The Washington herald., 1917-04-15

moderate Britons regard the entrance of
the United States into even limited hos
tiIities. Is the possibility OF Germany
pulling the wool over the eyes OF Amer
leans and using President Wilson at some
future date as an instrument to help get
. peace which may appear moderate
enough on paper, but would leave Ger
many In a commanding position ready
to resume under more favorable auspices
her attempt TO dominate the world.
There is a radical section. represented
by some thirty members OF Parliament
and such organs as the London Nation
and the Manchester Guardian. which
agrees with American liberal opinion that
Germany win behave II she is well-treat-
ed. viii oust her junker rulers. and unite
In a peace league. But, at present at
least, these optimists have little infiu-
ence. The feeling that Germany must
bo soundly beaten and that her scheme
be broken up before the German people
viii renounce their dreams of dominion.
is all but universal.
'sThe Germans have developed a mys-
ticism of blood. which can only be
scotched by the carrying OF fire and
sword through German territory, by
actual proof to the German mind that
war as an industry does not pay, by
actual realization through experience OF
what the things German troops have
done In France and Belgium mean 70
the populations Of those countries" said
George Moore, the famous novelist, In a
conversation with me today which Is
typical of other conversations with men
whose positions prevent the use of their
names.
England Ia Friendly.
1--WE know that the heart Of America
Is IN the right place" went on Mr.. Moore,
''and what we distrust is only her head.
American determination to see that Bel
GUM is restored and compensated, that
northern France Is given up. that justice
Is done as regards the question of Alsace
ana Lorraine, Is Just as great or almost
as great as our own. because Americans
understand these things But what we
ara afraid of Is that American opinion
through ignorance will be willing to fall
into the trap II the Germans offer Just
settlement in the west and try to realize
their victory In the east. in Poland and
the Balkans, Serbia, Rumania and Tur-
key, regions am afraid Americans know
very little about and care less about "
To sum up, British opinion as I have
found it on the eve OF the assembling OF
Congress Is much more friendly and sym
pathetic than should have thought pos
sibIe a few months ago. The difficulties
in the way OF a prompt and vigorous par
ticipation in the war are thoroughly un-
derstood, and criticism at home of the
confusion and muddles that are bound to
arise II an active policy is decided upon
will be much more severe than hers,
where the memory OF what chaos 1t
means to enter q great war is still fresh
and bitter. It Is believed in responsible
quarters that America, once having de-
cfdad that she fs at war with GArrnany.
will throw herself into the struggle with
all her might. ultimately IL not at first.
II the shipbuilding and naval resources
Of the United States are put at the dis
posal of the alliance. IL unlimited credits
are extended, and supplies and munitions
furnished as before, there will be no
criticism in responsible quarters II Presi-
dent Wilson decides not to send troops
Above all, 1t is the moral effect of the
break with Germany that seems most
important here at this time. The effect
upon the Germans themselves. coupled
with the reverberations of the Russian
revolution, will be overwhelming. In the
opinion of many men who know Germany
well. And the widespread fear that Amer
ican policy at the settlement will be
for a weak peace" Is somewhat alIayed
by the belief that the United States VIII
not have been at war many months be-
fore direct revelations OF the German
character and war methods will have
been brought home to the American peo-
pie in such fashion that they with agree
TO the most severe measures necessary
to break up the threatened German DOM
nation Of Europe. There Is one phase
above all that still sticks In the throats
of the British. and that II 'peaco with
out victory"