New-York tribune., 1920-06-20
Country Reacts Quickly TO
the Party's Declaration
of Foreign Policy, but
No Surprise Is Shown
Mandates Become Joke
Spirit of Nationalism Is
More Dominant Since
the Chicago Convention
By Arthur S. Draper
rom Tho Tnoune's European Bureaa


ration Of foreign policy. Rightly or
wrongly, most Europeans have come 20
the conclusion that the Republicans III
tend to hold aloof, and as they also be-
lieye that Senator Warren G.. Harding
Will be the next President, they are
scurrying around to meet the new sit
uation.
At the beginning of the week London
newspapers published long editorials
declaring the League of Nations to be
dead. The French, who find themselves
ut variance with this view. ask the Brit
ish many questions and, never very
sympathetic with the league ideal, ARE
looking to America for some form of
alliance agreement which will help
them as world power to stop the
Germans, who believed membership in
tho league would hasten their eco
nomic recovery, but find little encour-
agement in that direction.
The league has had a bad setback,
but 1t is too early to write its obituary.
II he Times" is more accurate when
it says the league is q nursing child
enemies are feeding with strong meat.
What is perfectly obvious to any Eu
ropean observer is that the spirit of
nationalism is dominant o-day 1t was
strong before the Chicago convention,
but 1t is more powerful now. Had
America decided to cooperate in Euro
pean affairs, a different situation might
have existed to-day, but even that is
matter of opinion.
Imperialism Admitted
The mandates have become Joke
during the week, there being debate
in Parliament over the bill to give
England, Australia and New Zealand
a monopoly of the phosphate exports
from Naura. little former German
island south of the Equator. The
House of Commons approved the meas
urc, but the debate disclosed the fact
that the minority considered the bill
tou.ed the league and made sham Of
the principal mandatories. 1t was clear
thai 1t was case Of imperialism, and
those supporting the bill frankly ad-
mltted It.
| cite this instance merely to show
that the spirit of nationalism is dom-
nant. The British are spending MILL
ions in Mesopotamia to conquer the
Arab tribes and make their country a
down the mandate for Armenia, and
nobody else wanted it, because any
protection given to Armenians means
expenditure of much money and per-
haps many lives. and there is no fnan-
cial benefit to the protecting power
In this Eight all that is said about
determination, etc, sounds fright
fully mercenary, but that is the situa-
ton to-day. Take the case of Persia.
The Persian government asked the
league to intervene after the Bolshevik
invasion. Almost Immediately the
French press began to ridicule the ap-
peal. on the ground that Persia was
not a member OF the league, as the
Anglo-P Persian agreement had not been
communicated TO the league. This
placed the British in an unhappy posi-
ton. but put the league in even
worse light. Before the council Of the
league had met the Persians had opened
negotiations with the Bolsheviki, and
an agreement is now being made. All
the league could DO was to express its
approval.
Relations with Russia
Then came the contemplated trip TO
Russia by league commission. Months
were wasted in correspondence and
finally the plan was dropped. Mean
L
tiations with the Soviet government.
One week ago Earl Curzon, as a mem
Der of the British Cabinet, shook
hands with Gregory Krassin, the Boil
shevik emissary, and the next week
the British Minister, sitting in the
counsel Of the league, expressed regret
that the commission was not welcome
In Russia.
One section OF the French press
exults over the successes Of the ma
tionalists under Mustapha Kemal and
the French troops sent to replace the
British troops, who were withdrawn.
The Turkish treaty was stillborn The
French, British and italians are at
odds in the Near East and the league
is too feeble to help matters
Americas attitude toward European
affairs Is a disappointment to most
British, but they are not surprised or
caught unawares. 1t would have been
real surprise II tho Republican plat
form had declared FOR strong foreign
policy. Some Britons think America
will eventually play big part In
Europe, but few believe now that tina.
time will come FOR many years.
Fox many reasons the British are fol-
lowing the American election cam
paign with special interest. The fact
that Ambassador John W. Davis has
been mentioned frequently as a Demo-
cratic possibility is responsible for
much OF the interest. Naturally Mr
Davis has given expression to his
views ou international politics only in
broad. general way. but he has said
enough to leave the impression that
he is mild reservationist supporter
OF tho League OF Nations.
1t Is violating no condolences to say
that he believes the war made many
profound changes In the international
situation and that the world demands
progressive reform. If tho Ambassa-
dor had any influence in drafting the
Democratic platform, II is certain that
he would insist on a clear-cut declara-
tion with regard TO Americas partici-
patton, with provision for Americas
Constitutional independence guaran-
teed lie is man of considerable in
dependence and strong views Hs has
no expectation OF being the cholce OF
his party. but If he is nominated he
woulp have much to say about for
s.Zn relations.
The Ambassador bclieyea that the
Republicans will be compelled before
The campaign is very far advanced TO
nahc Il clearer declaration Of their
policy than that contained in their
p!atforn.
Notaing has been rnore satisfactory
% TIC British than tho refusal Of the
Republican, 70 refer TO ireland in
their platform. The Sinn fGiners are
disappolatcd, but they certainly are