Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-07-11
Basis on Which Versailles
Peace Was Negotiated
Now Is Threatened by the
Premier of France
BY WILLIAM A. BIRD
(Leased Wire Service to The Journal.)
- - Copyright. 1927

- (Copyr1ght. l3Zz.J
PARIS, July 8.-Premier Poin-
cares desire for easy self expulation
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 So
cia1ist and radical papers against
Poincare and the war, This cam
paign has sought to prove, by quot
ing documents derived chiefly from
Russian sources, that Poincare fore
saw and actively prepared for the
war in collaboration with the cars
government, and even. pledged
France to back Russia whenever
the latter was ready.
When Poincare during the last
year has become increasingly ir-
ritated because of the character Of
this campaign. Just before assum-
ing the premiership he delivered a
series of lectures on the origin Of
the war wherein he summed up thu
evidence of Germany's guilt. But
the campaign has continued and GER
tain papers never mention the name
Of the premier without attaching
the war" thereto.
POincare Tainted
Recently a communist daily print
ed a picture showing Poincare and
American Ambassador Herrick walk
ing through the cemetery at Verdun
apparently laughing. This picture
has been printed on hundreds Of
thousands of post cards.
Dignity would seem to require that
such d matter be ignored but Poin-
care, when tainted with it in the
chamber, demanded an open debate
on the whole question. All parties.
even his most bitter enemies, with
the exception of the communists,
supported him and he received an
overwhelming vote of confidence
which apparently clears him and
enormously strengthened his posi-
tion..
To those on the inside, however,
it is obvious that his demand for a
vote on such question is as much
a sign Of weakness as it was when
Lloyd George demanded a vote on
the vague terms made public regard
ing the Genoa conference plans. In
reality Poincare, while saving him
self, has opened a most troublesome
question which will not down.
Both Lloyd George and Clemen-
ceau have declared that Germany's
guilt for commencing tho war is the
basis for the whole Versailles treaty
and unless that is admitted the IN
tire structure falls to the ground.
Therefore opening the subject brings
the whole peace settlement into
doubt and while the French cham
Der may readily vote overwhelming
ly for Germany's guilt a question
easily arises in many minds.
VictOrs Gather
Versailles was a gathering Of vic
tors, not of judges and their verdict
cannot be held to establish judicial
truths. What is certain to arise in
all countries which do not accept
the treaty Of Versailles, and among
all men who look at the facts I'M.
| passionately is a demand for an i'm.
partial judicial investigation into
| TINS question. Scientific truths can
not be decided by a majority.
The result is a decided weakening
OF the Versailles treaty and many OF
the 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 ever
angrily declare that he precipitateC
the discussion on the eve of the adj
journment of the French chamber
in order to achieve a personal vic
tory.
| IA few express cynical satisfaction
that Viviani jumped in and grabbed
G. large share of easy glory in an elo
quent speech against Poincare's de
s'ires. In fact for a moment the de
bate looked like a free-for-all with
every ambitious politician attempt
ing to make what political capita
he could by supporting the side that
was sure to got an overwhelming
majority.
But if this debate provokes a gen
eral demand for an impartial Judicial
investigation into the origin of The
war and results in a verdict that the
world can accept as fair and I'm
biased then it wont have been ir
vain if the verdict is in favor of the
thesis adopted at Versailles the re
suit can only be to strengthen the
treaty's authority.