Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-04-17
AMERICA AND THE ENTENTE.
TSioux CITY journal

[SiouX City Journal
In order to assess intelligently the
| considerations that are pressing the
United States into so close a practical
cooperation with the entente allies as
practically to identify ourselves with
them, II Is necessary that we recognize
| the peri! into which we should be
| thrown II the allies were to conclude
that their war objects had been served
at least as far as 1t was practicable to
serve them. before we as nation had
vindicated against Germany the hui
manitarian cause for which We drew
the sword. In other words. we are IN
a position where we must consider
whether the allies need us more
scutely today than we need them to-
morrow. It is a question which a eau
tious government may not dodge.
Seeing this predicament very clearly
from the beginning the distinguished
emissaries OF Great Britain and France
who soon will engage In a war confer
ence at Washington will not fail to
urge, politely but with some insistence,
that the United States commit Itself In
come definite way to the achievement
OF the same war aims that are held by
the entente governments. This will DO
difficult TO refuse, particularly II the
astute gentlemen from the other side
Of the ocean propose nothing more OBJ
jectionable than already has been out
lined as the peace conditions of the
entente.
To complete restoration of Bel
gium America surely will not be OPP
az a ian 81
part OF Aisace Lorraine was limited at
by President wilson IN one OF mis-
peace notes as a reasonable demand.
a free Poland combining German and
Austrian as well as Russian territory
doubtless would be agreeable to the
presidents regard for the principle of
nationality. AS for the Dardaneles--
what show Of hostility can Washing
ton muster against the passing of that
Turkish prize into the hands Of our
great sister democracy Russia? The
Balkan and colonial questions can be
nothing else than minor. Italia ire
denta offers no serious stumbling
block. There probably will be no in
demnity.
In these things there IL no cause for
such hanging back on the part Of
America as might imperil her own VI
tai interests, II would seem. The ap-
parent readiness Of the entente powers
to fall in line with the plan for world
concert to enforce peace makes II still.
easier for Washington. II 1t chooses, TO
swallow the entente program.
1t does not follow that the United
States will subscribe to everything Mr..
Bafour and NJ. yiviani may suggest.
It probably Will not even be necessary
to make categorical avowal OF deter
mination to conclude no separate
peace. But the effect. It may be sur
missed, will not be far from that. The
allies will be prepared to go n consid-
cradle way to meet our wishes. We
shall have to expect that we must com
promise some OF our fondness for
playing a lone hand In order TO meet
their wishes We are at war which
In practical thing. And very little
reflection as to the position we should
be In X the European struggle ceased
while We were stu battling for de-
mocracy IL calculated to raise ones
hair.
We can not even be indifferent to
Russia That alarming possibility
means as much TO America now as 1t
does to England. The administration
recognizes 1t. The administration IL
doing what 1t can to avert 1t. Failing
away OF Russia from the entente
would mean either defeat and almost
vassalage for the democratic world.
including the United states. or. at the
best, a long and sanguinary struggle
In France to which the United States
Of America would have to contribute
millions of it's young men and untold
billions OF dollars.
The United States Is in no position
to be intolerant OF the allies war poll
cies. The United States must accept
the fact that 1t Is no one-sided prop
osition that will be made by the COM
missioners from Great Britain and
from France.