Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-04
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.
stan Correspondent of The Star.

B1 OLIVER OWEN kUHN
stan Correspondent of The Star.
PARIS, February 4.-"If we are to
continue under the mandatory power
of any nation. let that nation be the
United States"
This, in substance, is the purport OF
messages which already have reached
certain high authorities at the peace
conference from many sections, nota-
bly, the districts falling within the
Turkish empire.
throughout Europe and Asiatic dis
tricts as well an overwhelming popu-
lar trust in the disinterestedness of
America in the settlement of the
worlds problems is made manifest by
such messages. More and more diff
cult members of the American delega-
tion find it to refrain from commit
ting themselves officially and formally
as to what the United States will
or will not do in settlement of the
question as to what part We shall play
in Worldwide affairs
All Turn to America.
II is Increasingly apparent that Eu-
ropean, and even Asiatic, territories
are looking to America for leading
part, not only in the settlement of is
sues before the conference along the
bfoadest. fair-minded and just lines.
but that active participation in the
govsfnfnent and rehabilitation of GER
tain sections sse< the old world is de-
rnanded everywhere.
Americas principles. they say, are
the salvation OF all peoples
Americas dfsinterested entry in the
war and the pouring out of her mil
lions for righteous principles have in
stille4 In the minds Of peoples every
where that America never win be
dominated by motives inspired by ter.
ritoFfzl greediness and that in bring.
ing dependent territories to state of
seh-re1fanee America can be trusted to.
upon whom they might become de-
pendent, even temporarily. would not
do 50.
s4Americanism'' the Watchword.
sAnsricasisas IL the watehword
and cry throughout Europe. With this
fee1fng prevafffug AmeFfcy rs in Eu-l
rope are lo4th to say America shall
AS aes,.s g fo sns nsf th.p fssssssa sersa
shah refuse tozgrant material aid to
those conntfies who beseecf American
guidance Enlightenment to all others.
But thu sGmerfc1n delegation is still
dfafAc1iaA to believe that they have
tu.NAtte from the American people
to s<p<tion any dehnite steps toward
fakitk over large portions Of the
WoT3dss aurface to administer to IL,
thereby committigg America to
broad international policy similar to
that Of Great Britain.
-Can United States Shrink
The question arises. TT these peo-
pies trust US can we shrink behind
policy of Isolation, behind our own
territeriA1 limits and permit the rest
Of the world to go its own way after
we have stepped into the arena and
.astes The peoples OF the world trust
That the United States Is to be the
backkape of the league Of nations no
one doubts. not even the people of
France and England. and the question
s.isss As to ss whethsr the United
decieions Of such a league
II # does 1t isl argued that America
undoubtedly will be arbitrarily as
signed by such league to certain dis
trscts over which TO preside. Then 1t
would not be In the province of a
peace commission to decide.
Can We Refuse Leagues Taskse
Can Amerfce refuse such tasks as
signed by the league. thereby proving
q. epirit Of self1shness and at the same
time q desire to shirk responsibilities
TO tbs people of the woridy'
1T she does. then does she not re-
pudiats the very fundamentals Of the
leaxne |of nationsy
These questions are being asked in
Paris
have discussed the question
broadly with many of the highest
officials at the peace conference
The general sentiment Is that the
American people in the final analysis
viii not only heed the pleas of the
peoples who wish to advance under
American tutelage. but there will be
disposition on the part of the Amer
Jean people to take the leading role,
not only In the league ITSELF but in
general uplift movements.
q. 8. influence Most Potent.
IN all deliberations at the peace CON
4ersncs American influence was never
more potent than today. Naturally
many nations, large and small, are
looking 10 American guidance in the
seftlement of the problems confront
I'd on the broad lines of the Wilson
fourteen points, but these nations
are taking the stand for themselves
that America should continue to be
the guiding light and chief apostle
of broad. Human policies necessary in
removing wars grim scars.
Councils Commissions
Hold Their Initial Meetings;
Secretary Lansing Honored
PARIS. February 3-The commission
Or ports, waterways and railways held
its drst meeting today. The meeting
was called by NJ. Chayelle. French min
ister of f,lihIfe works SiRnor (,rixr,i "a q