New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-20
r,.nch Official, Second
Only to Premier, Makes
Remarkable Admission
WARM Wilson's Hands
france Comedies Victory or
Defeat for Allies Rests
with America
Ln, cahl. 70 NE rr1hunsl

PARIS, May To- ~ H'h'i'N"
II. q separate peace with Germany
!. wopld be impossible for other states
% continue the war
This remarkably frank statement
,s made TO me in conversation with
nan who is second only to NJ. Ribot,
=, Premier. in tho conduct Of the for
zen affairs Of France. ] had asked
,;o what the French government con-
.;ssred were the prospects Of the
United States signing the pact not to
make a separate peace.
q have the conviction that it would
l. ;npossible for the United States to
,ske separate peace now he said
s,ueriea has not gone into the war
,lo the other countries concerned, but
Jovlv and only after long reflection,
"a because Of many deliberate acts OF
nroyocation by Germany. President
wilson has said that America has en-
tered the war TO help set the affairs OF
The world in order. That end cannot
h, accomplished if President Wilson
makes a separate peace. and we have
fnu confidence that America will not
.,on until the work is done-thst 1t
,.;r continue the war as long as nee
,,.,ry 10 fulfil the ends President
Wilson has laid down.
aWe do not feel that il is necessary
for President Wilson to sign the Lon
don agreement We can take the word
n America without 8 written engage
ment that it will not stop until the
ends of the war arc accomplished
Now Rests with America
This statement is very important,
and il is remarkable for the amazing
fr.nkness of the first sentence. / talked
10 this same man the dsy that America
fo-msllv entered the war and there
vas no such frankness on his part
hen. At that time. with him, with Nj.
Rbot and with practically all the other
Members OF the French government,
,i.re was q strong disposition TO look
m the entry of America into the war
from the sentimental side. AT least,
,b,t WAS the point of view they as
,ursd in all they said for publication.
Aduirsl Lacaze, the Minister of Ma
ri,s was the only one who seemed 10
realize the material Importance OF
Americas coming in. He grssped the
rev situation at once and eagerly, and
I'D not hesitate to show his apprecis-
ton. Tho others seemed to see only
the sentimental side.
A few days later. after the first ex-
rbersnce over a new ally had worn
Of. We began to get more practleai
view. Strangely enough, this practicai
view worked from underneath 10 the
top. That is TO say, IT was not mrs!
taken by the Cabinet ministers ana
communicated TO their subordinatesi
but Il was first taken by the under
secretaries and from them reached the
Cabinet. In fact, one OF the rrst men
heard express himself in terms OF
what America can do for victory was
a sort OF assistant sub-seeretary 10
an under-secretary. Then came tne
under-secretaries. and now we have the
acknowledged heads of the govern
ment unhesitstingly admitting tha'
victory or defeat lies with America.
The reason for this inverse progress
is think. that while the Cabinet MIN
isters are the men responsible for the
policies OF the government, 1t IS tae
under-secretaries and their subordi-
mates who are the technical experts
charged with the practical working OUT
If the policies adopted. One often finds
4 technical expert Of the highest abil-
ity in a sous-lieutenant's uniform, and
because Of his rank in subordinate
position, doing the most important
work.
America Holds the Answer
Thus il was the subordinates who
realized the high Importance OF Amer
iea's taking part in the war. SEMI
ment appealed TO them. but facts hit
them IN the eye. They had been study.
ing America from q material point oil
view. while the political chiefs were
looking for moral support. IL did mol
take long for the subordinstes 70 COM
municate the new point of view 10
their chiefs, and now they come out
openly and say plainly that the war Is
in the hands of America.
Moreover, it is not only words but
deeds. The whole organization OF
France is now being turned toward CO.
operation with America. There is
magnificent organization for war here
that has been built up by nearly three
years of unstinted effort. Ii has had
two directions, TO the interior of
France and TO England. The last ten
days has seen this organization SWING
ing on a pivot. II is facing west now
II is facing America. It's arms are
stretching across the Atlantic. lts
heart is on the western seaboard. II
is 20 America that France looks br
victory
hope that America realizes the re,
possibility that is hers. The emo
has come for philosophical contempla'
ton. for arguments pro and con. Inc
time has come for action, Tor concen'
rated effort with no wasted energy
Tor cscr.. counts victory OF