Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-26
DRIFT INDICATES DOOM
OF BALANCE OF POWER
Closer Relations Between Peoples OF the
United States and Great Britain
Will Aid Solution Of Problem

pressed. Certain publicists Of Eng
land likewise are loath to abandon
the idea of psrpetuating the balance
Of power, and declare that only
complete disaster in the war. Some
go so far as to declare that the war
was practically decided before Amer
lea entered. because of the fact that
France and England were holding
firm. and had it not been for pre-
arranged treaties based upon the bal
ance of power the war would have
been lost long before America entered
the struggle. However. as I have in
dicated. this sentiment seems to be
the dying gasp of the old order.
Obstacles in France.
The case of France, should Premier
Clemenceau's views of things be per-
mitted to prevail. may offer some
obstacles to the general REIMBURSEMENT.
The league of nations has been in
dorsed by the premier of France. but.
being of the conservative school and
wholly keen in protecting France
along strictly nationalistic lines. his
views and those of President Wilson
may come into sharper conflict during
those days of the peace conference
when the representatives of all ma
lions get into the heart of this BUSH
ness of shaping up world affairs.
President Wilson in his speech in
Manchester said:
IF the future had nothing for us
but new attempt to keep the world
at right poise by balance Of power
terest. because she will join no COM
bination of powers which is not
combination of all of US. She is not
interested merely in the peace of
Europe. but in the peace Of the world.
Therefore it seems to me that in the
cntt bot t. -. -
something more delicate and difficult
than was ever attempted before has
to be accomplished-a genuine concert
of mind and of purpose"
Foicing the more nationaJistic view.
seemingly strictly his own, Premier
chamber of deputies declared:
France is in particularly difficult
position. 1t is the country nearest
Germany. America Is far away and
took time to come in. Great Britain re-
sponded Immediately to the call of Mr..
edging this. And during this time
we toiled, suffered, fought. Our men
were mown down, our towns and viii
lagos were destroyed. Every one
agrees in saying that this must not
begin again.
Faithful to Old System.
Inere IS an OLD system that seems
to be condemned today, but to which
I remain faithful at this moment
The nations were organizing their de-
lenses and were striving to have good
frontiers and ornaments and what is
called the balance of power. This
system now seems to be condemned,
but IL such a balance Of power had
preceded the war; if Great Britain,
America. France and Italy had agreed
to say that whoever attacked one of
them would be attacking the whole
world, this atrocious war would not
have taken place. This system of
alliance which do not renounce shall
be my guiding thought in the con-
ference"
In these two utterances London secs
differences OF views which must be rec
onciled II the broader principles Of
league OF nations are adopted. Even in
France there IL recognition Of the fact
that If the broader principles OF world
settlement are adopted tho apparently
strictly nationalistic views Of the French
premier must be modified to meet the
wishes of other nations.
In France, England and Italy men,
cries OF the tremendous burdens imposed
by great ornaments necessary to the
upholding of the balance Of power
theory have not been forgotten. As
between the two issues, and were the
people to decided the broader principles
heralded by America are favored.