The Daily News. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1919. WILSONISM AND REALISM.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1919. WILSONISM AND REALISM.

The chorus of complaint in Prance is rising concerning the lack of method and coherency in the Peace Conference, and strong fears are entertained concerning the protection of France's eastern frontier. It may be that the French are taking a very pessimistic view of the effect of President Wilson's lofty ideals and his tendency, uncurbed by British dtlegates, to refrain from humiliating Germany. We are quite prepared to admit that some of the extreme remarks made by the French press have been indiscreet, but it must be borne in mind that France has suffered severely at Germany's hands, and it is perfectly clear there is a very real alarm at the consideration that is being shewn to Germany by President Wilson. No one who is cognisant of what Germany has done to France can possibly blame the French for their anxiety as to wiiat Germany may do if President Wilson's policy dominates the League of Nations. It is only natural that France should be claiming reliable guarantees for the protection of her eastern frontier—in other words for protection from another German invasion. The weak spot in the American president's armor is the German vote in the United States, and amid all the Wilsonian persistent i'iealism there appears to be a very human trait which takes the form of keeping an eye on the main chance as represented by the voters. While exaggerated and mischievous agitations are to be deprecated, it is not out of reason to contend that President Wilson should descend from cloud land and devote his energies to matters that are real and urgent, and the British delegates should gently, but firmly, pilot him into an atmosphere where the dangers ef German scheming and intrigue can be seen in their true perspective. The amendments asked for 1.-y France and Japan afford a favorable opportunity for reviewing the situation. While President Wilson is strenuously opposing the imposition of more drastic armistice terms, France is em- j phasising the unrepentant and warlike spirit of the Germans, and L'Echo de Paris asks: "Why should ideology be allowed to remain as an obstacle to tiie victory so dearly bought?" Herein appears to be the crux of the matter. Germany asserts she has not been defeated, but the Allies consider that her unconditional surrender was a complete victory for tf.em, while substantial evidence exists to support the claim to victory by the surrender of the German fleet and the occupation of German territory. At the same time, from the recent tone adoptee, by the enemy it would seem t.'iat an error of judgment was committed in not inflicting that crushing military defealt Avhieli was saved by the armistice. Germany only recognises the efficacy of force and intrigue, and the latter is more to be feared than the f-rmer, hence the outcry in France "if we are resolute the enemy will yield." The whole of the French press implores President Wilson to look upon realities and abandon the old idea of a peace without victory. It may be considered heresy to suggest that the business of the Peace Conference exhibits a lack of properly arranged sequence, and unseemly haste over v<ry important matters that should have been given preference over the League of Nations. For that, President Wilson's dominance is undoubtedly responsible. After what France has suffered it is to be deplored that cause should have been-given for such a storm of French protest against Wilsonism. It is manifest this impatience and querillousness should not be allowed to continue, and the only cure is to removethe cause. France has much at stake beside the protection of her eastern frontier, for she has her industries to safeguard. The Germaus did their best to destroy French industries with the object of compelling France to purchase materials and machines y from Germany, who thus hoped to monopolise the French markets, and make the German-equip-ped French industry into an auxiliary of the German industry in ! the fight against Anglo-Saxon I commerce, and she is still work-' b'g in this direction. An evidence ; of this is given by German pur-: chase of colonial stocks, when the i mandatory system was accepted,' as it was believed that German J tympanies would be able to carry on their industries in their evstJ

! while possessions. That there are good grounds for French alarm over the need for protection from invasion is apparent from the opinion expressed that the French views may be met by pledging each nation in the league to provide a certain force available to maintain the peace of the world. At once this proposal, stands condemned, so far as France is concerned, by the obvious inference that another war looms in the not distant future. It lias been proclaimed by the present German authorities that Alsace-Lorraine have not been lost to Germany. If that assertion means anything it clearly indicates that an effort will be made to re-annex these p-ovinces. The only measures nt will prevent another military conflagration are disarmament and the prohibition of the manufacture of munitions of war, due safeguards being taken i\,i- the observance of the conditions necessary to ensure these terms. Moreover, Germany should be made to pay in money and materials to the utmost of her ability in o, .-v to restore the industries wilfully destroyed, to repair the ravages of the war, and to reimburse the war expenditure of the Allies. It is Hie realities that matter. The Heals can wait till Germany has done pennance for her crimes and repented of her evil ways