Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-12
American Public Opinion
viii Play Big Part in
Readjustment
NEW QUESTIONS ARISING
Republican Success at Polls
Disappoints Some u. S.
Citizens in Europe
BY CHARLES II. CRASTY
special Gable to Epening Public Ledger


con~tohi 1918. bv Neu York Times Co.
Paris. Nov 10.
Early comment based on the most
neager reports Of the election results in
the United States appearing In the morn
ing papers and indicating Republican
'uccess reflected almost universal dis
appointment Among Americans here The
widespread belief had been that the
American voters would not take any
chances Of weakening American in
luence at the present delicate stage of
transition from war to peace.
I'VE must always remember, how
ever said one old timer. that there
are more Republicans than Democrats
In America II is hard for Democrats
to win except when the Republican
party is split. That is one reason for
the result, but 1t will be hard to ex-
plain 70 Europe in view of President
Wilson's appeal to the country for sup
port and the counter-attack by the
Republicans under Roosevelts leader
ship. President Wilson's influence cam
not fail TO be temporarily weakened in
the Allied councils.
Among the explanations Of the result
was that America was so surcharged
with the war spirit that the people were
unsympathetic with Wilson's negotiation
with Berlin Recent arrivals from Amer
lea report the war feeling running higher
there than in Europe and express sur
prise at not finding the same kind OF
white heat existing here. One editor,
famous for his strong pro-War editorials
and now seeing Europe for the hrst time
since the war began. expressed surprise
at the contrast and his views have be-
come much more moderate.
"Indeed. I know of no responsible
American outside our fighting men at
the front--moSt Of whom not only want
to go to Berlin, but want to hurry up
about it and finish the whole job by
Christmas--who is in full accord win
the on to Berlin spirit said to prevail
in America
one wel-informed American who is
prominently identified with activities
here said:
"The United States has been able 10
render the service she has i'll TINS war
because of her capacity fer being IN
dead earnest about anything she under
takes Something like obsession Is
needed TO wage a war successfully. You
can't be academic or philosophical aoou'
H. But a time must shortly come wher
American public opinion must turn &c
new phases In order that ii may bt
helpful opinion, It must be an informed
and honest opinion. There must be ar
open forum for discussion In terms OF
reason without fear lest every expression
in tones of moderation be tagged a.
pro-Germanism
with Gcrmatys unconditional sur
render thoroughly guaranteed, new
questions will arise to the solution o
which the United States can make great
er contributions than any other country
If in 1871 Germany had had such Al
associate standing in the same rela
tiCnShip as we do now to the Europeai
Allies she might have avoided the ex
cesses which led to the present wa
aud her own undoing and destruction
THE hour has not yet arrived for re
| taxation or perhaps, even for modera
tion, but there should be no atmospher
| cf mental servitude in which free ant
/ frank discussion will he pcnalized
| without such discussion public opinion
cannot be properly prepared for the par
America should play in the vast read
| iustment through which Europe mus
pass If the goal OF enduring peace /
| to be reached"