The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-07-26

Serbs, Magyars and so forth, is all
Peace Conference, rather of the four
powers which controlled it. Their
claims were conflicting and nobody
got all he thought was coming. And
very few of them believe in our theo-
ry of disinterested action. In fact,
the United States in the Peace Con-
ference. has had to back up on sever
al of the points which it proclaimed
on entering the war, and good man
like Uncle Sam has only to do that
few times in order to get the sus-
picious skepties to believing he was
hypocrite all the time.
Japan is not for us but worked us
to a finish and China paid the price,
losing thus much of the confidence
which the Chinese have felt for 20
years in the friendship Of the United
States.
The small states of Europe which
are being affected by the proposed
regulations under a League of Ma
tons which they had no voice in or
gahizing, are not a bit in the way of
thinking that we are doing all this
unseifshly. They are like the peo-
pic of a town would be if the three
wealthiest citizens decided to change
fthe government for the benefit OF
the people"
When President Wilson first came
TO Europe he was fed on ovations at
all hours of the day and night. Now
he is never cheered or applauded.
Tho peace conference is not popular
in France because 1t has been slow
and because it has conducted its
business in secret. The newspapers
are censored. their best news often
marked out just before press time,
aud you can imagine how thcy feel
slOou' It, OF course President Wilson
and tho United States are not TO
blame but the French people expect
OIL the Americans to champion free
speech and open diplomacy. and do
not understand that We can do these
things and he true to our original
tall.
No longer do European bands play
''Thc Star Spangled Banner and you
can go to theatre anywhere in Eu.
rope and not be compelled to listen
to any eulogfcss on America
Last fall We were so popular, or
seemed to he. That was choking
with pride all the time. Now | have
no throat trouble of that kind.
Probably this is just as well for us
rs we might have become conceit-
cd and self-giorlfying nation IL the
early enthusiasm had been kept to a
steady pressure.
No doubt all of this was to be ex-
pectcd in the light OF history. No ma
ton ever went into great and cost
~ war with so little selfshness in
purpose as the United States. No ma
ton ever came out Of a victorious |
war, as ours has come, and had moth
ing to ask for herself. Perhaps the |
people of Europe are tired of us as |
were the old Greeks who voted to /
Danish Socrates because the public |
got to praising him. There is lot |
in this phase Of human nature and it |
may be one of the reasons why our
"disinterested unselfishness" is no |
longer mentioned in the newspapers |
or referred to in conversation.
One of the secretaries told me that I
after the 35th division left its winter
resort, the town crier went along the
street with his drum and announced /
to the citizens the departure OF the
Amrican army, following 1t with an
order that prices must now be reduc-
ed one-third.
No doubt this reaction will stop /
and perhaps our old friends will once
more tell us of their love. But it
will not be until the peace treaty is
in operation and probably not until
the loans come due.