The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-11-02
Europe Through
An Editors Eyes
By JAMES M. cox.
Ex-Governor of Ohio.)
Nineteenth Installment.
\"THE PEACE TREATY IN THE
VIEW OF TODAY.

| ~ 1hE fEAOE TREATY In IhE
VIEW OF TODAY.
The makers of the Treaty of YER
sailles did not regard it as a(perfect
instrument. 1t was impossible to do
some of the things at the time which,
in the interest of a permanent peace
were deemed essential. The average
critic of the, treaty is so blinded by
craftsmanship that he gives no thought
to the many difficulties that sur
rounded the conference.
| Certainly no one belieyed it posi-
BILE that America would abandon the
labOrs of readjustment. The moral
responsibility was quite as binding as
it was during the war. If civilization
was imperiled by a military autoera-
cy, the destruction of. the menacing
institution was but the first pert of
the world task.
America struck the determining
blow at the crucial hour in the war
and afterward abandoned not only the
victors but the vanquished as we'll.
Half the troubles attendant upon
the present European situation have
come from the overhanging bitterness
of the past. 1t was America that
spoke the terms upon which arms
were laid down. She not only rend-
cred great service to mankind when
she did it, but she assumed the moral
obligation to see that the faith was
kept. =
To one who wants to reflect upon
the facts, it is apparent that the peace
treaty was but preliminary to a pro-
gram of international justice. IN
questionably, the potential figures at
peace table regarded the pact as only
beginning, recognizing that it was
necessary to create at the earliest pos
sible moment working base.
Peace Treaty Held
Mere Preliminary Step.
General SHUTS, the South African
statesman, stated at the time, 81 have
sighed the treaty not because I con-
slider it a satisfactory document, but
because it is imperative1y necessary
to close the war. =. Nothing could
be more fatal than the continuance of
this state of suspense. !. The
months since the armistice was signed
have perhaps been as upset, unset
tied and ruinous to Europe as the
previous four years of war.
II do not wish to find fault with the
work done. 1 feel that in the treaty
we have not yet achieved the real
peace to which our peoples were look
ing. The real work of making peace
will only begin after this treaty has
been signed and definite halt has
thereby been called on the destruc-
tive passions that have been desolat-
ing Europe for nearly five years.
There are still territorial settle
ments which will need revision; there
are guarantees laid down which we all
hope will soon be found out of har-
mony with the new Peaceful temper
and unarmed state of our former enc
mics. There are indemnities stipulat-
ed which cannot be exacted Without
great injury to the Industrial revival
of Europe and which it will be in
the interest of all to render more toll
cradle and moderate. =
I'm this treaty, however, two
achievements of far-reaching import
ance for the world are definitely re-
corded: The one is the destruction
of Prussian militarism; the other is
the institution of the League Of Ma
tions.
81 am confident that the league will
yet prove a path Of escape for Eu-
rope out of the ruin brought about
by this war. :. The enemy peoples
ought at the earnest possible date
join the league and in collaboration
with the allied peoples learn to prac-