The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1919-01-04
The Problems Ahead

Under the above heading the able
editorial writer Of the Leadville
Herald Democrat comments:
For the first time In the history Of
the republic an American president
has stepped on English soil, In the
heart Of the tight little Isle, and II We
are to believe reports from Europe.
In the heart Of the people ~ we'll. 1t
is breaking . precedent, Just ~ .
Thousand precedents have been
broken since the war began. We need
not look on 1t with either astonish-
ment or wonder. The conditions
which made the presidents visit
such a simple matter as an expression
Of the closer relationship between
Britain and America have been es-
tablished long ago. For nearly two
years the naval forces Of the two
countries have been working together
In close harmony. And there 10 some
thing In this brotherhood Of the sea
that binds men together In the most
cordial feelings OF understanding.
Moreover, Americana and British
have been fighting side by side In
France, and this too has produced
community Of understanding among
the plain men Of the ranks that no
amount Of propaganda work can
disturb.
There is q common goal which the
best craftsmanship Of the world is
seeking, though that goal may be OBJ
scured by the clashings and inisun-s
derstandings Of selfish interests.
When the armistice was signed Mr..
Balfour said: "Our work and sacrifice
will be In vain II the two English
speaking people do not set out to
build temple Of humanity, that no
future generation will ever see
destroyed"
That Is the sentiment which ap-
pears to animate men who speak for
large and representative bodies Of
their fellows, and it will be strange
indeed II minor differences or even
intensified nationalistic sentiments.
some Of them artifcisliy cultivated,
would long stand In the way Of .
very deflmite understanding. In fact,
this idea Of an English-speaking
league has come to be quite accepta-
BILE In many quarters.
There 10 , school Of political
thought taking form and shape In this
country which advocates what prac-
tically amounts TO . complete With
drawal Of America from participation
in the details Of the European peace
settlement That American soldiers
should have to be sent to the Balkans,
to Siberia, to the uttermost parts Of
the earth is apparently repugnant to
those who would encourage this
strictly domestic idea.
1t is . question, however, whether
we could adopt this isolated policy
even IL we wished. When the
European war broke out there was n
similar argument put forth, and II
kept the United States neutral for
three years. The wrongs Of Belgium
were not Americas concern. 1t made
no difference whether France was In
vaded. The triumph Of the autocratic
ideal In Europe was nothing to u.s.
We lived and thrived by trade and
commerce, by buying and selling, by
.'minding our own business" as the
practical politicians told US.
And then all Of sudden the mar
row and provincial view cruinpled up
In the face Of facts. The best states
men of America saw that this coun-
try had to take part In the European
conflict. not to save France or Bel
GUM or the British empire, but to
save ourselves. We awakened to
realization of the fact that . Prus-
sianized Europe aud . weakened
Great Britain would spell disaster to
America.
Most Of the problems that confront
the peace conference are not what
are called nationalistic In character.
America, for instance, has much con-
cern with the future Of Russia. Boil
shevikism is the oversh Allowing issue
that confronts all Europe, and 1t has
found excellent soil In which to
sprout In the United States. The
Menace Of Prussian militarism is no
more, but the cost Of It's overthrow
was tremendous. 1t has torn up ira
ditions and institutions by the roots.
1t has blotted out nearly everything
worth while, and Europe Is prone
and exhausted. OF that exhaustion
Bolshevikism 10 the direct product.
1t has overwhelmed Russia, but 1t Ia
said that the conservative forces OF
Germany, backed by u disciplined
populace is resisting 1t. That may be