Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-05
by FRSNk n. srMONDs.

Copyright, 1919. The Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.}
PARIS. January 29.-There is ques-
tion tnat was asked many times before
left America which finds an answer In
be realized at home. What, after all, IL
America doing In Europe. In France, a,
the present time? What is her role as
it actually reveals itself on the spot?
The answer II as simple as IL Il. .sur.
|prfsin4 Al the sssst hnuf Anserics
ie playing gzsAks ksf role at Fanxiass Ross
|sseFs4 mare infnence and enc0Npferl
lls puait ait5caliy sbkl6S ii
Fieaat, than did Bismarck at the congress-
81 Berlin. No nation. not even Russia
was so powerful at Vienna q centuf,
|ago.
This astonishing t1eyelopment-and II
is astonishing for a nation which in all
but some few years Of its existence has
steadily avoided intermixture In Euro
pean affairs is in the main the result
OF accident rather than Of designs. Not
foreseen when he left Washington ex-
actiy what place America was to hold
Rot alone In the peace conferences. but
hencefofth In the world
Among the great powers which have
fought Germany America alone emerges
fresh, with her resources increased
rather than diminished
American Policy Unselfish.
The physical losses of France have
been stupendous. British material and
human sacrifices have been enormous
and the blow to British morale has
been perhaps even greater 1t was
almost inevitable that when America
came to Europe her immediate and.
far more, he eventual strength should
give her a dominating position. And
it has happened. America is seeking
to impress no selfish policy upon the
world. The truest criticism of the
American purpose is that her IDEAL
perilous to her friends and of advan-
tage to the enemy. Yet were Ameri-
cas- policy and purposes selfish there
still would be lacking force and en-
ergy to oppose them, and again I am
thinking of political rather than eco
nofnfc policies. In curtously COM
plex degree France, Britain and Italy
have accepted the fact that war has
not made America a world power, but
the greatest of world powers. and the
people of Europe, perhaps even more
than their statesmen. have accepted
American leadership. No head of any
European government, save on one or
two questions of life and death, would
venture to takesissue with the United
States, and l doubt IL even then he
would survive the shock.
But the consequences of our new
and unexpected position must not es-
cape the American people. The ma
tions which have almost tacit1y ac-
cepted the new American influence
have also equally tacitly agreed that
with power must go responsibility. If
we insist upon.putting new ideas and
new principles into practice we must
take our share of the burdens which
from Constantinople to the Orange
river and from the Atlantic to the
Persian gulf confront the peacemak-
ers. The familiar American idea is
that as soon as possible after our job
is done. we should recall our troops
and return to our old isolation. This
view is held by not few Americans.
in Paris, but it is not the European.
idea, nor do believe the thing will be
possible.
Rather. there are multiplying evil
dences that when we broke with our
past to enter this war we broke with
it not for year, not for the period
of the war, but forever.
Treaty American Document,
1t is essential to recognize that
through the logic of events America
will have more to do with the shaping
of the treaty of peace than any other
nation. Mr.. Wilson has accepted for
his country mission which perhaps
the nation. itself could not have es-
capped In any event. But he has done
more than accept. He has embraced
The treaty of Paris will
be an American document, to the ex-
tent which no American not now in
Europe yet suspects.
But at every point this document
will combine practical obligations
with experimental idea1ism. We may
see our influence. powerfully seconded
by the best and most enlightened
minds in. Europe, erect a league Of
nations. establish new states ana Tree
enslaved nations: but to preserve this
structure will be a task only siEhfly
perceived at home as yet, altnough
daily becoming clearer here.
Whatever form 1t takes IN words.
the league OF nations with be In fact
for jts opening years, perhaps forever,
an alliance between Great 6rltAfn,a
France and thA United STATES to
which other nations will join them