The Washington herald., 1921-05-01

but not less damaging testimony as
fills Mr.. Lansing's book. M. Tar
dieu Is, beyond all else, a counsel for
the defense. He has still kind
words for Mr.. Wilson and Lloyd
George. Clemenceau, who writes
the characteristic preface which In
PRODUCES the argument, remains hts
hero. But no student of the treaty
or Of the history OF the past two
years can AFFORD to neglect this vol
ume. which covers with light
multitude of places hitherto left
in darkness.
Tells French Case.
At the moment when the whole
subject of reparations has been re-
opened and a new world crisis rs
actually arrived. Tardieu's book
supplies the final statement of the
French case. Reading Il one can
see clearly what conceptions and
what convictions dominate the
French mind. Even IL for many
Americans agreement is Impossible.
nevertheless understanding Of the
French case is necessary. and II is
set forth here fully.
For myself. however. the most
valuable portion of the volume Is
that which discusses the. question
of German devastations and of
French efforts still unaided by Ger
man payments, to restore the ruins.
There is a better statement, statis-
tically, historically, in all ways, of
| this whole question of German dew
| astations In France than is any
whereselse to be had. There is, too,
a better, more convincing answer
| to those who assert that France
asks too much in reparations or
hesitates too much in undertakins
for herself the gigantic task of
national reconstruction.
Comes OpportuneIy.
Tardieu's book comes at q for
tunate moment 1t throws light
| upon a question which for two
years has divided the world and
still blocks the way to a real res
| toration of peace. One may read
his pages and understand French
policy expressed at Lympne the
| other day, expressed at every in
ternational conference from Paris
onward. Enthusiastically it Is. a bit
of special pleading. Tardieu is
counsel for France, he is quite as
and Tardieu. French architects of
the Versailles document.
After all. most Americans remain
in a fog as to what was dore in
Paris, and such facts as have
emerged in the treaty remain at
least partially inexplicabIe because
of the mystery that surrounded the
making mystery, NJ. Tardieu ex-
nlainS which duo 20 fhA Nyia n
of the American President and the
British prime minister. To say the
least for a book which has enduring
value, NJ. Tardieu's volume has
raised the curtain higher than any
other He has told more indiscreet
truths with true journalistic ap-
/ probation. We see Foch and
Clemenceau quarrel and at last
know the details. The story Of the
sending for the George Washington
finds a new setting. The dramatic
hours of the conference are all set
forth.
Writes as journalist.
In sum. while he has been a spe-
cial ambassador in the United
States, a member of cabinet In
| France and remains a conspicuous
| iSS "ilNCS as a
| journalist, he has forgotten moth
ing of the art which he practised
with international success for many
years. His book is the best of books.
so far. because 1t is not only written
by a journalist, but Is the work of
that journalist whom fortune pre-
sented with the best opportunity TO
see all and know all. Accept his
| conclusions or reject them. agree
with his arguments or cast them
aside, but his facts are there, the
facts the whole world has clamored
| for over two years.
NJ. Tardieu- calls his book The
| Truth About the Treaty" at the
very least 1t contains more of the
| truth than any one else has ye,
been able or willing to tell us. As
such il must be a landmark in the
history of that momentous confer
ence. which. II it did not make
peace. at least constructed the
| treaty of Versailles. r. n. 9.
Copyright. 1917