The Washington herald., 1921-03-27
Visit of Viviam Here to Put
Old Problem of League Up To
Public Again, Simonds Believes
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this time be an accurate American
estimate of European wishes.
What France desired at Paris and
desires now must be clear. France
Is a continental nation, with conti-
tinental traditions. She has always
to consider the problems arising
from the presence on her eastern
frontier of predatory power.
whose attacks have been frequent,
whose assault in 1870 cost France
two provinces and infinite misery,
whose attack in 1914 had conse-
quences which all the world knows.
Thus beyond all else France desires
to see the victory finally achieved
over the common enemy. translated
into some solid guarantee against a
new attkck.
France Needs Payments.
The truth is beyond denial that
the whole French nation thinks in
terms Of an alliance. For il the
League OF Nations is an alliance
which protects France against Ger
many. or 1t is nothing but a vague.
meaningless Utopian conception.
Moreover, since the future of France
is not alone conditioned upon the
assurance of security against a new
attack. but upon the restoration of
the ruins caused by the latest in
vasion. France looks to any league
as also a guarantor of the provi-
sions in the treaty Of Versailles
which compel German payments.
All of the negotiations between
Mr.. Wilson and M. Clemenceau, be-
tween the United States and France
turned and will always turn upon
these two points. not to perceive
this fact is to enter into the new
negotiation blindly and arrive
either at no decision or a decision
which Will represent a real IL dis
sufsed victory for French diplom-
acy. which gains the fact. while the
phrase may be American.
Want American Partner.
There is a third French circum-
stance. 1t may be safely assumed
that the mass of Frenchmen are to-
tally unconcerned as to the exact
conditions on which the United
States might enter a European
partnership. Naturally thew would
prefer sto have these conditions best
Slited to their own conceptions. I'm,
what they want Is an American
partner and what they perceive Is
that the end is to be attained. ~ at
all, only on American conditions
But by contrast they cannot con-
sent to the "scrapping" of the pres-
ent Paris settlement, the treaty ~
versailles with its League Of Ma
tions incubus, because the trcaty
represents their sole assurance ~
tory. "u VIC
Thus M. viviani cannot nronose
or even accept a settlement which
enUsages the tearing up Of The
treaty OF Versailles, not because ~
the fact OF the league of nations do.
lahs' france does not care how we
rewrite or remake these, but he
cause the whole adjustment with
germany. the whole contract for
reparations and for disarmamont
nlch represent material considera-
tions Of incalculable value. 80.
upon this underlying fact, the docns
ment which the German signed Tho
fact that some forty nations bavs
adopted II then or since is a furtbsr
awkward detail. but 1t might be ais
posed OF, since France, like ItaIy
ana Britain, Is mainly Concerned
with the United States and ljttIs
disturbed about the attitude of
smaller countries.
League Separation Impossible.
Here the vanished hand of Mr.
Wilson. then powerfully interyenes
20 make the separation of the
league from the covenant next TO
impossible, since the separation Of
tne Two. making Of a new treaty,
would deprive our European asso.
eiates, and France in particular. \,
all the solid gains of the war. p;v-
Ing her in return only the more ~
less illusory benefit Of our condi-
tional membership in an interna.
tional association. Here, then, vi
viani encounters the American posi-
ton. Mr.. Harding's frequently az.
pressed desire to regard the league
as "dead' and pass to the construc-
ton OF an association.
Bet what / am anxious to estab-
Iish here and now is the fact what
Europe asks Of US. what France
Italy and Belgium ask of US. ana
Britain. within limits, which I will
discuss. presently. 10 an alliance. II
10 q mistake. / think. to consider
the war in Europe, the war with
Germany, at an end. II Is not at a n
end because the conditions of peace
included In the treaty Of versaiIIe,
carry an Inevitable proionsation Of
the exercise of force for a period Of
years not yet hxed but certain 10
extend for a full generation.
Says Wilson Erred.
Mr.. Wilson's major conception OF
peace OF conciliation was wholly
erroneous because 1t neglected to
take acrount of the fact that tn.
LIQUIDATION Of the World War II avI.