New-York tribune., 1919-05-26

on her rather than on any other of orr
enemies, however terrible the financial
losses she may have already suffered owing
to her own folly and British self-seeking
we must also not forget that she has COM
paratively large colonial possessions, and
that, should circumstances arise ENGLAND
could hold on to these with impunity if we
do not help ourselves to them
2-Belgiun.
On Belgium, on the acquisition of which
SO much Of the best German blood has been
shed, we must keep firm hold, from the
political, military and economic stand
points, despite any arguments which may
be urged to the contrary. On no point are
the masses more united for without the
slightest possible doubt they consider it
matter Of honor to hold on to Belgium.
From the political and military stand
points it Is obvious that, were this not
done, Belgium would be neither more nor
less than basis from which England could
attack and most dangerously menace Ger
mapy; In short, a shield behind which our
Toes would again assemble against us. Eco
nomlcally, Belgium means a prodigious in
crease of power to US
In time, also, she may entail consid-
cradle addition to our, nation if in course
OF time the Flemish element, which is so
closely allied to US, becomes emancipated
from the artificial grip of French culture
and remembers its Teutonic affinities.
AS to the problems which we shall have
to solve once we possess Belgium. we
uC1,1d 1o1 ~
being allowed no political influence In the
empire, and on the necessity for transfer
ring from anti-German to German hands
the leading business enterprises and prom
critics in the districts to be ceded bv
France.
3-Russio
The manifesto speaks of the growing Rus
sian peril, and says that the occupied
part of Russia should become rich agri
cultural country, where the surplus Ger
man population and the refugees who
have found an asylum in Germany will
be settled. 1t proceeds
Russia is rich in territory that she
Will be able to pay indemnity in kind by
giving lands, but lands without landlords.
Peace with Russia which would not dimin-
ish Russian power and increase German
territory would surely lead to renewal
of the war.
4-Englafd
Once the Russians are driven back be-
yond their new frontier we shall not FORGET
the war which England has made on the
maritime and colonial commerce OF Ger
many That must be the guide of our ac
ton. We must supplant the world trade
of Great Britain. By her blockade of Ger
many England has instructed US in the art
of being European power militarily and
lndustrially Independent of others. We
must Immediately seek to create for our-
selves apart from the empire of the seas.
a Continental commercial enceinte as ex-
tensive as possible. Our friends Austria
Hungary and Turkey will open to us the
Balkans and Asia Minor, and thus we shall
assure ourselves of the Persian Gulf
against the pretensions of Russia and
Great Britain. We must also sign as
speedily as possible commercial treaties
with our close political friends. Then we
shall devote our attention to recovering
our overseas commerce. Our old CONNER
cial and maritime treaties must be re-
newed, and everywhere must obtain the
same treatment as Great Britain.
Sd Colonial Empire
g. In Africa we must reconstitute our
colonial empire. Central Africa ia only a