Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-27
GERMAN TREATY JUSTlFlES
HUGHES FOREIGN POLICY
Harmonious Relations with the Al
lies Preserved by the Consist
ent Methods Pursued
Cinn~ M,reb

policy Of the United States Is visible in
the brief and. in several ways, extrnordi-
nary treaty negotiated in Berlin with the
German Government.
The document is illuminating not only
as a definite expression of the official Ameri-
can viewpoint, but also as evidence Of the
consistency which has characterized the
successive moves Of the State Department
since the advent Of the Harding Admins
traton.
II Is now possible 10 discern nfe6ible
logic in such acts of Secretary Hughes as
his refusal to commit the United States to
an intercessory role regarding German
reparations and his restoration of America
to certain commissions of the Allied Powers.
Proof that the outlines of constructive
program have been established for several
months Is now unmistakable.
The rejection by the Senate Of the Treaty
Of Versailles has been accepted as incontro-
vArtible history. This acknowledgment Of
realities is not necessarily an indictment of
that pact nor of the League of Nations,
which has found numerous ardent support
ers in both, political camps.
But practical circumstances which are
In no wise changed by regrets, have made
impossible a formal revision of the treaty
of 1919 to suit American interests. Mr..
Hughes was therefore confronted with the
necessity Of negotiating a separate agree
ment with Germany if the hypothetical war
status was to be altered
To be more than an unmeaning diplo-
matte gesture II was obvious that any con-
tract must contain those features Of the
Versailles Treaty which in all proba bility
would have been left in the document had
the United States been enabled to amend
and edit it.
In this respect the new pact goes far.
In a sense its brevity is specous. Fruits
of the war to which Germany and the United
States have agreed that the latter shall be
entitled are described at length in the text
Of the Versailles Treaty. The separate pact
simply enumerates them by part and sec
ton. OF the fifteen parts of the Versailles
contract, ten are retained.
The clauses demanding the trial Of the
Kaiser are ignored. 1t is specified that the
United States shall not be bound By any
thing relating to the League of Nations,
the laying down of the new boundaries Of
Germany, the geographical and political
readiustments of Belgium, the left bank of
the Rhine, Czecho- Slovakia, Austria, East
Prussia, Memel the free City of Danzig,
Schleswig- Holstein, Heligoland. China
Siam, Liberia Morocco, Egypt, Turkey,
Bulgaria and Shantung.
In other words, our foreign policy is kept
distinct for all settlements abroad and our
direct concern in the consequences of the
World War Is reduced TO matters of direct
interest to ourselves as formerly one Of the
Allied and Associated Powers. These sub
jects include oil benefits in which We were
originally involved, subject to the PXc"p-
tions noted; the retention until further
adjustment of seized German property
the right, although We refuse to be bound
by It, Of participation in reparation pro-
ceedings; joint title with the other Powers
to the former German overseas possessions
German disarmament under international
commissions; war prisoners and graves
certain financial details, including payment
for occupying troops economic arrange
mcnts; aerial navigation for Germany; reg
ulations concerning German ports, water
ways and railways a number of minor mis-
ceancous details, and, what is most i'm.
portant, guarantees of peace.
Rv this last reservation the United States
asserts it's right with the other victorious
Powers, to occupy Rhine bridgeheads for a
period Of fifteen years.
In general sense all these stipuationS
were embodied in the long sentence Of the
Knox Porter peace resolution which forms
n kind Of preamble to the new trcaty. That
this pnrt is sufficiently explicit TO estab-
lish, when It is constitutionay ratified.
lbTIWl IfINlI'uN VI paw u'lN'tH Tue Iult
heligerpnts is incontcstablr. Enough con-
fscated German property now is held in
this country 10 make the adjustment of
damage claims largely technical business.
So far as Germany is concerned she will
give MS what We exact. In uncXampled
fashion the majority Of tho rights which we
assert can only be theoretically indorsed by
the defeated nation, 1t Is from our former
partners vrtors in the conflict, that we
must turn for practical acknowledgment Of
the bulk Of our demands.
II is consequently, plain that execution
is largely dependent upon the compliance
Of third party composed of our former
associates.
Nevertheless, the difficulties Of the case
are probably superficial. 1t is understood
that the Allied Powers, accepting the stua-
tion, are favorabv disposed toward our sep
arate negotiations. Mr.. Hughes has been
careful to preserve harmonious relations
with these Governments, which have been
shown by the line Of policy adopted since
March 1. 1921. that the United States has
not the slightest intention Of playing the
marplot in the peace nor Of permitting itself
to be- outmancuvrrcd by Germany
The Washington Conference is approach
ing. II is readily conceivable that nu-
mprous matters the so-calpd final ndjud-
cation Of which we formally dispute, will
be reopcned for discussion,
Something very like another peace parley
is in prospect. Its roaization would Justify
the whole ingenious peace policy Of Score
tnry Hughes as it has been deliberately aud
authoritativelv unfold"d.
The methods are shaping mp, The Senate
should expedite them by ratifying n treaty.
which furnishes the sole avenue of escape
from maddening situation. Partisans Of
whatever stripe cannot logically oppose the
new pact. While the so-caled "irrecoh-
cilabes" may rejoice that the League of
Nations is not accepted, their opponents
need not be utterly dismnyed. The COW