The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-03-24
NATIONAL

Washington Post T he failure OF
Germany to comply with the treaty
Of Versailles and the uprising against
the communist regime of Russia are
transforming the state Of affairs in
Europe. The conditions which existed
when the so-called big four thought
they were dispOsing of the fate of ma
tons have disappeared, and in their
place have appeared new conditions
which render the treaty of Versailles
obsolete in many particulars. Russia,
becoming more and more violent in
its reactions against the reds, threat
ems to develop energies which viii
have their effect upon the foreign pol
icy Of every nation by compelling each
of them to take account OF the return
Of Russia TO a state of sanity.
The German government and the
German people seem to have a good
understanding in their defiance Of the
treaty of Versailles. 1t is probably
true that if the government bad yield
cd to the demands Of the allies it
would have fallen. lnasmuch a. ii has
failed to meet the treaty obligations
the German people are well pleased
There IS a suspiciously amiable feel
ing In the occupied area of Germany
which may be the prelude to a bitter
outi2ret. when the allies begin to
turn the screws.
NJ. Vivian, former premier of
France, is about TO visit Washington
TO pay special honor in behalf OF
France TO the new president of the
United States, and thereby to empha
size the idea that there has been no
interruption of cordial relations be
cause Of the change of a%dministra-
tons. This is an agreeable errand,
and NJ. Viviani will be heartily vel
come.
The allies are reluctant to admit
that the treaty of Versailles contains
a mistake OF major proportions, the
covenant of the league. The allied
peacemakers yielded so completely to
Mr.. Wilson's league plan that they
do not know how 10 extricate them
selves, now that the plan is a proved
failure. They still hope that the
United States can be induced 20 make
the plan a success, by placing the
wealth. resources and influence OF the
United States at the disposal OF the
league.
NJ. Viviani's visit will have been Ct
great usefulness to Europe if he will
make plain the real attitude of the
United States upon his return TO
France. He will be in a position
to tell his countryment that Ameri
cans are in a better position than
ever before to defend the principle
of free government, but they refuse
to yield their control of the foreign
policy of the United States. He VIII
perceive that the treaty of Versailles
has no existence, so far as the United
States is concerned, but that the
France is warm and perpetual. If NJ
Viviani should conclude that a revi-
sion of the treaty of Versailles is IN
avoidable, in consequence of the re-
fusal of the United States to become
a party to II. his advice may hasten
proper action in Europe.
The treaty of Versailles deals with
matters that do not concern the
United States. Europe is competent
to settle its W affairs, if not i'm
peded. If President Wilson had not
interfered with Europe it would have
made an effectual peace in 1919.
Americans are willing and anxious
to see Europe make effective peace.
President Harding has given every in
dication that he will refrain from
interfering in any way with Europe
In its efforts to establish peace. His
attitude is one of friendship and help
fulness If help be needed. If the allies
should decide to revise the treaty of
Versailles to make it correspond with
facts and events developing since the
Paris conference, there is no reason
to presume that the United States
would interpose any obstacles.