The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-29
Allies Are
Disappointed
Hoped America Would Fl
nally Have Recourse TO
Ratification of Versailles
Treaty.
BY DAVID LAWRANC1.
Copyright by TIE InteaiIencer)

washinE,on. Aug. IS There is no
ccncea.nent here Of the disappointment
OF allied diplomat. in the new peace
treaty signed BY the United States and
Germany. The allies had been hoping
20 the last that the United States
would stand by her first signature on
tho Versailles treaty and thus preserve
he association which began IN 1917.
Tho European governments were pre-
pared TO agree to any reservations 10
tho Versailles pact which the American
government might have propo scd. They
wanted Americas signature on The
treaty Of Versailles ch!eay for moral
effect.
OF course diplomats do not discuss
American domes;lc politics for puolica-
lion. but they are quito aware that tho
taotional disputes in tho American Ser
ate furnished tho underlying reason FOR
,he making OF separate peace with
Germany. II was case OF preserving
harmony In the Republican party or
disappointing the allied governments
and the Harding administration felt
that II was more important TO appease
tho domestic situation than 10 please
Europe.
One Of the Secrets
On many an occasion tho European
governments themselves haNo set pre-
cedent In attaching moro weight to their
own public opinion and domestic politics
nan internatio welfare. Ono OF the
so-called big secrets OF the Paris peace
conference was tho Inner reason Tor the
failure ct that conference to hA the sizd
~ the German indemnity. and IL was
later acknowledged that because Prime
Minister Lloyd Geors. rad made an ex'
'-avaEan, election promise tho peace
conference agreed With the argument OF
,he British prime minister that his own
political fortunes would suffer II the
Indemnity were definitely hxed.
But leaving aside the consideration OF
domestic politics which caused both
President Harding and Secretary
Hughes 10 abandon tne!r first idea Of
engaging under the existing treaty" ot
VersaIllea there are In allied circles
many who prsdlc, that America has not
safeSuarded her rights from = lesal
,,arApctnt- and that while the allies are
tis>sel at this tins TO interpose no
rat.ctlon to tho American course OF
acton. the chances are that tho indirect
r,othod BY which tho United states has
made PEACE with Germany will furnish
r'enty Of legal controversy in future
,eara Tho allies. OF course. owe the
United States a good deal OF money
and are not likely In the Immediate fu-
ture to enEaEs in serious controversy
over the legal questions, but II Is ad'
ml,ted that the European Tovernnenta
may some day question the validity OF
those rights which the United States
has endeavored to acquire BY separate
treaty with Germany.
AmarteA's 1iIhts
The line Of thought Of those who con
tend tha, the new treaty does not safe
guard Americas rights Is that In the
preamble America formally announced
20 the word that the treaty OF Yer
sailles signed by the United States vaa
not ratined and Ia therefore. inapplic-
abie 20 the United States. In later sec
tons OF the HuEhes-knoS treaty. Am
erica specifically claims rights and priv
i.geS OF tho Versailles treaty. The
question Is asked how tho United States
ran In one breath declare that a certain
contract Is null and void. and In the
next breath insist that certain parts OF
tha contract arc valid
In answer 10 this query. American Of
heials sxy that the United States while
rsver ratity ing tho Versailles treaty
has never notified tho other govern
irentS OF tho world Of any intention TO
repudiats that document even though
objection was made 70 certain parts OF
= such as the league covenant In
ether wordk the treaty OF Versailles un-
ratified Is just aS live a document as
re HughesKnoI treaty. which has Just
heen signed but Is also unratsned. In
deed II appears that the American gov
ernment probably Will take refuge upon
occasion behind tho fact that the VII
sor signature on the Versailles pact IN
dica,es that tho United States received
certain rights and privileges from Cor
many under the Versailles pact which
cannot Be lost. simply oeca use tho Am
erican senate failed TO ratity certain
obligations imposed IN that treaty.
Rriefv. the american attitude Is thas
having participated In tho war with no
desire 70 acquire territory or material
gain. the United States has perfect
light 70 insist upon all thu benefits and
privileges which may be conferred upon
other powers. while. ~ tho sams time
enforce the Versailles treaty or any
other compact. From tho allies View
point, thts appears 20 he an intensely
pro American. as wei as selfish posi-
Ion. hu' American officials declare that
the ursslhshness OF tho United States
was demonstrated IN tho war. and that
al tho rights and privileges which have
been sought In tho HuKhes-Knox treaty
srs simply those which would give Am
.,,~, trsSdom Of commercial opportun-