The Washington herald., 1914-09-27
SHARP TOLD HOW
j. S. WILL ACT
French Envoy Said This Coun-
try Is Best Fitted to Medi-
ate When Time Comes.
ALL RACES ITS CITIZENS
His Complete Interview from Pans
Herald Not Allowed on Wire by
French Censor.
ALL RACES ITS CITIZENS

The Washington Herald yesterday re.
ceived from its Paris correspondent a copy
Of the Paris Herald of the date of Sep
tember 10 containing the interview with
William G. Sharp, newly appointed
United States Ambassador, soon after his
arrival there.
1t is said the French government was
so agitated by the interview that the
censor refused to allow newspaper cor
respondents to cable it to American
newspapers.
Has Prnise for Herrick.
The article as it appeared in the Paris
Herald is herewith reproduced verbatim
a Herald correspondent yesterday had
a conversation with Mr.. w. G. Sharp,
who has been appointed to succeed Mr..
Myron T. Herrick as american Ambas-
sador to Paris.
Mr.. Sharp is stopping at the Hotel de
Crillon with his son. George.
As he explained to the correspondent,
he is making himself familiar with the
political situation and conditions of the
moment and so preparing himself to
take over his Office at the proper time.
The war has upset many diplomatic
and other precedents,' observed Mr.
Sharp, and he added: AT this critical
period It is quite obvious that Mr.. Her
rick could not desert his post. His
knowledge and experience hRve been
valuable in dealing with the exceptional
and trying situation created by the
war
Mr.. Sharp added that he had Just seen
Mr.. Herrick, to whom he paid high COM
pliments. Mr.. Herrick, he declared, is as
popular in France as in America
United States to Be Neutral.
The first duty Of an ambassador con-
tinued Mr.. Sharp, IS to maintain the
friendliest relations between his country
and that to which he is accredited. 1t
is almost unnecessary to say that there
will be no change of policy with my ar
rival as Ambassador to France. The
friendship between the United States and
France never was frmer than it is to-
day. Personally. I am a fervent admTer
Of France. of French art. culture and
science
Probably no country in the world is
more universally admired fer its high de-
gree of civilization than France. But t
is my duty. as the future representative
of the United States, to be absolutely
neutral in everything concerning the pres
ent conflict. II cannot be too strongly
stated that the United States government
will not swerve from its attitude Of strict
neutrality. The more impartial We remain
the stronger our position will be, and the
better it will be, indeed. for all the bel
hgerentS when the time comes for dis
cussing the conclusion of peace.
United States Wants Early Peace.
For I shall not be indiscreet if I give
Voice to tho thought held by many people
that the role OF the United States is
bound to be a most important one at the
moment
The future ambassador could scarce
ly foreshadow with greater ciearness
Americas eventual mediation. President
Wilson's recent offer, he said. was timely. (
and although every one knew it could /
not then be accepted. yet it had the effect !
Of setting mems minds thinking
What nation could be more fitted
than the United States to take the lead in !,
peace negotiations? asked Mr. Sharp. In |
our nation are malgamated all the races !
now at war. Our sincerity is undoubted |
Our natural position of impartiality and /
neutrality is SUCH that Americas voice /
would surely be listened to at the oppOr-
tune moment
Peace Feeling VIII Result.
Mr. Sharp himself belongs to various
peace organizations in America He be-
1ieves that after the present war there
will be a complete revulsion of public
opinion the world over in favor of peace
" Never he said, will there have been
a ripper moment for the scheme of gen
eral disarmament
Mr.. Sharp would like to see the United
States a party to an epoch-making treaty
sealing an international accord In this
respect he believes that atrocious as IS
this European confagration, good will
De the outcome of all the nations, who
ever the victOrs may be, if Europe reaps
a lasting peace
Mr.. Sharp comes to Paris with a