The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-10-19

man East Africa and concessions at the
expense of Holland, Poland. Czechoslo-
vakia. Jugoslovia and the border states
desired independence. Roumanta want
ed Transylvania and Bessarabia. Amer
lea wanted nothing in territory
The game of grab at the peace table
was prevented by Woodrow Wilson. He
defied the elements Of greed. He insist
ed that the territory taken from Ger
many be placed under mandate until the
inhabitants were enabled to determine
their own future.
This prolonged the conference. The
Italian delegates went home in a huff.
As days came and went, sovietish1 was
spreading over southeastern Europe
The shadow of hunger hung over mil
lions of homes. Ir time it was race.
so far as the peace-makers were con-
cerned, with starvation and revolt
ton.
Mr. Wilson, and those who were pos
sessed of a like idealism made the
best Of a bad situation. They were un-
able to enforce in toto the principle OF
the fourteen points.
l do not attempt to speak for Mr.
Wilson, but I am convinced that he
signed the treaty in the same spirit that
animated Gen. SHUTS. Doubtless the
feeling with those possessed of high
purpose was that the League Of Nations
under the favoring conditions OF SUD
siding passions would be enabled
through mediation to make the neces-
sary readjustments.
Confirmation of this view would seem
to be afforded by the original draft OF
Article X of the Covenant drawn by
Mr.. Wilson himself 1t was as foiio"s'
Covenant Shows Hope
To End All Wars.
THE contracting powers unite IN
guaranteeing. to each other pohtlca4 IN
danendence and territorial integrity: but
II is understood between them that
such territorial readjustments. II any,
as may in the future become necessary
bv reason Of changes in present fac1ai
conditions and aspirations or preschI So
cfal and political relationships pursuant
to the principle of seH-determlnatlon'
and also such territorial adjustments
as may in the Judgment OF three-lourths
of the delegates be demanded ny the
welfare and manifest interest OF the
peoples concerned may be efrecteo II
agreeable to those people; and that
territorial changes may in equity in
yolvo material compensation. The con-
tracting powers accept without reser-
walton the principle that the peace OF
the world is superior in importance 10
every question of political jurisdiction
or boundary
There Is a considerable feeling that
it would have been better if Mr. Wilson'S
first draft had been adopted. 1t not
only laid down the fixed principle or
national rights, but it explicitly prom
ised relief If 1t developed that certain
frontier arrangements were 1ouno unue-
sirable.
Advocates Of the league, certainly,
must have regarded the door as open
for the problems lying in the future.
otherwise it is doubtful whether Gen.
Smuts. for instance, would have signed
the treaty.
Four years have elapsed and the
truth of his observations is apparent.
1t remains to be seen whether another
four years must come and go before the
possibilities Of the League Of Nations
are realized in America.
Article x, War DOGGY,
May Be Changed.
Article x, which aroused so much
controversy in America, did not receive
as much notice in Europe. In fact,
students of the covenant have been sur
prised that it occasioned such a mares
nest here. Doubtless, Lord Robert Cecil
had in mind American DIRECTORS to Ar
tfcle Y when he recently proposed an
amendment to the constitution which
provides that If force is invoked in re-
straint of an aggressive act only con-
tinental soldiers shall be used.
The general belief. although 1t is not
urged against Lord Cecils suggestion.
is that the league in all probabi will
never have to go beyond the measure Of
an economic boycott. In support OF this
Is cited the Albanian episode.
The Albanians are q little people who
have from time immemorial lived on
the southern coast Of the Atlantic sea.
Until the Balkan wars of 1913, they