New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-01
By FRANK Fl. SIMONDS


at is the most important thing
for the Allied cause since Nerdun'' -
These words Of Joseph Reinach'
the French statesman and publicis1
m the morning when Paris first knew
that the United States had severed
Diplomatic relations with Germany
are q fair index of the French view
Of the American action.
For France the action Of the Pres
dent was accepted as tardy but
complete vindication Of the universal
French view that the war was one
between barbarism and civilization;
and all France felt that the last of
the great nations of the world had
finally set its seal Of disapprOval and
condemnation upon German mill
tsrism.
The course Of the United States
did not influence French or British
oninion as to peace. The decision
on this point had already been made.
It had been reached before Mr.. VIII
son made his first peace gesture. In
both nations, as I shall endeavor to
point out in subsequent articles,
there had been a careful taking of
stock weeks before the President
sent his first note. Both nations had
taken measure of themselves and of
their future, and both had decided
that there could be no peace without
victory, and no life, either for them
selves or for the civilization which
they believed in, before Germany had
been defeated.
Preceded German Peace Proposal
This decision had preceded the
German peace proposal, and that also
fell on deaf ears. 1t awakened no
response in the heart OF in the head
Of the masses Of the French and the
British. President Wilson's subse-
guent proposals hurt more French
men than they angered, and | am not
sure that they did not anger more
British than they hurt. But for both
they we're without appeal.
On the other hand, when the Pres
ident severed diplomatic relations
The effect was enormous. It gave the
French precisely that moral impetus
which heartened them, appealed 70
their enthusiasm and gave them not
new belief in the justice Of their
course, but a sort Of Endorsement
which the declaration Of faith by a
new convert may give the eldest Of
tie converted.
do not think it would be possible
70 calculate the moral effect Of the
Presidents action in France. 1t was
a German defeat in French eyes
which will not be forgotten, even if,
ss no Frenchman believes, the fort
lnes Of war are not decisive this
ytar. II destroyed an atmosphere
4 peace, not dangerous at the mo-
'Aent but not without future peril,
lad America continued TO remain
'sulral and 70 make peace gestures
through another year Of indecislve
'sttling.
The effect Of the action was cleo
neal. All Paris knew it almost be-
ore daylight, and IL was Sunday
. which Paris belonged 10 the few
Americans who were there. Among
he French IL was accepted as the
1snrance Of our immediate entry
NO the war. The welcome to be
'fepared for the first American regi-
nent marching through the Champs
-iysess and entrsining for the front
Fss discussed.
YindlesfiOn for Entente
Yet deeper than this emotion was
- aense Of having found a com
lee yindication In the cyes Of the
ne great neutral nation. All
hfough The var IL has been incoin-
'rshsnsible for the French that the
'hhsd States could continue on
errns Of relative friendliness with
ne nation whore crimes against