The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-09
GROWING DEMAND FOR FAIR BODY ID
 INVESTIGATE WAR
lnsistance of Impartial Judge Created by Poincare's h. siStance to Be Eliminated
 From Responsibility
By WILLIAM BIRD Special Cable to The Age-HeraId Copyright, 1929. by The Age Herald,

Copyright. 1922. by The AEe-Herald, Paris, July S.-Premier Poincare's desire for easy, self-exculpation has opened for him a pandora's box of troubles. America knows very little about the campaign conducted for a long time in the French socialist and radical papers against Poincare and the war. This campaign has sought to prove, by quoting documents de- rived chiefly from Russian sources, that Poincare foresaw and actively prepared for the war in collaboration with the Czar's government, and even pledged France to back Russia when ever the latter was ready.
 Poincare during the last year has become increasingly irritated because of the character of this campaign. Just before assuming the premiership he delivered series of lectures on the origin of the war, wherein he summed up the evidence of Germany's guilt. But the campaign has con. tinued and certain papers never men, ton the name of the premier with out attaching "the war" thereto.
 Laugh in Graveyard
 Recently communist daily printed picture showing Poincare and American Ambassador Herrick walk ing through the cemetery at verdun apparently laughing. This picture has been printed on hundreds of thou sands of postcards. Dignity would seem to require that such a matter be ignored but Poincare. when taunted with it in the chamber, demanded an open debate on the whole question. All parties, even his most bitter enc mics. with the exception of the com munists. supported him and he re- ceived an overwhelming vote of con- fidence which apparently clears him and enormouslys strengthened his po- sition.
 To those on the inside. however, it is obvious that his demand for a vote on such a question Is as much a sign of weakness as 1t was when Lloyd George demanded vote on the vague terms made public regarding the Ge- noa conference plans. In reality, Poincare, while saving himself, has opened most troublesome question which will not down. Both Lloyd George and Clemenceau have declared that Germany's guilt for commencing the war Is the basis for the whole Versailles treaty and unless that is admitted, the entire structure falls to the ground. Therefore, opening the subject brings the whole peace set tlement into doubt and while the French Chamber of Deputies may readily vote overwhelmingly for Ger many's guilt asquestion easily arises in many minds
 vfctors Assembled
 Versailles was a gathering of vic tors. not of judges, and their verdict cannot be held to establish judicial tru i~ tn ta xtz i,, all countries which do not accept the treaty of Versailles. and among all men who look at the facts impassion- ately. Is a demand for an impartial judicial investigation into this ques- ton. Scientific truths cannot be de- cided by a majority, or even an unani- nous vote of a partisan body.
 The result Is decided weakening of the versailles treaty and many of tho men who voted for Poincare are sick at heart that this question ever was raised and wish that Poincare had consulted his supporters before precipitating the issue. Some even angrily declare that he precipitated the discussion on the eve of the ad- journment of the French Chamber, In order to achieve a personal victory. A few express cynical satisfaction that viviani jumped In and grabbed | large share of easy glory in an elo- quent speech against Poincare's de- sires. In fact. for a moment the de- bate looked like a free-for-all with every ambitious politician attempting to make what political capital he could by supporting the side that was sure to get an overwhelming ma jority.
 But if this debate provokes 8 gen. erals demand for an impartial judicial Investigation into the origin of the war and results in verdict that the world can accept as fair and un- biased, then 1t won't have been In vain; while If the verdict Is ia favor of the thesis adopted at Versailles the result can only be to strengthen the treaty's authority.