Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1921-07-15
VERSA|LLEST1REATY'
NOT TO GUIDE US.
IN GERMAN PEACE.
GOVERNMENT, IN WINDING UP
WAR, WILL SETTLE ON ITS
OWN TERMS AND NOT THOSE
AGREED TO By ALLIES.

Washington, July l5.--"The ear
marks of sincerity and truth are lack.
ing In any statement that the United
States is to be guided In its treaty
with Germany by any obligations un.
der the Versailles treaty" It was as.
serted by high official today.
The theory on which the treaty with
Germany now is being drawn, partly
here and partly in Germany, 1t was
stated, is that the United States has
the same right to make a separate
peace with Germany that the allies
had to make joint pact with the de-
feated nation.
1t was pointed out that this govern
ment never was party to the solemn
engagement of Great Britain, France,
Italy and Russia; that no one of these
would make a separate peace with
Germany.
Care is taken officially to deny the
reiterated statements in Washington
and In some dispatches sent from here
that President Harding has instructed
Secretary of State Hughes to create
new Versailles treaty as condition
precedent to any treaty with Ger
many.
There is no question, however, that
the treaty of Versailles was studied
from all angles before the United
States officially announced its desire
to make a treaty with Germany, The
study, though, was for this purpose,
as explained authoritatively.
The treaty of Versailles contains
sections which refer to the United
States, and the allies, therefore, are
on record as acknowledging as abso.
Lutte certain rights Of the United States
growing out of war. AS these right
were and still are indisputable, they
necessarily will be incorporated In the
treaty with Germany, so far as they
concern her.
THAT alone, it Is stated with EN-
phasis, is the basis for ill-considered
stories that the United tSates will yet
commit itself to the treaty of Yer
sailles.
1T is explained further that the
rights of the United States in dealing
with Germany and considerations at
fetting Germanys power to make a
treaty with this country are not con
nhed to the Versailles, pact1 The allies d
.His asserted. already have violated
ue agreements at Versailles as
against the United States When they !
proceeded to dispose of the forpierl
German colonies by mandates FOR |
their own benefit
Secretary Hughes at the very out |
set said that action of the assembly |
ofkthe league of nations, OF the coun' |
Cd of the league andsot the supreme |
council was null and void. The state
department and Germany, therefore, !
itsis pointed out, cannot admit wha.
might be called the experimentation
Off the allies over a treaty with Get
many. The treaty making, authorities
say, distinctly is an affair between the
United States and Germany, and is so
regarded by all well-informed persons
in Washington.
IA probability of the text Of tn"
treaty will be restatement by GEL
many that she surrendered her terri
torial possessions and other things she
was required to relinquish not alone
to the allies ut to the allied and as
sociated powers--and the associated |
powers" means the United States.
The United States naturally would |
adopt that declaration out of the
treaty of Versailles or the armistice
agreement or any document signed by !
the principal allies"