The New Zealand Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1919. DANGER TO PEACE?

New Zealand Times, Volume XLV, Issue 10450, 1 December 1919, Page 6

The New Zealand Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1919. DANGER TO PEACE?

Undoubtedly the situation caused by the action of the United States Senate is the reverse of comfortable. But the degree of its discomfort, which is excessive, is really a hopeful sign of restoration. The discomfort is not confined to the United States; it is a deadlock for the world. Tho decision deprives the League of Nations of the collaboration of the United States, a thing contrary to the public sentiment of the country, and -weakens the League to the point of futility. Moreover, it forces 4he United States to make peace separately with Germany, a thing impossible without the consent' of the Leaguo of Nations. In addition, it is the logical forerunner of a refusal on the part of tho United States Senate to ratify the Treaty between the United States, Britain, and France, made for assuring protection, during the early and powerless, days of the League of Nations, to Franoe against any possible attack from her still powerful neighbour. In addition to all this, the decision will practically withdraw the United States from the work of straightening np Europe to ensure tho advantage of universal peace, which is tho main object of international solicitude at the present moment. It is evident that the Senate's decision, if persevered with, will deadlock the. whole world, and lose all tho fruits of tho great victory won in tho cause of tho world's freedom and well-being. Obviously, the decision must bo changed. Therefore, tho general agreement in the United States that there will be a compromise. It is the only way out, and it is imperative that tho compromise must give the minimum of alteration to the Treaty. The situation is a complicated whole, which cannot be interfered with in any of its many important parts. The common-sense of tho American people must see tho matter in that light. More especially as tho people j by overwhelming majority supported the President in all the things that are in this very complicated Treaty, which must stand as it is, practically, or fall to pieces to the great detriment of the world. This support of the majority has been overlooked by the Senate during the course of the faction fight which ended in the deadlock of the world. The voice of the people is not, under the circumstances, likely to remain silent. It is sure to bo heard declaring that the great power of Treaty. Ratification was not placed in tho hands of the Senate to bo played with by factions for factional purposes. Ultimately probably there will be an insistent call for the amendment of the United States Constitution by the addition of some safeguard against I tho arbitrary power of factions. And this means more than it appears to mean, because, as recent events have shown, the politicians have shown in important matters a disregard for public opinion which will not be long without its consequences. But for the immodiate present, a strong expression of public opinion, with tho ultimate probability of constitutional change in tho background will, there is reason to believe, bo sufficient to bring tho factions of the Senate to a due sense of their misuse of the Senatorial power. Not improbably this is implied by tho general agreement that there will bo a compromise. Will there bo time? Two or three weeks is tho period during which nothing final can be done, for that is tho period of recess and the negotiations after the Senate meets again. Tho only sign of urgency comes from Germany. In that country, if we are to

believe certain reports, there is a movement by the Junker party ready to burst forth in reactionary action with a powerful army behind it, led by the restored idols, Hindenburg and Ludendorff. But there are other ments which are not likely to tamely submit to Junker dictation and Hohenzollern coercion, democratic elements which since tho war have tasted Democracy, and, moreover, have a very lively recollection of the horrors and sufferings of the war that was forced upon them. As a matter of fact, Germany is divided, and is getting back to work in earnest. But it is not necessary to discuss the internal situation of Germany. The weapon outside is the blockade, and the British Fleet can make an effective blockade which would bring about the collapse of German reactionary hostility in one act. Germany, which knows well what blockade means, is not likely to run any risk of its repetition. There is no immediate urgency to force on the compromise in the American Senate. Compromise will come leisurely.