The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-30
What Grey Can Report.

Lord Grey will hardly tell the Eu-
ropean peoples that the same nation
which showed her unselflshness IN the
great war now would be guilty Of sell
fishness in seeking to associate her
self entirely from the Frustrated l1u-
ropean countries and thus seek to I'M
pose added burdens on the peoples who
bore the brunt Of the war for human
freedom.
Lord Grey will hardly confirm the
charges Of so many people In this coun-
try that Senator Lodge has been seek
ing partisan advantage alone in his
keen battle with the president.
But, unquestionably, he will tell Eu-
rope abouC the unique character OF the
American form of government, when
makes the legislative branch OF the
government independent Of the eXecu-
tive. so that the country might haVe
one party in congress and another party
in the White House.
And he win be able to trace for the
benefit Of European people. who. are
accustomed to the parliamentary form
of government and an executive re-
sponsible to the legislature, the grow
ing tendency on the part of the eX.
ecutive, from the days of Roosevelt
on, to proceed Independently Of the
other branches of the government
What Observers See.
He will be able to describe the rea-
sons for Americas hesitation to en-
ter into a binding contract for par
ticipation in European affairs with
out knowing first exactly what the
commitments are going to be.
Summer up, European observers,
including the ambassadors and writer's,
who have been making study of the
American treaty controversy see IL
possible to boil all the reservations
down to a single resolution, namely,
IN, "A l.
ant an instrument as the covenant OF
the league of nations, the president OF
the United States shall not have the
power to commit the United States To
any obligation-moral political, ply
steal, legal or material--unless the con
sent of congress Is first given,
Such an assurance is not necessary
| in Europe, for the moment the premier
or prime minister adopts policy tina,
| is not to the liking of the parliament
or national legislature, he can be GUST
| ed by simple vote of lack OF conf
| dence, and, If he doubts the validity
| of that vote, he can appeal to the peo'
| pie in a general election wherein the
verdict can be affirmed or reversed
| and ministry continued or turned GU
| of power
Situation to Face.
| Some day America may modernizt
| AoA
| ter check on the executive and like
wise for a better opportunity to turf
| out of office senate or house tina
sets itself up to defy the wishes o
| public opinion.
| But, for the present, Europe mus
| deal with the practical situation, and
| undoubtedly, the most important re
suit of Lord Grey's mission will be t
| bring about better relations, not onl.
between the United States and Grea
Britain, but between this country ant
Europe by urging consideration for tn
special situation in which America
finds herself
There is the pleasantest and mos
cordial feeling between Viscount Gre
and President Wilson, even though tn
latter has not found 1t possible to re
ceive the distinguished visitor
When Lord Grey arrived and foun
Mr.. Wilson had been broken dow
to the White House advising tn
president not to trouble himself abou
receiving the credentials of the BIRTHS
ambassador. Indeed, when he foun
that he could see the secretary G
state and conduct his business ther
without regard to the technical handi
cap of not being officially received
the whole question was dismissed fror
Lord Grey's mind,
| It is on the other hand, we'll know
that the president would have liked t
renew his acquaintance with Lord Grey
but to do so meant possible slight t
the five or six other ambassadors an
ministers from other countries, VIII
might feel offended, unless Mr., Wilso
saw them too, and his physicians wi
not yet permit him to go through tn
ceremonious ordeal of receiving foreig
diplomats.
So Lord Grey fully understands tn
situation and carries away with hir
only the highest feelings of admira
ton and respect for the president HI
mission has been unfulfilled in on
sense only--he has not discussed ques
lions sure to arise out of the operatio
of the peace treaty But he has OK
tanned closeup view of America
politics and the American attitude, an
, he goes away confident that the Unite
States win ultimately be found at ii
side of her allies helping In the In
J mense job Of trying to reconstruct
war-torn world,
Copyright, 1919, by David Lawrence
ystn IL tl,h al, x,tft