Emile Joseph Dillon was a journalist assigned to cover the Treaty of Versailles. Following World War I, the treaty placed a heavy burden of reparations upon Germany, now thought to have resulted in the outbreak of the Second World War.
The author was a journalist with decades of experience in reportage: reporting to his base in London, and abroad in Europe, Turkey, and China, it was with distinction that Dillon conducted his profession. He would famously dress incognito so as to observe events closer and blend in with the local environment.
We hear of the various discussions that were tabled, including the sides which the nations at the table took. On some occasions, agreement was set back by objections of smaller countries wary of the social and economic effects of its tenets. Although concessions were made, it is Dillon's perception that the bulk of the Treaty of Versailles was drawn and at times dictated by Great Britain, France and the United States.
In keeping with the general sentiment of Allied nations and commentators at the time, Dillon was strongly in favor of the punitive financial reparations demanded from Germany. However he notes that Germany could still rise once more, and feels that more should have been done in anticipation of such a resurgence.
Dillon notes that there was a degree of secrecy to how the Treaty was conducted; much of the discussion went on in strictly sealed rooms. Even the smaller players, such as the nations of Eastern Europe, were excluded to the discussions ensuing between the 'Great Powers': the USA, Britain and France.
Many of the finer points of the treaty were unclear until near the conclusion; and some were represented poorly to the public – this, Dillon feels is unfortunate. He also decries the lack of support or commitment by the stronger, Western powers to the weaker nations of the east. Casting doubt on Woodrow Wilson's role as a relatively impartial mediator in the treaty, Dillon muses on how certain other issues of global politics were considered by those present.
The revolution in Russia was ongoing but the Bolsheviks clearly had the upper hand; the representatives of the "white" counter-revolutionaries were dismayed to find their requests for support spurned as the delegates anticipated the arrival of Lenin. Many of the politicians present (Dillon highlights the British attitude) were concerned more about fulfilling campaign promises than attending to other matters.
In all, this is a comprehensive account of the Treaty of Versailles written by a man who observed the mood and sentiments of those present. Publishing this work in 1920, we see how the rancor between Europe's powers shaped an agreement which is today considered the first step back to catastrophic war and carnage.
