The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-05-16
LET AMERICANS GUIDE AMERICA.

idea that human liberty will not be safe unless the united
States enanges itself in European alliances The oppo
ston to the league of nations is based upon the sohd
structure of American independence and avoidance of en-
tanglements Hence this opposition makes itself mani
fest when an effort is actually made to embro the United
States in European and Asatic affairs. The stronger the
pressure to destroy the American attitude the greater Will
be the opposition to that effort.
Americans are extremely practical in their ideal
ISM They want plans that will work" whether IN the
saving of labor the abolition of war They are now
probing the plan of league of nations are are reach
ing their Independent individual conclusion that is not
practical or wise The suggestion that all the peace-ov-
ing nations should band together and give pledges not to
cut one another throats while excluding the real cut
hroats and exactng pledge from them does not com
mend itself to the good of many Americans why
bind France under fearful penalties to keep the peace
Why tie the United States under threat of universal war
if it dares to attack free nations? Why take pledge
from England to refrain from initiating Germany?
It is the assassin that should be bound not the victim
Tie Germany Tie the boshevh and all others that seek
to destroy their neghbors The sheep may huddle to
yethcr in league of peace and keep their vows with holy
EEL and yet the wolves may tear them to pieces The
eague of nations which does not take into account Ger
many and Russia and make the world safe against then
does not practically meet the situation.
Americans deeply desire the safety of France and arr
perfectly willing to fight to maintain the life of France
,gainst attack by Germany The wish in America IS t.
make German aggression impossible and if that canno
oe accomplished then Americans wish to make anothe
,ttack nothing but suicide to Germany They know
however, that America can best help France by remain
ng American under American control, instantly respon
live to American will They cannot see the virtue OF pac
ny Americas cooperation with France in the hands o
me gentlemen of various coors, coming from the end
If the earth, with their national interests first
leart and some of them possibly secretly DESTROYS o
Frances downfall.
America knows itself and its people know it. Foreign
,rs do not know America as abuandanty shown in th
cry matter The foreign world takes it for granted tina
he United States eager to join the league of nations
While Americans know very we'll that the Fundamental
hange called for be accomplished if at all, only at
ter tremendous struggle eliminating in the reconstruc
ion of the American government
How can France be made to feel safe? 1t is eviden
hat France does accept the league of nations as sut
cent assurance of American support President Wilson
as had to write letter to M. Cemenceau promising t.
o something more There is to be promise that tn
Jnted States will Immediately help France in case
mprovoked attack by Germany, if the nine gentlemen
arious colors do object If of them should favo
iemany he could prevent the United States from adin
Nranca He could hold the council a month or two dis
ussing the question whether not the attack was un
provoked, whether it not really act of defense
yhether France not really the aggressor whether
act there was war at all anything more than borde
quabble If the United States should impateny hrus
he council aside and rush to Frances SIDE the most so
mn compact in the world would be made scrap of paper
No! Let America be guided by Americans, Let tn
rec spirit and resolute heart of America be directed b
he clear American brain Let France be given assul
nee not by letter or by promise Ringing upon tn
vhm of nine different kinds of diplomats, but by join
esouton of the Congress of the United States approve
y the President and applauded by the American people
eclaring that if Germany should attack France the Unit
d States will regard it as an attack upon human bert
nd will deal with the situation in her own way.
Such declaration would become like the Monroe doC
rine part of the unwritten Constitution of the Unite
ates 1t would never be subject to qubbng false cor
trucon or foreign influence 1t would not be temporary
artisan or uncertain 1t would be the heart of Amerc
peaking to the heart of France. Germany would hea
nd take heed
Nothing else is needed No league of nations is neces
ary The United States would be this side of the AT
antic where she belongs except when liberty assa
d. and then she would be at the side of France where 81
3, would Washington Post.
Approval of the reorganization of the national guar