New-York tribune., 1919-01-06
New York Tribune
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N|opyrlSht, I949, New York Tribune 1hcl
LONDON, Jan. 4.-There is no better
criterion of the Importance attached
here to the visit of President Wilson
than the fact that his journey, his aims
and his plans and methods occupy fal
more editorial space to-day than while
Mr.. Wilson was actually present in
England "The Manchester Guardian
surveys the whole field of the Presi-
dents visit in an editorial entitled
"America's Policy" 1t says:
"Perhaps we have hardly begun
really to get hold of the fulf' signif-
canoe of President Wilson's visit By
reason Of his position and his person
ality, the President has tremendous
force, but the force is one which could
not be effectively exercised at dis
tance. 1t could not be thrown rudely
INTO the scale in the negotiation Of
peace, rs it has been thrown into the
prosecution of the war. That is a
vastly more delicate and difficult,
though not less momentous, matter.
"Mr. Wilson's clear resolve was u be
inf1eXible, but just Because of this
1T was necessary that he should under
stand, as only by personal contact and
study he could understand, the condi-
tIons with which he had to deal. the
obstacles he must encounter, the preiu-
dlces and separate interests he might
have TO overcome. and, finally, above
all he would have to make I'D MS mind
at what point of the negotiations the
adjustment must end and his stand
made-the final stand for principle.
"Conciliator Was Needed"
Since his arrival in Europe the Pres
dent has been steadily engaged upon
TINS great task. In all this the Presi-
dent is not merely discharging a duty
10 ms own country, but he is confer
ring great benefit upon us and our
Allies. conciliator was needed. The
President has a supreme ADVANTAGE
Tor such a task as he has set, and he is
discharglng it with a tense energy and
resource as the spokesman of America.
He is not interested in Europe, except
as a whole; he will make no alliance.
except one which can be made to en-
orace Europe as a whole
"Ihe settlement he cnvisages is one
which will harmonic all confictinr in
terests, suborninating them to the gen
eral principle of an international union
OF cooperation. Union is strange doc
trine for the old diplomacy and diplo-
matists. Yet it is salutary and in
deed imperative, if VIC are to have a
new order in better world.
Perhaps we will realize its meaning
better if we try to apply the principle
TO the separate problems of the vari-
Gus states. Take our own case, and our
cherished fundamental doctrine Of
naval supremacy--a necessary doctrine
as long as there is nothing better to
take its place. America will have none
of it, except in relation to the world or
der She grudges us no security, and
lty for an island power, but, on the
other hand, she says the seas must be
open to all nations, must be free to
them to come and go as long as they
keep the peace and threaten no one.
It they break the peace, or threaten to
break it unjustly, then it is not for
one nation, but for 4 league of nations,
to resist and punish the offender.
Maintain what force you choose. or
may deem necessary for the protection
OF your Shores she says. but as to
supremacy why, if anybody is to be
supreme, should not America at least
be equal to the greatcst?
THAT is not to dctract from security.
1t Is in fact to double it.
Presidents Answer to France
"Or take the case Of France. She
seeks security in the old ways-fron-
tiers armaments, alliances. Very
we'll replies the President. Demand
these things, if you will, but in that
case you must secure and maintain
them by your own force, at whatever
expenditure and at whatever risk NAV
be involved Our alliance you can in
deed have, but only on condition that
1t is part of a general alliance of ma
tons. In that case you will find your
security in it,
"Or take the very similar case Of
Italy. She has lived generations under
the shadow of a dread OF Austria. Aus
tria has disappeared, but she sees :,
new state rising on the opposite shore
OF the Adratic. IT, too, she thinks
may grow formidable, and she must oc.
cupy all points of vantage in order ia
make sure that the menace does not
arise. She can, of course, do it; she is
strong enough. But at what cost! She
must forfeit the protection of the
league, which, if she becomes a mem
Der, would guarantee her not only
against this danger, but against ali
( similar dangers"
"Post" Approves Daniels Plan
Curiously enough, the conservative
morning Post" is as enthusiastic re-
garding American naval expansion as
the liberal "Guardian" 1t discusses
the Daniels programme as follows:
"lhe proposal of the United States
government, as announced by Secretar,
Daniels, to build more powerful navy
should be entirely welcome in this
country. Hitherto the task of enforc.
ing law and order upon the seas, the
destruction of piracy and the suppress.
sion OF the slave trade has been dis