The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-05
An Injustice to M. Csmbon, or to
George Washington.

1t seems inconceivable that the
translator to whom We owe the Eng.
fish version Of JULES CAMBoN's ar.
t'cle, published on February 2 In tho
Recue Des Deus Mondes under tho
title German Errors Concerning the
United States" has done justice to
the distinguished administrator and
diplomat In the version Of those sell.
fences relating to the advice given to
his countrymen by WARRINGTON In
his Farewell Address which has been
presented to the American public by
the Associated Press. II the trans.
lator has faithfully followed NJ. CAN.
BoN's text, that gentleman has been
seriously misled as to the meaning O:
WAsHrNaror's words. The dispatches
from Paris represent NJ. CANNON as
asserting:
Germany had made the Same mis-
take concerning tho principles OF the
American foreign policy. which for
many years rested on wAsHINoroN's
Farewell Address, in which no advised
his countrymen to stay carefully out Of
alliances with European Powers.
But what WASHINGTON wanted was
TO gain time for his country 20 reach
the point where It would BE- the master
OF its future"
II this accurately records NJ. CAM
soN's opinion Of WAsHrNoroy's ad.
vice, 1t Is clear that he conceives that
solemn warning against foreign al
liances to have been mere political
expedient put forward because the
new nation had not yet come to It's
full strength and designed to he nban-
doned when, having attained the vigor
OF full development. the United States
possessed the power to impose its will
as 1t desired. This Is an unfair inter-
pretatio of the sincere purpose Of an
honorable patriot who put before all
other considerations the welfare of
the nation which. by the unselflsh de-
votion OF his courage and wisdom, he
had done more than any other mau
to create.
President wAsHIRoroN's advice
against ENHANCEMENT in foreign nf.
fairs was the reasoned conclusion of
a statesman Of rare good sense and
foresight, who spoke not for the mo.
ment, but, SO fur as lay within his
power. for all time. Not only did he
urge abstention from the concerns OF
Europe as a general policy. but he
likewise took into account the posi-.
bility of a situation in which de-
parture from this general course
might be not only justified but neces.
sary. These are the paragraphs Of
the Farewell Address in which WASH.
INGToN epitomlzed his warning:
1T Is our true policy to steer clear OF
permanent alliances with any portion Of
the foreign world, 50 far. i mean. a
we arc now at liberty to do It; for lei
mo not he understood as capable o,
| patronizing inndei!ty to existing en-.
gagemsnts. hold the maxim no les,
applicable to public than to private AZ
fairs that honesty Ii always tho bos'
policy. ! repeat, therefore. let those en-.
gaxements DO observed in their genuine
sense But. in my opinion, II Is un.
necessary and would DO unwiss to sa.
tend them.
Taking caro- always TO keep ourselves
| by suitable establishments on a re.
spectacle defensive posture. We ma,
safely trust to temporary alliances for
extraordinary emergencies"
These conclusions are supported IN
the Farewell Address by singularly
clear and complete argument notable
for the precedence 1t displays and fol
the energy OF Its tone. 1t constitutes
a document of enduring value; tho
breadth Of its authors view Is re
vealed in his advocacy Of Temporary
alliances for extraordinary emergen
cies," as well as in his condemnation
OF permanent alliances.
To attempt to reduce this orderly
and statesmanlike declaration o.