El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-02-11

q, be assumed here that with modifica-
lions. the financial suggestions as TO
3 reparation and indemnity put forward
/ by ~ Stern in the French chamber
will be the basis accepted by the
I peace congress. one of II. stern s
{ plan is the occupation for many years
7 of territory. admittedly German ter
ritory, which it viii be the business Of
. the league Of nations eventually 10 re-
turn 10 its own blood br0thers-if Il
can. But it viii be q pity. the French
say, TO begin so great a work with the
certainty OF eventual dispute. Why
not let France keep the line Of the
Rhine and avoid argument
France Wants safety.
So much for the skepticism OF
France about Americas proposal
France does aot propose TO be put ia
a position where she finds herself IN
favorably placed TO receive another
onslaught due TO paper guarantees
that may or may not be promptly
hOnored. And IL is pointed out that
with the best viii In the world. across
the sea France must again sacrifice
the flower OF her manhood before
America could come 70 her aid. Few
countries IN the place OF France,
would be other than materialistic-
Englnud's Reservations.
The British point OF view is half
way between that Of America and
France. America asks nothing for
herself England wants a few things;
the colonies, for example, and no
talk about sea law. which she con-
siders herself competent to admin
lister IN the future as in the past. and,
above all no remarks about Ireland
These things aside, England would
perhaps in her present frame Of mind
20 further than the United States in
supporting a program for a league OF
h. an #aaHH
Liberal England recognizes in Wilson
a statesman advocating new order,
which would consolidate the world in
terests OF Britain, under an lnterna-
1ional guarantee.
Accordingly. as things stand now in
Paris, getting down 10 essentials and
disregarding all the maze OF detail.
France and America stand face TO
face in opposition. With all their
mutual esteem. with all French graft
tude 20 America and American love
for France, which are very real
things, the issue is Joined.
America For Inte-nationalism-
America stands FOR international
ism, II Wilson Is America France.
poor, bleeding. half ruined France. I
looks on all this as beautiful but
unattainable dream. and fears. n the
world goes chasing rainbows. IL viii
be inevitably France. and not Amer
lea OF Britain. who must pay the pen
atty in the next war.
And Britain. with the reservations
noted. Is with America. What will
be the outcome2 No man here knows. I
but my guess is that neither president /
Wilson nor VI. Clemerceau will be I
able to make much impression, each I
on the other, and that two factors viii I
operate forming the ultimate settle Z
ment-the attitude OF the people OF /
the United States in backing up or
refusing TO back up their president I
and the personal stand taken by David /
Lloyd George. The Welsh wizard. If 4
he throws the weight OF Britain. as
now seems likely. TO the side Of VIII
son, viii carry the league Of nations I
and all that il implies through the .
peace conference, against CIemenceau. J.
Copyright, 1919. by The Mcclure .
Newspaper Syndicate.