Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-06
NATIONS
FEAR WITHDRAWAL
Of j. S. SUPPORT
Reports From Embassies Re-
veal State of Affairs With
Some Alarm.
BYDAVIDLAwRENCE.

Germany's reluctance to sign the
protocol which the allies have sub
mitted is officially declared to be due
to the failure of the United States to
ratify the peace treaty. Frank L.
mission in Paris, has endeavored to
erase from the minds of the German
commissioners the notion that the
American Senate intends to do any
thing to aid Germany in avoiding her
obligations. Nevertheless, in execu-
tive quarters here there is an unlnis-
taxable evidence of regret that Ger
many should have had the opportunity
to get any comfort out of the delay
in the ratification of the peace treaty.
And while this only confirms the
statements made by President Will
mans were hoping America would
disassociate herself from her allies.
there are other-and much more Sc
Observation-Disclosures which are being
pointed out as possible result of the
delay in ratifying the. treaty.
Indeed, reports from our embassies
abroad and from other sources disclose
q state of affairs in Europe that has
given rise to grave concern here. Cen
trail Europe is represented as on the
verge of starvation. Poland, Bohemia,
Jugoslavia and the other countries
which were emancipated from the Ger
man yoke are experiencing throes of
birth Of such Serious character that I'M
less the neral and material aid of the
United States is forthcoming anarchy
may result where at least semblance
of law and order now prevails.
Fear Americas Withdrawal.
Fear that America will draw away
the hand of support which President
Wilson pledged have run up and down
the backs of statesmen. economists and
business men. The drop in the ex-
change rate on English pound sterling
and the depreciation in the price of the
franc and the mark as well as the slow
progress being made in the United
States in floating loans needed by for
eign governments are evidences of the
general condition Of unrest in which in
dence that America will still work out
a compromise and ratify the peace treaty
still prevails abroad. az does tina ballet
that the United States win virtually
underwrite civilization in the next few
years by close economic partnership in
the distribution Of the supplies and raw
materials. nseded to start world trade
going ana inddstties booming. 81
There is something. pathetic in the
way the ambassAdotsS and ministers
Of European Countries tnlk Of their
dependence on America. It is quite
Pdrafier TO Cner expressions IN the
days when the United States decided
to come to the aid Of the allies and
send an army overseas. Europe. IL
the truth be known, ia begs ing Amer
fca to come in quick while there. is
time to save the international struc-
ture. ::
France especially is hopeful that
the armies are demobiIized and there
IL really rery little physical force to
make Germany do the bidding of the
allies. Economic pressure alone.
meaning thereby a control of the
commodities, including food, that go
into Germany. can bring the Germans
to book. Indeed, that is what the
league of nations was created for. But
the Germans know full well that the
various commissions. especially the
|all-important reparations commission.
cannot begin to function until the
most powerful member of the asso-
ciated powers is represented.
Independent of Allies.
So long as the United States PLAYS
lone hand and sells her products to
Germany and makes her own deals
with German bankers and merchants
the Germans will be virtually inde-
of nations or the allies. For unless
there is cohesive partnership be-
tween the allies and the United States
on the one hand. the moral and physi-
cal power of the league of victors to
command from Germany obedience to
the provisions of the peace treaty it.
self is admittedly diminished If not
IMPAIRED.
! Whatever may be the merit Of the
objections that have been raised
certain provisions in the covenant OF
i the SleaEue. whether reservations can
cover all the objections raised or not
! the biggest fact in international af-
, fairs today is the need of a prompt
ratification Of the peace treaty. Eu.
ropean governments. would have very
little objection to some Of the reser-
vations proposed. Others could be
modified to avoid embarrassments
But foreign trade. international ex.
change and business generally is
| expected to receive big impetus the
! moment the treaty is ratified.
Europe is straining at the leash. Re.
! construction is not possible withou,
adequate funds. Until the part thai
America Is to play in world affairs
| is definitely known. reports indicate
F.! that European countries will remain
! in state of pitiful stagnation. The
| hope is that America will do some
! thing by Christmas. The answer car
| be found only in the American Senate
! There word is still awaited from the
) President as to the extent to which
he will compromise So the next move
| is a message from Mr.. Wilson during
| the coming week urging again the
! ratification of the peace treaty
/ Copyright 1919.)