Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 57, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 October 1919 — THREE GREAT POWERS RATIFY PEACE PACT [ARTICLE]

THREE GREAT POWERS RATIFY PEACE PACT

England, France and Italy have aow ratified the peace pact and league of nations covenant — France ratifying Saturday for a unanimous vote —and 00 far as those countries are concerned peace with Germany has been established and the league covenant is in effect. But the United States, owing to the action of small-bore .politicians, is still in a state of war with the German empire—technically so—and stands alone ‘Outside the league of the three great allies with whom we joined Issues in the world war. So far -as actual hostilities are concerned, the war has been over for almost a year, and yet the cheap politicians of the Lodge, Johnson, Borah ct al type are holding up a ratification of the treaty. In criticising the delay of the senate the Indianapolis News (Rep.) pointed out in its Saturday issue that “with the ratification of the treaty by Great Britain, France and Italy there would be peace between those countries and Germany, while we should still •be technically at war with the latter power. And our late friends would be allied with our enemy. For the treaty and covenant go into effect as soon as ratified by three powers —go into effect, that is, as between those powers. It would be a great mistake to break away, even temporarily, from those nations that were partners with us in the great war, for if the peace of the world is to be maintained, and Germany held In check it must be by those powers and the United States. The world needs a league of freedom. “If there were any need for extended debate, that would be a different matter. But the senate has had the treaty before it for more than three months. One other point that was made in our Washington dispatch of yesterday. It was that after the treaty is in effect as a result of the ratification by the three European powers, it may not be so easy to change it even by reservations. Whether there is anything in that theory or mot, it certainly is highly desirable that America, if .she is to be in the league at all, should be in from the start, and that the treaty which goes into effect so as to bind Great Britain, Italy and France, should be the same treaty as that consented to by our senate. The American people have made it quite clear that they want two things: first, prompt action on the treaty, and second, ratification, with such reservations as will guard doubtful points.” In speaking of the ratification by the French In Monday’s issue, the News said editorially: There is one consideration that it seems important to press at this time. It is that as we won the war in co-operation with our associates and friends, who had held off their (and our) enemy for almost three years before we enttered ipto the struggle, so now it is necessary that we should continue to act in closest accord if we are to harvest the fruits of peace. Therefore, any one who seeks to alienate us from our friends is himself a public enemy, and is playing directly into the bands icf Germany.

This war is not over, and will net be till peace is finally proclaimed. Even then the danger will not be past. Germany is reaching out for conquests in the east, and her new army may soon be in possession of Petrograd. However that may be, it is certain that Germany will not abide by the peace terms unless they are backed up toy the same comibnatioin powers that defeated her in war. France understands this, as does Great Britain. So do the American people. The French yesterday, through the action of the senate, consented to another treaty—the one that binds France, Great Britain and the United States to act together in support of France if she should ever be attacked in aggressive war by Germany. This imposes no obligation that does not, as a matter <of fact, lest on us now. It is absolutely necessary that Germany ■should understand that any such enterprise as that on which she in 1914 will be vetoed In advance by America, Britain and Trance. Here is no question 01 balance of power, or spheres of influence. What is sought is the safety >cf the world, and the protection of human liberty. America owes an enormous debt to France and Great Britain and our people are grateful to both these nations for the heroic sacrifices that they made durinig the war. We can all remember how we prayed that the French might hold Verdun, and the British stand fast at Ypres. We realized that the fight was our fight. When we took it up we were glad and proud that we went through the Hindenburg line with the British, and went with the French into the Argonne. Now we want peace, and a peace that shall be guaranteed by a power capable of enforcing it. To break away at the present time from the associations formed during the war would be an act of madness. The destinies of humanity must be guided by the nations that love peace, and believe in liberty and democracy.