The Dominion SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1919. AMERICA AND THE TREATY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 78, 27 December 1919, Page 6

The Dominion SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1919. AMERICA AND THE TREATY

Pkospects of the early ratification of the Treaty of Versailles and of its enforcement on such lines as will make for lasting peace in the world are somewhat brightened by the news of the last day or two. On second thoughts the German delegates are apparently setting limits to the delays they havo been raising in referjcnce to compensation for the Scapa sinkings, and there are other indications that the Treaty may be ratified before many days havo passed. At the same time hopes are raised of an early termination of tho long deadlock in tho American Senate which has done so much to impede the establishment of world peace. Even in announcing that the Allies feel it necessary to proceed with the Turkish settlement without waiting any longer for American cooperation, Mr. Lt.oyd George reaffirms his belief that the United States will assist in upholding the main Treaty and the agreement, jointly _ with Britain, to assist Franco if that country is again attacked by Germany without provocation. His confidence finds some support at least in the later news transmitted direct from WashingSenator Hitchcock,-the Democratic loader in the Senate, is credited with the statement that he has conferred with many Republican Senators, "all of whom evince an earnest desire to see a Treaty compromise worked out," and an accompanying message mentions that following upon a conference between Senators Lodge and Underwood, it is reported that steps towards a Treaty compromise are progressing satisfactorily. How far the negotiations have been carried is not disclosed at the moment, but it is safe to assume that the only compromise the Democratic leaders will consider is one that would bo likely to prove acceptable to the Allies— a compromise, that is to say, that would enable the United States to co-operate with the nations with which it was associated in the late war in organising the world for peace. The choice of the Democratic Senator appointed to confer with tho Republican leader is significant, for Senator Underwood is one of the most uncompromising champions .of the Treaty and the League of Nations Covenant.

The best ground for believing that the negotiations .will succeed is that Senator Lodge and his followers have nothing to offer in place of such a ratification of the Treaty as will commit tho United States to effective membership of the League of Nations. It is their leading contention that tho Treaty and League Covenant as they stand entail an intolerable invasion of American sovereignty, and would commit the United_ States to indefinite external obligations. Reduced to essentials, however, their aititudc is negative, and implies, as Mr, "observed not long ago, that they are prepared to allow the civilised world to go on in the future as it has gone on in the past, "oscillating between those sccncs of violence and sanguinary disturbance and the intervals in which great and ambitious nations pile lift their armaments for a new effort." The fact has to be faced in Amcrica as in other countries that a parochial and limited conception of national duty is inconsistent with the only measures that will serve to maintain peace and eliminate tho causes of war. _ Somo people of allegedly practical bent have found in the obstinately obstructive attitude of the American Republican Senators an argument for the view that the League of Nations is an impossible dream. In actual fact, the utter failure of these hostile critics to suggest any alternative to the establishment of tho League is the most mnphatic endorsement of its necessity that has yet been afforded. The only question really raised is whether tho democratic nations of the world are or are not to make a united and sustained effort to establish peace on firm foundations. No ono has ever been foolish enougli to suggest that the League could be maintained othenviso than by the voluntary co-operation of its principal members. On tho other hand, to suppose that either great or small rations will refuse such co-opera-tion when the choice is definitely set beforo them is to assume that thev arc dead to common sense as well as indifferent to the ideals of international justicc and fair dealing, which are the only guarantee of peace and security for mankind. The whole difficulty thus far in the United States has been that tho establishment of the League of Nations, instead of being considered on its merits, lias been made an issue of _ party _ warfare. In November, using their party majority, Senator Lodge and his supporters succecded in attaching such reservations to thc_Tre.aty as would havo made its ratification by the United States a mockery. Supporters of the Treaty, though they were in n minority, thereupon onposed and defeated ratification with such reservations by withholding the twothirds majority required to give it effect. At the same sitting, Senator Underwood, who is now reported to be conferring with tho Republican leader, proposed tho unconditional ratification of the Treaty, but his motion _was _ defeated by 53 votes to 38. It : s evident that in their party tactics tho Republicans were simply trilling with their responsibilities and evading the crucial issue they are. bound sooner or later to face. Party machinations cannot obscure the fact that the civilised nations of the world are now called upon to choo.se between organising for peace or reverting to conditions which sooner or later will occasion even more terrible wars than that which ended last. year. The Republican Senators, having scored their barren victory, had no practical forward step to propose. For the moment thoy prevented the only stop that was possible towards organising the world for peace, but they had no alternative to offer. Even the most obedient party following is bound to be ill-content with such an .achievement, and there is no reason tc suppose that Senator Hitchcock is unduly optimistic in believing that 'many Republican Senators arc eager to reach an acceptable compromise on the Treaty. In spite of the bitter party feeling that obtains in the Senate, and much as tho supporters of the Treaty and the League have been weakened by the loss of President Wir,son's active co-opera-tion, the case for action in (he interests of peace is of overwhelming strength, and seems bound to

prevail. The Allies, in any ease, arc bound to persevere in their efforts to restore conditions of settled peace and make the Lcairue of Nations a vital factor in world affairs, but their prospects of success will be greatly improved if the hopes now raised in regard to America are realised.