nations must take precedence over
any peace treaty that might be
written. His obstinacy effectually
held up all attempts at peace until
the latter part of February, 1919,
when he had TO return to this coun-
try to attend the closing of Congress
on March 4th. During his absence
the peace delegates took heart once
more, and the representatives of the
&r,nr,oal a0vaa1 fhat the
unrest in Europe and the world must
be settled by terms of peace rather
than waste further precious time on
III league.
"A careful survey should be made
of Germany's resources and ability
TO pay" Col. House says in descrb-
ing that agreement. "and sum then
assessed which the bankers of the
world might be willing to under
write. II this view had prevailed,
the French and Belgians could have
received their allotment in cash,
which would have been OF untold
benefit TO their respective coun-
tries"
But the hopes of the French and
BelEians, who saw themselves on the
eve OF prompt indemnify payments
and rapid reconstruction. were rude
ly dashed when Mr.. Wilson again
turned up in Paris and arbitrarily
cast aside the plans made in his alb
sence. He again insisted on his
league over all, and Lloyd George and
Oemenceau finally assented. real
hing that unless they did SO pro-
grcss would be indefinitely stopped.
Wilson alone prevented the taking of
remedial measures and the agony of
Europe continued. A peace that
could have been consummated within
a month of the armistice was not |
two months after hostili,ies had
ceased.
During all of thar time the world |
was in ferment, the principal ont
come OF which has been the growth |
OF Bolshevism. Col. House in viewing
the future sees it well within the I
bounds of probability" that the Rus
sian hordes will soon overrup Pol
and, will be then welcomed by Ger
many as deliverers. and the combined
Russian and German armies will Of
fer menace TO western civilization
that will tax to the utmost the re-
sources and courage of the United
States. England and France to meet.
Those who have followed the course
Of events in Europe know tina, Col.
House has not overdrawn his pic
ture and that his fears are amply
justified.
Woodrow Wilson more than any
other individual, group, or nation is
responsible for the calamity that
impends today. But for his insati- /;
able lust for power, which kept his
country and the world in war for
months that il might be gratified hv
consent to his league OF
nations, the reconstruction OF civil
ization would now be almost COM
plete and bolshevism would be rap
dly on the wane in the face of
people engaged in produc-
i've occupations.
II