The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-07-26
j our Gone Popularity.

A
| w. Y. Morgan editor of the Hutch
inson News, who is in Y. NJ c. A.
work in France, wrote most interest.
ingly for his paper, under date OF
June IA, as follows:
| One of the weaknesses of Ameri-
cans is a desire to be popular. | am
| not conceding that we are much
worse on this point than some other
folks, but the trait sticks out very
prominently in our character. | am
quite sure that as many Americans
think OF the sacrifice Of life and the
great expenditure of money in the
last two years they console themselv-
es with the thought that Europe and
the world must be greatly impressed
and that the Allies and associates
must say God Bless the Americans
every night before they go to sleep
AS matter of fact while the big
appropriations and loans and our fine
army are very evident TO these
friends OF ours, they are apt to think
that we have only spentsan unneeded
trifle OF our wealth and to regard our
army as present burden to them.
have seen in the last eight months
American popularity go down In
Europe without apparent cause, but
down for sure. Our large loans and
gifts which enabled the Allies to
equip their armies are not exactly for
gotten, but they are accepted as d
matter of small concern, just as the
American towns which received IL
braries and fine buildings from Car
nege, never felt any personal graft
tude TO Andrew The public felt that
Carnegie was merely getting rid of a
surplus which he had never earned
and passed resolutions of thanks to
him and then wondered what he
would do with the rest Europe has
an idea that the United States is rich
without labor and while the govern.
ments Of the countries to which We
loaned or donated millions and bill
lions Of dollars, sent handsomely
written letters of thanks, the people
took the money as if they had found
1t and spent 1t without thought
that 1t meant taxes to poor people in
America.
| do not know for sure the reasons
why we have become only negatively
popular or oven unpopular Probably
the long delay in the peace negotia-
tons, which are usually laid at our
door because Of our insistence on in
Guiding other matters. has had bad
effect Tho plan common people of
Europe wanted quick peace and a
return TO business. Even yet in
France military regulations and con
troll prevent resumption of general
industry. You have no idea how the
people OF Europe yearncd for final
treaty all the winter and spring-and
now into the summer. The censor
ship prevented their learning what
was going on. Apparently the four
big nations were arranging for the
government of the little nations Our
small allies were not consulted, and
you know how that makes people
feel, even il in the end they get all
they deserve.
Belgium is sore because she will get
nothing cut of the war except partial
financial reimbursement for ruinef
cities and devastated country. Bell
GUM wanted Brussels to be the seat
of government for the League of Ma
lions. The big -Four" gave the plum
to Switzerland. Belgium had suffer
ed and bled while Switzerland had,
played safe. The Allies had been en-
thusiastic over Belgium until they
had something to give out that BEL
quinn wanted-better than a state
fair Then the Allies forgot nttle
Belgium. ,. Il
That is the way the Belgians
looked at the case land while they are
still grateful to the United States for
-four and clothes they can't under
stand our desertion Of their cause.
France was saved by the American
army and by American financial help.
France has protited on supplies and
and taken side profits
from the purchases by American sol
diers. In fact, our army has been
the only crop France has harvested
for several years, But the poor peo-
pie lay the high prices to us, thel
business and upper classes are tired
of seeing us on the streets, and that
great glow OF determination which
felt last fall has cooled down to a 1
wild desire to say goodbye" and not
Eau revoir."
Great Britain's government is most
friendly and the British, who don't
care anything for the League of Ma.
tons, are depending on an Anglo. |
Saxon alliance to rule the world But
Great Britain has hard problems, in
and political, and does not
wish Americans to even visit England |
On their way home
The Italians are really mad be4
cause of the American attitude tow
ard Fiume, which they had been
promised by France and England and
even refused by the United States.
No money loans or further conces-
sions will square us with this gener-
alton OF the Its.
The mess Of Poles, Czechs, Sloyaks