The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-02-07
HUNS MUST PROVE
FITNESS OALLIES
TO ENTER LEAGUE
Prominent English Statesmen.
Say Great Antagonist
Against AdmittanCe Of Ger
many Until She RepentS.
az WcroR

~ VIZ Oh W NH00F1A
LONDON, Feb. Z. Especial Corre-
spondence. w probably will elapse
from the time this is written before
anything like q really definite and final
program win emerge from the peace
conference. 1t may be Of interest,
therefore, TO quote the views o. q
leader Of conservative English opinion
A. H.. Mann, editor Of the London Eve
ming Standard. While not speaking In
an official way, Mr.. Mann probably
reflects the views OF such men as Ar
thur Balfour and Bonar Law. Likely
enough these opinions 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 luncheon
engagement for Mann and me. We
proceeded at once to inform each other
Of the public feeling in u respective
countries.
"You have seer how the English peo.
pie received President Wilson" said
Mann. There isn't a bit Of doubt
about his very great popularity here.
We W some fear, though, that IDEAL
ism that fits America so well 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 afterward, That
would not suit us at all. Germany Is
not repentant and still maintains that
her armies were not beaten. a pro-
posal that Germany should be admitted
at once into a league of nations would
arouse great "antagonism here"
While no n else can speak for the
president, ! Ventured to assure Mann
that Americans had no idea that Mr.,
Wilson would venture upon such a pro-
in America seems to favor admitting
Germany into a league Of nations only
after Germany has penitently proved
her fitness to belong, A long time
might elapse before this could come
about.
Mann outlined some OF the things
that conservative Englishmen hope to
Pay Big indemnity.
Germany should be made to pay a
big indemnity" he said, ian indemnity
that would require 50 years to liquidate.
In the meantime, Germany's war debt
should be made to wait. Perhaps 1t
would be repudiated. We don't care.
man manufactures. That Is to say,
the German government should tax
everything shipped put OF the country
and devote the proceeds to the indem-
nifty. This would mean a 10-hour day
for German workingmen, as against the
GlBlA-lOuI udg III Oll6T Gpulll 100 J.
suppose, but that would be a part of
the penalty that the German masses
would have to bear for supporting the
war.
France requires guarantees against
German aggression in the future, Ger
many should not be allowed to hold any
hridgeheads on the west side of the
Rhine. | think that all German terri
tory west Of the Rhine should be taken
and held by France for at least 10
years.
III Germans can not pacify them
selves and come to ONE agreement. |
believe that the allies should Intervene
in Germany. seize Berlin and set up
h stable government.
THE same thing goes for Russia, The
BolsheviSi are a menace to the world,
largely On account of the possibility
of their uniting with the German reds
and defying the civilized nations. We
should have armed Intervention In Rus
STA, to end only when a strong gov-
eminent has been organized,
w can not oppose conscriptton in
France, There is much talk OF dis
armament and universal brotherhood,
but ! believe In a powerful navy for
Britain and as strong a French army
as France wants, Germany might In
augurate some system of military
training which would enable her to or
gaplze a very effective army. nom
lnally Of volunteer forces for service
at some propitious time. Remember,
the spirit of revenge is going to be ram
pant in Germany for years to come,
France can not afford to take chances"
suggested to Mann that American
sentiment, or at least q certain por-
ton OF public opinion, tends to the be-
lief that the world will be safer II
Germany Is not given any valid grounds
for an internal propaganda Of revenge.
His own view, however, was that the
allies terms should be SO drastic that
military plans should be made In adj
vance to smother vengeful outbursts
that might be expected as a matter of
course.
The subject OF a big navy for Amer
bodings along that line" he said. 1.-The
ance the British navy will have in po-
Icing the world. We are not jealous.
Differences of opinion will arise be-
tween Britain and America In the flu
ture, Of course, but they will always
be composed amicably. l am sure that
America and Britain will always stand
shoulder TO shoulder when any big issue
arises"
40 what party does Premier Lloyd
George belong now?' Mann was asked.
1--WE have been urging him to head
a new center party was the reply,
"a strong, modern party, with progress
slve principles, up-to-date ideas and
plenty OF energy for the big problems
OF reconstruction. This party would be
neither tory nor radical. Just now We
a not tell how the political situation
will eventually resolve itself"