New-York tribune., 1919-02-05
England Insistent
We Share Burden
Britain Declares That She
Can't Bear Great Cost of
Policing Dependencies
By Arthur S. Draper
Ne,o York Tribune
Special Cable Se,,,ice

Copyright 1919. New York Tribune Inc,
PARIS, Feb. 4.-When President viii
son returns to Washington I venture
to predict that one of his first stems
Will be to open campaign having for
its object the winning of American
popular approval of scheme under
which the United States will assume
the responsibility for the policing and
management of the Near East.
To date ! understand that the Ameri-
can representatives have resisted all
attempts TO get them to commit Amer
lca to an acceptance of mandate for
Armenia, Constantinople and Syria, but
the pressure is increasing daily and
the time Will soon come when America
must decide upon her future policy.
Great Britain wants America in the
Near East, and the native populations
are said to desire to come under the
protection and management of the
United States. British authorities saw
they are already overburdened with
responsibility and unless America
comes to its assistance the British
Empire cannot bear the cost of main
talnlng troops and reorganizing those
territories formerly held by the Turks.
They hold that the American ,plan for
preserving the peace of the world de-
pends largely upon Americas willing
ness to share responsibility.
Await Public's Verdict
The American delegates have met all
appeals of their British and French
associates with the plea that the Am
erican public is not prepared to embark
upon a European programme. But the
stage has been reached where that ar
gument fails to satisfy the practical
European mind. 1t is reasoned that
when America entered the war she
accepted responsibility which cannot
end with the signing of the treaty of
peace. They contend that the moral
and material arguments are so strong
that America cannot resist them.
Then there are the rivalries among
the Allies themselves and their differ
ences of opinion as to spheres of inf1u
ence. These differences are exceeding
ly sharp, but all the Allies would feel
satisfied if America took over disputed
territory
We must have mandate from the
American people" says the President
and his associates.
To Io.-a
and Orlando reply:
"We hope you will not delay getting
it,"
See Barriers Ahead
None of the Allied delegates seem
anxious to have America assume re-
sponsibility in the Pacific or even in
Africa, but all of them want the Am
erican flag flying in the Near East.
Some people here, however, believe
that tremendous amount of work
must be done by Mr.. Wilson before he
can get his countrymen to agree to the
acceptance of further foreign obliga-
tions, but they also believe that in
the American missionary organizations
working in Syria and Armenia he al
ready has a body favorably inclined
toward participation in Near Eastern
affairs.
In addition to the sentimental and
moral reasons advanced there will be
commercial and economic arguments
presented during the coming campaign.
The very fact that Mr. Wilson has not
Yet committed America to this prospect
shows that the whole colonial situation
is still unsettled. 1t is true that deci-
sions have been reached which give a
fair idea of the allocations, but the
final settlement is delayed until the
decision of the American people is
known.
Proof of both of these points is
found in the violent protests of Pre-
mier Hughes of Australia and mis- dec
laration that he will continue 10 fight
think it is fair assumption that Mr..
Wilson has agreed with Premiers Lloyd
George and Clemenceau. but that he
is not at all certain of American opin-
ion on this point He is certain to
attempt to convert America