Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-26

ence in Paris in July of last year de-
clared for an uncompromising war
after the war. The nations which
were fighting together were determined
to trade together. Embattled CONNER
cial groups would supplant embroiled
nations: boycotts, determinations and
exclusions would succeed the strate-
giles of line and trench, the apimos-
titles fought out today with shell and
steel would have their heritage in
ruthless business rivalries.
1t all meant that. when peace comes.
national and industrial defense among
the warning countries will be one and
the same thing. The allies learned to
their cost that the economic advance
of Germany was merely part of her
one-time resistless military machine.
Her trade and her preparedness went
conqueringly hand in hand. Hence
forth, that game would be played by
all. England. for instance would
manufacture dyestuffs not only for her
textile trades, but because coal tar
products are essential to the making
of high explosives.
Competition. therefore. which was
once merely part of the natural prog
ress of q country, will thereafter be a
large part Of the struggle for national
existence.
More than this, self-sufficiency has
become the aim of the whole allied
group to be achieved without the aid
or consent of any other nation or
The whole economic pact of Paris
planned huge allied monopoly. a sort
of monster and militant trust. with
cabinets of ministers for directories.
armies and navies for trade scouts and
aroused citizens for statesmen. 1t was
a, bill of world trade rights that made
scant mention of neutrals and no ref
erence at all to the greatest of all
non-belligerent countries which hap
pened to be in the United States.
This then was the dilemma that
America faced by reason of her nom
participation in the war. As a highly
commercialiZed neutral rolling into
sudden wealth and an undreamed-o of
of having all allied economic hands
raised against her or the alternative of
a trade alliance with Germany and the
central powers.
But the United States cast her lot
with the great cause. and thus not only
rehabilitated herself in the eyes of the
allies, but also took out insurance
against future economic world isoia-
ton She made herself an ex-officio
party to the Paris agreement to share
in all its privileges and its preroga-
tiyes 1t means that neither Great
Britain nor France. who are the DOM
economic forces among the al
lies, can discriminate. either by boy
colt or control of navigation, against
the United States
The American who goes abroad now
finds wholly new attitude towards
America. Instead of calling us "a
nation of shopkeepers." we are hailed,
despite President Wilson's long policy
of watchful waiting, as the saviors
of Europe.
The plain truth of the matter is that
America stepped into the European
situation at a God-given moment and
in time to save the allies. I do not
mean that England and France would
not have fought to the very last ditch.
but our entry not only takes a great
burden from their wearied shoulders
but also puts the final guarantee upon a
triumphant peace with victory. Never,
in all the history of wars, was aid
more welcome, and never was it given
in better cause.
Despite the heartfelt satisfaction