The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1918-12-03


II is high time that the diplomatic and military
branches Of the United States should work
in better harmony IN making the public acquainted with
the situation that surrounds the American army in Eu-
rope. II the war department does know fhat It is
impossible rush this army home BY October At the
rate Of 100000 month"; the state department should
enghten it, and If the state department does not know
the situation it should make haste post itself
1t ascertain the truth from any of the allied govern
msnts.
The impression has been conveyed to the relatives Of
the American boys that the entire army viii be returned
these shores BY October Unless that impression
corrected there viii be heart burnngs and keen resent
fall when it is discovered that American forces
must remain abroad for considerable period running
perhaps into years.
American forces Prussisn soil. They are
to hold of the RhineIand pending tho conclusion Of
peace. In Of civil war in Gsmanywhich Is con.
tingency becoming probable every hOurthe allied
forces, American included, will be compelled occupy
tategic points and cities in what was the German EN-
pre. The allied nations have an enormous bill against
Germany, and they aOrd to see German assets
consumed in civil All the property that Germany
has is mortgaged civilization to pay the debt which
Germany ewes, far il can pay the debt American
forces in the future more likely to penetrate
deeply into Germany than to be withdrawn.
American troops needed ALSO in the region called
That is now chaos without govern.
ment II is the hotbed Of war; and for centuries its
government prevented the development of democracy
Europe What is America fighting for? Is it not to
it has the fight? Is so the casualties in the
American army pure folly and idle murder
The literal truth is that America has permitted itself
to become immersed in glorious rainbOwcOlOred fog
which il calls peace. The cessation Of fighting is not
the thing peace. Unless peace be secured by
strong and united agreements based upon the genuine
freedom of all governments the present armistice will
be nothing but pause between wars. The seat of Eu
ropes troubles in the Balkans and Hungary
No human being yet knows how the nations arrange
that will insure justice and prevent in Europe
1t folly suppose that nations be killed or created
Ohand 1t is still worse folly to expect to have all ae
counts squared with a safe and sane Germany within
the next rev weeks or MONTHS Americans who count
peace treaty by next March, settling the worlds
troubles merely deIudins themselves, and not
taking into calculation the obvious difficulties.
II is superuous dwell upon the necessity Of cordial
and harmonious action at all times by all the nations
the table The allies will do their best maintain
cordial relations. They know that the difficulties nher
in the situation sufficient differences
and they will be compelled all times exercise mod
GRAFTON in presenting their interests.
The negotiations looking toward peace will be severely
practical when they pass the stage of genuneeon
and mutual compliment. Americans need not deceive
themselves by presumng that the of their great
chief magistrate will induce the grlled and narrowed
victims of Germany forego their opportunity to make
Germany forever incapable of repeating her murderou
assault. Germany would like nothing better than
have Woodrow Wilson placed in the position of defending
her against the wrath and vengeance Of the allied
Of course it is not Mr. Wilson's intention to be maneuv
cred into that position.
The critical hours still with US II is wrong to
jump the conclusion that AlI is over Generalization
ought be too hasy. The allied armies police
Europe for while, and the length of the duty
be arbitrarily fixed simply for the sake of rushing the
boys home. There is something important for the
boys to do than to rush hOme.-WAshngton Post.