New-York tribune., 1919-01-31

u -lNusSla is lne HI4}cS great worry,
America their greatest hope,
Bolshevism and the general unrest Of
Europe being the predominating in
huences in the peace congress.
The Far Eastern question is
hardly less difficult Of solution
than the remaking Of Europe.
Changes have taken place with kalei-
doscopic rapidity since the armstcc
bat none is more profoundly interesting
and vital to the future of America
than the Anglo-French attitude toward
the United States.
Russia IS Big Problem
If Russia to-day were orderly, with a
stable government in control; if Ger
many had emerged from tie war in a
condition comparable to that Of France
in 1871 or Of the Southern States in
1865, then there would be probably a
much different atmosphere around the
Quai d'Orsay.
Russia is in a state Of chaos and
anarchy. The situation is so appalling
that the great powers could discover
no remedy except the Princes Islands
project, which amounts practically to
an abandonment Of Russia Germany
turned her face from the West TO the
East on November II last DR.. Muhlon,
lately director OF Krupp's, said re-
Gently: "Germany's problem can be
solved il 100000 Germans die, but
they won't die; they wil en- yratc to
Russia"
A far-sightcd British peer remarked
to me: "We closed the Berlin to- Bag
dad railway, but the door to the East
remains open"
Germany remains great unknown"
Foch beat her armies, but the German
spirit remains. The British and the
French see in the distance danger of
powerful combination in the East Ger
many Will try to organize Russia, be-
cause there she expects to find raw
materials and markets for her manu-
factured articles.
Look to America
The British feel that the future Of
the empire depends upon the strength
Of the understanding, alliance
or agreement call it wha yor will
which they will try to forr with
America The French extend their
hands to America with almost the same
enthusiasm with which they welcomed
her into the war. The French have re-
gained Alsacc- Lorraine and their self
confidence, but the victory cost a
heavy price.
European statesmen who were skep-
Of league Of nations now support it
Of q League Of Nations now support it
as measure OF security, because they
consider it the only scheme by which
America can be drawn out Of isolation.
VIII America accept the responsi-
bility? How far VIII President Wilson
90 and how far can he carry America
These questions are worrying and
puzzling those European powers with
colonial possessions.
Want United States to Expard
Great Britain and France are ready
to make large concessions and sacrifices
because they believe they VIII evontu-
ally gain something infinitely more inn
portant Clcmcnceau cares about tcr-
ri.orial expansion in 50 far as it al
fects the security Of France. Lloyd
George is moro Interested in the par
ticipatoa Of America in world affairs
than The disposition Ct the Gcman
colonies. European statesmen want
America to act as a mandatory power in
various parts Of the world in Africa,
the Near East and the Pacific They
want 10 sec tho Stars and Stripes nying
in many places.
Take the Far East. China demands
tnat Kiao-chau shal be returned t. her
as right and that her territorial in
tcgrrty be assured and foreign settle
ments removed. She also demands the
right to establish her own customs
The japanese say little, but they
have very definite views as to their
rights. New Zealand and Australia are
also firm in their demands.
All these claims arc bound to con-
Aict, and that is just nc reason why
European Statesmen arc keen to enlist
America as a mandatory power.
Russia Still Climax
Then there is The question of rcpara-
ton. Apparently Belgium is roing TO
have the first claim against Germany
for Decuniary compensation, with
France next. Great Britans claims
probably will be met by Germany s
handing over merchant ships. The total
bill against Germany will hc l.ryo. but
IT is probable that the smallei rations
viii be compensated at d proYol sioaatc-
ly higher rate than the great powers
who are looking az the settlement from
an international angle.
Not until the peace conference has
reached an agreement upon the qucs-
ton Of International participation in
the control Of country under man
date viii any marked progress be made
And then Russia remains.
NEy, - Gfr,,,nr ,,.<I