Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-02-06
(By Victor McNaught)

London. Jan. 2o.-(special Corre-
eiapse from the time this is written
before anything like a really definite
and final program will emerge from
the peace conference. 1t may be Of in
%terest, therefore, to quote. the views
opinion, Mr.. A. II. Mann, editor Of
the London Evening Standard. While
not speaking in an official way, Mr..
Mann probably reflects the views .of
such men as Arthur . Balfour and
Bonar Law. Likely enough these opin-
ion are undergoing a process of
moderation, but American readers
may at least gather from them, an
idea of the conservative outlook upon
peace.
A mutual friend arranged a lunch
me. We proceeded at once to inform
each other of the public feeling in
our respective countries.
You have seer how the English
people received President Wilson,"
said Mr.. Mann. There isn't a bit Of
here. We have some fear, though. that
idealism h a fits America so we'll may
not be altogether practical on this
side. For example, we hear talk Of a
plan to form a League of Nations
first, and then make peace terms af-
IcI w 1HdI "OulO " oOlS uS d.
all. Germany is not repentant, and
still maintains that, her armies were
not beaten. A proposal that Germany
should be admitted at once into a
League Of Nations would arouse great
antagonism here"
! president, I ventured to assure Mr..
Mann chat Americans had no idea
that MI. Wilson would venture upon
such a program as had been suggest
ed. Opinion in America seems to favor
admitting Germany into a League Of
Nations only after Germany has peni-
tently proved her fitness to belong. A
long time might elapse before this
could cople about.
Mr.. Mann outlined some of the
things that conservative Englishmen
hope to see come out of the peace
conference.
Germany should be made to pay a
big indemnify" he said, "an indemni-
ty that would. require fifty a to
liquidate. In the meantime, Germany's
war debt should be made to wait. Per-
haps it would be r~epudiated. We don't
care.
W. favor an export tax on Ger
German government should tax every
thing shipped out Of the country, and
devote the proceeds to the indemnity.
This would mean a ten-hour day for
German w%orkingmen. as against the
eight-hour day in other countries, I
suppose. but hat would be a part Of
the penalty that the German masses
/ would have to Dear for supporting the
war.
France requires guarantees against
German aggression in the future. Ger
many should not be allowed to hold
any bridgeheads on the west side of
the Rhine I hin that all German
territory west of the Rhine should be
taken and held by France for at least
ten years.
eff Germans cannot pacify them
believe that the allies should inter.
vene in Germany. seize Berlin. and
set up a stable government.
1.-THE same thing goes for Russia.
The Bolsheviks are a menace to the
world. largely on account of the pos
sibility Of their uniting with the Ger
man Reds n defying the civilized,
vention in Russia, to end only when a!
strong government has been organ
ICED.
I'VE cannot oppose CONSUMPTION in
France. There is much talk of dis
armament and universal brotherhood,
but / believe in a powerful navy for
Britain n as strong a French army
as France wants. Germany might in
augurate some system Of military
organize a very effective army, nomfn-
ally to volunteer forces, for service at
some propitious time. Remember. the
spirit OF revenge is going to he ram
pant in Germany for years to come.
France cannot afford to take chanc-
es."
1suggested to Mr.. Mann that Amer