The Allies and the Peace Conference.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16410, 2 January 1919, Page 6

The Allies and the Peace Conference.

It is natural enough that M. Clemenceau's declaration in favour of "the "balance of power'' should arouse adverse comment in America and some uneasiness in Britain. President Wilson had just declared in Manchester, in plain and precise terms, what everyone knowk to be the policy not only of his Administration, but of America as a whole. America, he said, was not interested in European politics, but was interested in the partnership for right between Europe and America. " If the future Las nothing in storfe " but the keeping of peace by the bal"ance of power, the United States " will take no interest in it. We will "join no combination of Powers which " is not a combination of all." Upon this M. Gemenceau remarked that he continues to believe that "the balance " of power, in some form" is essential, and this will be his guiding thought at the coming Conference. The qualifying words do not save M. Clemencaau's declaration from being completely in opposition to Mr Wilson's policy, and therefore, in view of Mr Lloyd George's renewed statement that Britain and America are in complete accord on peace problems, in opposition also to the policy of the British Government. While it would have been more satisfactory if M. Clemenceau were in line with Mr Lloyd George and Mr Wilson in this matter, we do not think any serious fissure is bound to develop. Exactly who is who in the balance of power that M. Clemenceau thinks essential we have yet to learn. He indicates, however, that it will rest upon the association of the four great peoples united by war— the reference being, one assumes, to the peoples of France, Britain, America, and Italy. America, however, must be left out of any calculation which does not begin with a peaceful association of all nations. Any balance of . power that is established will accordingly mean the retirement of America into its policy of isolation from Europe,. although, of course, the failure of the plan for a League of Nations will not leave America unwilling to enter into treaties of arbitration with individual States. The desire in Britain and America for a close union of the two countries is so sincere and so deep that it will be deplorable if America is forced to lemit her interest in the Europe she did so much to save from domination

bv Prussia. Of course none of the Allied Powers can constrain any of the others at the Conference, but Britain can exercise great influence in moderating conflicting views, and we may expect that British influence will be used to secure agreement on this vital question. M. Clemenceau is himself desirous of agreement. ''If we do " not arrive at an agreement," ho said, "our victory will have been in "vain." This declaration is as important as his advocacy of peace through "the balance of power," and it appears to us to exclude the idea that tho attitude of M. Clemenceau will be a blank refusal to consider any alternative to his own "proposals.