Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-11-29
WHY H FURRY?

In some sections of the country, there appears to be
q disposition to over-estimate the Importance of Presi-
dent Wilson's visit to France and to arouse petty political
differences between America and England and America
and France. The president is going to the preliminary
conference at the behest Of the British and French pre-
miers; he is going for the sole purpose of shaping his
peace principles so that their application. so far as
deemed advisable by the conferees, may be easy of at
tainment. may be thorough, convincing and effective.
There are many things to be cleared up, and the prest-
dent will have to do considerable explaining and for this
reason Lloyd George and Clemenceau desired his attend
ance at the early gathering.
To many it may appear unseemly that the president
Of the United States should visit France at this time when
there are momentous questions at home and when con-
Iress sits in one Of the most important sessions in it's his.
tary. To many it may seem much like a show, a person
ally conducted excursion with press agents and motion
picture operators and all the trappings Of a triumphal
entry. It makes no difference what we think: the presi-
dent is going to France, he is going to have much to say
in the preliminary conference, and he is going to do it all
because he has been urged by Great Britain and France
to do so.
There is no cause, though, to stir up political enmity
among the conferees. 1t will be the greatest peace confer
ence in the worlds history, and it will have to determine
many questions, questions that mean much for the future
peace and freedom Of peoples throughout the world.
The Allies have accepted President Wilson's principles
as a basis for discussing peace. They have not accepted
them as an absolute peace foundation; that would have
been foolshness. The Wilson principles will go into
crucible, where they will be moulded and shaped and
tempered so that they will serve the best interests of all
peoples. Some Of them may not come through.
But, as has been said, some writer's are over-em-
phasizing the Importance Of the presidents journey. The
managing editor Of The Baltimore Sun, for instance.
foresees considerable difficulty because, as he says in an
article he wrote after his return from France, the poll
ticians of England and France resent American domin-
ance at the peace conference. He predicts sharp clashes,
and quotes Balfour as saying that the peace conference
will be a rough and tumble affair.""
Not so the French and English politicians he
said, who smart under the obvious fact that, since Amer
lea set into this war game, America has held all the big
cards. Wilson has done all the dealing and they have
been following HIS Lead
This is the snliest kind Of talk! Wilson NAV have
done all the dealing, but Lloyd George and. Clemenceau
and safe under-the-table method Of communication. and
they dealt out hands that Germany could not cover.
The cable lines between this country and Europe were In
operation after America entered the war, and the British
and French premiers knew how to use them. And no
ono At all familiar with the diplomatic angles of the great
struggle thinks for a moment that Wilson answered Ger
manys peace pleas before words of advice and caution
and approval came over the cable lines.
So the politicians Of England and France have little
ference than she should. Her position will! not be SUI
the war!