PEACE TERMS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16503, 2 August 1919, Page 6

PEACE TERMS.

A REVIEW. THE “ROEND TABLE” ON THE TREATY. The Round for Juno contains a careful criticism of tho terms of Peace. It maintains that the Allied delegates aro to a great extent travelling in unexplored country-, that only experience can prove whether many of their decisions aro right or wrong. U lays down as a necessary condition lor the successful application of the tcyns that there shall bo “open-minded conference and co-operation, when that becomes possible, between the victors and their various enemies.” At present much of the treaty is good ; but it does not hang together, it is “good in warp, but there is no woof, and it needs co-operation between the Allies and our lute enemies to give it substance.

THE TWO PRINCIPLES

The Treaty, the writer of the article points out, boars unmistakable,signs of being a couiproiuiso between two principles. On the one hand, we find an idealism looking to the future, endeavouring to build up a new world on the ruins of the old.' On the_ other, there is the motive of fear, leading tho authors of the terms to look at tho past rather than tho future. Unfortunately, although tho idealism is sane, it cannot ho denied that many of tho fears are just. Thcf appalling experience through which we have passed cannot be ignored, and its recurrence must be guarded against. But those who feel this fear the most acutely have unfortunately ‘'sought to capitalise tho advantage of the moment” at the expense of tho future. Thus, although on its main lines tho Treaty is just, 0 although Germany had to surrender Alsace-Lorraine, to make reparation including that for the destruction of the French coalfields, to agree to the reconstitution of Poland, to disarm; although all these things are necessary, yet in many directions wo find'that justice, has been strained against Germany, that every doubtful point has gone against her, and tho accumulation of these small wrongs has made up a very considerable whole.

SPECIAL POINTS OF OBJECTION. Tho writer considers tho trial of _ the Kaiser to be a' mistake, but be finds in' tlie reparation clauses the most notable instance of the application of ivrono- principles. Tho idea that Gerdebt is to bo undefined, that tho harder she works tho more she will be made to pay, is obviously as inexpedient as it is severe. ... The exclusion of German Austria from Germany, even if she should wish for incorporation, is obviously in contravention dr tho principle of self-de-termination. The- actual terms of tho Saar valley clauses open up a wide vista of dispute for the future. _ But tho one clear and obvious need is for some provision whereby the early incorporation of Germany in the League of Nations can ho made possible All the terms really require that she shall co-operato in their execution. Unless K l,o is admitted early and on reasonable terms, she will he driven to form with Russia a bloc against tlie League, which would be a severe blow at the latter’s universality. Much will dcncud on the way m which the League is piloted in the future, and the responsibility for this in the opinion of the writer of tho article will lie with Britain and America.