New-York tribune., 1920-02-22

uOt HlclS1y tAtC IiSHt but viz
duty Of every American to examine
the conditions now existing there and
to answer the insistent demand that
the United States return to Europe,
with 8 full recognition of what the
circumstances mean for him and for
his country.
It is unmistakable that, less than
a year after it was signed, the
Treaty OF Versailles has broken
down and its revision has become the
clear demand of the two great Euro
pean nations that, in association
with us, won the war, but the direc-
ton this revision should take Is
totally different in French and in
British minds. Moreover, it Is from
British quarters that the demand for
the American return to Europe is
most insistent. The British, not the
government directly, but very large
numbers of Englishmen Of influence
and distinction, are asking that in
view of the approaching break be-
tween the recent allies over the
overwhelming European anarchy
America once more intervene to pre-
vent general chaos, and even eco
nomic and political disintegration.
The Issue at Stake
In this situation it is essential to
comprehend the issues at stake
neither from a British nor French
angle, but from an American point
of view, since very heavy response
bilities and immediate and eventual
expenses of unprecedented character
are to be asked of US as a circum-
stance in our resumption of partici
patton in European affairs.
To begin at the beginning, 1t is
clear that the World War was the
result of German aggressions.
France was actually assailed by
German declaration of war, Britain
menaced alike in her security and
her honor by the invasion of Bel
gium and the attack upon France.
Such being the conceded fact, we
may agree that there are two things
which France and Britain were en-
titled to look for in the treaty of
peace ending the war, which was
for them victorious namely, Sc
curity against new aggression and
reparation for the destruction of
property by the Germans in the
course of their unprovoked assault
upon their neighbors.
Now, there has been great deal
Of misinterpretation in America Of
both the British and the French de-
mands on these two scores, and not
less Misunderstanding in France and
Britain of each others demands.
Not unnaturally, Americans, reading
what the British said Of the French
and what the French said Of the
British claims, at certain stages
have concluded that actually the
Paris Conference was little more
than a scramble for loot. In spite of
this result of Anglo-French asperi-
ties it Is unmistakable that the
claims of both our associates for Sc
curity and reparation were justly
founded upon unassailable right.
Britain's Security
Now by the Treaty Of Versailles
Britain obtained security in this
fashion: The elimination of the Ger
man feet was ordered; actually il
was sunk by the German crews, but
only to escape destruction or division
by the Allies; In addition, the Ger.
man colonies, which had been usec
as the bases for attacks upon the
British colonies, and were in addi
tion details in the German scheme
for building a German empire be-
..yond the seas on the ruins Of tn,
British Empire, were, in the main
taken from Germany, an act which
represented security, and placed IL
British hands, which Represented
reparation. OF course, l am speak
ing OF the title to these colonies
tho British were in possession whe,
Che war ended.
\ Thus, Britain obtained absolut
security against German nava
rivalry, against colonial attack. an
she also acquired very valuable rea
estate. In addition she procured tn
destruction Of Germany's naval bas
at Heligoland and Of the fortifica
tons Of her harbors. Security thu
went to the length Of disarming he
foe, who lies completely at the mere
Of the British fleet, both as to inter
course with the world by sea and Il
the matter of ports. Finally, to tn
reparation incident to the acquisition
OF the German colonies there wa
addez hA a';ocation Of the large
po 800 o. the German merchant ma