Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-12
BALKY HORSES IN THE WORLDS TEAM

TNO UNDERSTAND the hubbub raised at
Paris by the suddenly stiff-necked atti-
tudes of France and Japan. II Is necessary
TO remember first Of all that economic con-
siderations rather than pride or patriotism
are now actuating most of the delegates at
the Peace Conference.
Japan and France--or rather the short
sighted fnanciers and traders OF Japan and
France-have much to gain IL they are
permitted to have their way. 1t may be
assumed that the tension existing in diplo-
matte quarters everywhere has served to
exaggerate the Importance of the Japanese
scare in Russia and the French break from
the peaceful routine of the conference on
the German issue. But 1t Is apparent that
the peace negotiations are at dangerous
crisis.
In France and in the rest Of Europe
there is a continuing fear Of Germany. 1t
isn't founded on any absurd delusions in
volving fear of HlndenburG and a new
German army. 1t is a dread of the Ger.
many Of the future.
A new and powerful republic is likely to
rise out of the present chaos in the Ger.
man States and in Austria. Europe isn't
viewing the economic possibilities of such
a new State with equanimity.
The Entente nations have held that the
Germans ought to be crushed by the with
drawal of their coal lands and other re-
sources and by the infiction of heavy
indemnities. But it is questionable
whether the Germans can be rendered per-
manently helpless by this method. The
saner view Is that the final peace should
be so drawn that all indictments to war
| would be removed in Germany as we'll as
| in the rest of the world.
The political complexion of the newer
! Germany is promising. 1t l. dominated by
| Social Democrats and Moderate Socialists.
The French diplomat!sts hold that even
they cannot be trusted, and have bitterly
opposed President Wilson because they
| desire TO keep Germany impoverished
| partly for safety and partly for the ad'
vantage Of their industries. The President
has held that this is the surest and short
est path to another war.
The case of Japan in Russia is not sc
easily analyzed. The Russian confusion
is the dominating factor in this newest
complication. Russia is wide open to any
exploiter, any adventurer in diplomacy oil
finance who can muster a vast military
force in support Of his enterprises.
Do the japanese hope to win on vas,
gamble while the rest Of civilization is
tired and occupied with other affairs? il
is known that Japanese financiers have
been planting great hopes in Siberia. They
have already established bank there anC
the machinery for commercial expansion
1t Is hardly conceivable that the Japanes.
statesmen with powerful peace party a
home would attempt an adventure so peril
Gus as that which would be necessary II
houting the principles Of the league o
nations and inviting the suspicion and en-
nifty of the world.
Japan has the example Of Germany L
guide her now. 1t is inconceivable tina
she hasn't learned the lesson OF the times
And therefore 1t will be better to wait be
fore forming any judgments until the Japa
nese nave had time to explain the natur
of their course in China and Siberia-esps
cially those secret treaties!