Evening star., 1921-04-07
The Decision Which Is Ours.

News dispatches from France-to
the effect that that nation views with
grave concern the semi-official pro-
nouncements relative to the American
treaty program-could not but be ex-
pected. That the blow falling upon
France and the rest of Europe, as a
result of the alleged decision of the
administration to junk the treaty Of
Versailles, in so far as we are con-
cerned, and to make separate peace
with Germany via the Knox resolu-
ton, would be a heavy one was to
have been foreseen. France. with all
her other attributes as the gallant OF
the nations, is a splendid loser. So
it is that she has smiled despite the
heaviness of the impending blow, and
those who note only the surface have
judged that our action would matter
little to her.
The action of the United States,
should it finally refuse to ratify the
treaty of Versailles despite a readi-
ness on the part of its recent allies to
accept any reservation to its sigma
ture. could mean but one thing to
France and to Europe. 1t would mean
that we, officially at least, regard the
treaty upon which peace has been es-
tablished in Europe as so inherently
bad as to render impossible our be-
coming a party thereto under any cir
cumstances. And France and Europe,
knowing that their hope for restora-
tion and future security depend upon
enforcing the only treaty to which
Germany has set her hand and seal,
knowing that at all costs they must
cling thereto, cannot but wonder if the
full effect Of our contemplated action
has been weighed by those responsible
therefor-whether they appreciate the
effect Of the blow they would deal.
The United States has not yet finally
refused to ratify modified version Of
the treaty Of Versailles. The claim
that it will do so is still held by many
to be untrue. Knowing, as all know
today. that we may make such res.
ervations as we will to our signature;
knowing. furthermore. that sooner or
later we shall have to take a stand
one way or the other on every impor-
tant provision Of the treaty in ques-
ton. to many it seems almost impos-
Eible that we should decide to discard
the whole. leaving Europe Indefinitely
doubtful as to matters which should
be made clear at once.
For, unless we are to deny any
merit in a peace toward which the
statesmen Of the world gave their
best effort, and claim that we alone
can draft Satisfactory pact, the OBJ
vious course. the expediens course and
the wise course would seem to be to
acclaim those portions Of the treaty in
which we believe merit exists land
they are many. to qualify our assent
to those portions we deem undesirable
(and they are feweand to ratify.
The truth as to our purpose, still
obscure, will shortly be made known.
And though France knows that, what
ever that purpose may be, our friend
ship and sympathy are always hers,
the assurance can carry but small joy
under the circumstances. For France
and Europe, sorely needing concrete
support In the struggle to carry out
the treaty Of Versailles. know what
depends upon our decision. So their
eyes. watching US, are very grave.
oas- cannot but wonder, in contem-
plating ourselves. If our own eyes were
not grayer did we-as they-appre-
ciase the full significance Of the deci.
don which is ours.