The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-06-07
MANNING TALKS
OF EUROPE
Interesting Interview Giving
Former Governors impress
sions Of Conditions Abroad
GOOD CHEER FOR
COTTON FARMERS

~ ssxs ASss SSS6 ~AA - - - -
Need of Clothing and Next to
Food Their First Concern
{By Walter Duncan.)
sssI return home a prouder, a better
and more enthusiastic American
than when I went to Europe
Former Governor Richard I. Mau-
ming so stated. when accompanied by
Mrs. Manning, he stepped from the
train at Sumter on his return to South
Carolina yesterday.
The former chief executive, appoint
sed a delegate to the peace conference
representing the, League to Enforce
Peace, brings back to America after
weeks spent in France and England
some clear and forceful impressions
Z OF the world situation as it has beer
left IN the wake of the greatest wal
in human history. In Europe. he has
made close study of the situation
ard the enormous economic and po.
g Iitica1 problems arising out of it as
he has watched the great actors in
their tremendous work at Versailles
5 With these he-has been in close touch
oaicially and as a distinguished guest
3 in Europe.
According to Mr. Nanning's view
and the same view is shared, he de-
clares, by those who are watching
from even more advantageous posi-
O.. eior f1a
treaty when all the efforts of her
semissaries to. secure a modification of
the terms have. been exhausted and it
finally becomes apparent to them that
they have no alternative.
- resident Wilson, according to the
sestirnony Of one who has during the
Z past few weeks Travelled over a large
part OF France and who has visited
England. IS regarded by the people of
Europe as the exponent Of their hopes,
feeling that the great American presi-
dent can do more and has done more
3 TO bring about a realization Of these
than any OF their own leaders, and
that It has been woodrow Wilson. who
has put new ideas into the minds and
hearts OF the people of the world and
given them courage to look with con-
ddence and courage to future Of
peace.
stance sEe League of Nations, the
former governor believes. will form
the foundation for the worlds Magma
SGharta. and when it is perfected and
Becomes operative will prove shistory's
greatest instrument and agency for
human liberty, to guarantee the rights
Sof man and for the security of peace.
- As the League of Nations and its
adoption is President Wilson's work
and his own contribution, the Amer
nan president is the controlling factor
at the peace conference. Mr.. Man
nsng has been able to see with what
magnificent success President Wilson.
who clearly perceives what the world
needs in this crisis. has forced the
adoption Of some of his forward ideas
upon his associates. That he has done
so, says Mr.. Manning. has been the
salvation of more than one European
country. Except for the conversion
Of the other members of the big four
to his views regarding matters of the
deepest import involved in the set
tlen1ent with defeated Germany
some of these countries would find
themselves at war with Germany
again in a few years. France, for
B instance, would have taken over the
whole of the Saare Valley and Great
ed another Alsace-Lorraine. which
other war as soon as Germany could
recuperate sufficiently to provoke it.
The world is undoubtedly bare OF
cotton, declared Mr.. Manning, turn
ing to the situation as it directly af-
fleets the agricultural interests of
South Carolina and this section. Cot
ton and cotton goods are needed in
Europe second only to food.
There is urgent need for every bit
all that we are going to raise.
- Mr. Manning then spoke of the de-
plorable financial condition Of Eu-
rope. citing the fact that the mark,
normally worth 90 cents. is down to
a IA cents, and the franc. the Va de
@of which was about the same as the
mark, is now worth only about 16
cents. This, he pointed out. is reces-
sarily going to be big factor which
1nnst~ be considered in connection
with marketing cotton in Europe.
81 am not in favor of further gov
eminent loans" he said, ''and I real
ize that corporations must be formed
and cre6it extended on larger scale
than heretofore. Therefore. while all
cotton will ultimately be taken we
will have to exercise patience and
Judgment in feeding it to Europe. This
must be done slowly and gradually.
If we undertake to feed it fast the
market will be slutted and disaster
win follow"
The depreciation in European cur
rency, the former governor pointed
o91t. makes the cost Of cotton to the