Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-15
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ence of this country is sure to be large
in England and France.
And a prompt and uncompromising
rejection of Austrias appeal Will have
wholesome effect upon liberal opinion
in both those countries, where the lib
erals of all shades Of opinion have come
to look to Mr.. Wilson for guidance.
If Mr.. Wilson says we cannot sit down
at the counsel table with robbers who
still have the loot in their pockets, and
that in homely way is what Americas 8
diplomatic view of the situation works
out to be- the followers of Asquith and
Henderson in England will be estopped
from agitating over a lost opportunity to
end a war in which. so their argumen
runs, a military decision is impossible.
And the liberals of France and Italy
will be put in much the same position
as the followers of Asquith and Hender-
son In England
Therefore, we see here rather
franker dealing with the press than has
been usual when peace interchanges
were under way. The Administration
plainly does not want the country to
hesitate or withhold its opinion. 1t
wants the Austrian proposal rejected in
the popular mind as soon as made. And
therefore a quick formal reply may be
expected when the proposal is officially
presented.
VIII Help England and France
In the last analysis It will be England
and France which will reject or accept
the Austrian proposals. They are war
weary. 1t will be much harder for an
administration to tell the people of either
of those countries that this is no time
to meet around table with Austria
to talk peace. than it will be for Mr..
Wilson to give that word to this coun-
try. But Mr.. Wilson's influence and
example will make the problem of Mr..
Lloy6-George and Mr.. Clemenceau easier
than it otherwise would be.
The English situation Is complicated
by the coming parliamentary election
Mr.. Lloyd George will not wish to give
a handle to Mr.. Asquith and Mr.. Hen
derson by rejecting any opportunity
which gives even slight promise, of end
ing the war, while making the interests
of democracy safe But Mr.. Lloyd
George has always acted boldly and may
be expected to do so now.
In France the recent victories, the
promise of 100000 American troops
and the confident assertion of American
generals that they will win the war
next year must nave created d pbyCDOlOBy
favorable to the rejection of the Austrian
proposals.
Effect OF Rejection
In all of these countries regard for the
favor of America will be an important
factor. 1t is in vain that the Kaiser
offers peace TO Belgium. If the greater
Allies reject peace now Belgium must
also reject 1t. Belgium must have the
good will of England France and of
the United tates. in the years to come
In a similar way France must have
the friendship Of the United States dur
ing peace and reconstruction. And
though England is more independent
than the other Allies, England, too, val
ues our friendship.
An uncompromising and prompt rejec-
tion of the Austrian plan by this coun-
try will have powerful effect in all
the Allied capitals.
The first step In giving voice to this
country's answer will be made tomor-
row, when Senator Lodge, the ranking
Republican member of the Foreign Re-
lations Committee. will make a strong
address to the Senate rejecting the Aus
trian proposal Mr.. Lodges speech will
probably be made in pursuance OF the
Republican party's policy to take an ad-
vanced position on the war, but II will
have the effect Of assuring all Europe
enemies, allied and neutral---thet this