Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-05-22

Stdn correspondent OF Evening Publtr
Ledger " Switzerland
Copyright. 1920, bv Public Ledger Co.
Geneva. May 90.
THE unparalleled moral and material
prestige which America enjoyed in
Europe after Germany's surrender has
almost vanished in the course Of the
long, frutless conflict between Presi-
dent Wilson and the Senate over the
peace treaty. It has given place TO uni
versal disillusionment, to widespread
distrust. and even to downright hatred.
This fact is bitterly recognized By
most American residents in Europe at
the present time. 1t, is fact the
American people cannot afford to ignore,
for apart from all sentimental consider
ations, and entirely setting aside the
vcxpd question whether the United
States is we'll or i'll advised in isolat-
ing itself politically from Europe. the
present violent reaction of European
feeling against America is certain, in
the long run. to affect vital American
economic and commercial interests.
Distrust of Americas foreign policy
is aIready' merging into doubt of Amer
lean business integrity, and even Of tho
stability of American finance-and this
in spite of the fact that the greater part
of Europe is ruined and the United
States grown rich beyond the dreams
of avarice.
Detractors Of America Active
I have cndcavored to make an i'm
partial investigation Of the causes and
manifestations of this anti American
sentiment in Europe. Some Of tho az.
cusations leveled against America are
unfortunately justified, others ar" not.
In many cases they are an express
sion of natural disappointment on the
part of sincere admirers of America :;
often they are rooted in incOrrigible
misconceptions Of American life and
character, and sometimes they certainly
reflect the vcnomous animositv of in
vetcrate foes and dctractors Of Amer.
lean ideals and institutions.
In general, the anti American feeling
prevailing in Europe today proceeds
from the belief that America prevented
Europe from making the old kind of
peace winch the European diplomats
might have made-possibly with small
mprovements-if they had been left to
themselves while on the other hand
America refused to indorsP the prin
ciples it imposed. which refusal, coupled
with the duplicity of European diplo-
macy, frustrated the conclusion Of n
peace really based on new ideals Of
brotherhood and good will
Thus, both the believers in old
fashioned secret diplomacy and tho
idealists wLo expected to be delivered
out of its tolls feel they have bitter
grievances against America and .thC
American people, between whose atti-
tude and the personality of President
Wilson they are unable to make clear
distinction.
Distrust Lodge Reservations
Most Europeans are still in a mist
about the Lodge reservations and deep.
Iy distrustful of their purpose, although
tboir leading statesmen have long been
ready to agree to them, and those who
do understand cannot comprehend why
President Wilson will not sanction
What Europe is resigned to accept.
Furopean public opinion. particular
10 in the Allied countries, holds Amer
ica largely responsible for tho present
state Of national and social chaos in the
Old World. This chaotic situation is
attributed n not 50 Hu'n w llP ld't tnHt
ance .boncd for American financial aid
Is m not forthcoming-Europcans are
daily growing more rSeGHcil'% pHSy I to the
10 sb;ft for themselves-but rather to
two :" fundamental causCs-to the awak-
enns Of exsgseTatstdl hopes and d,1 %1spr
a;onaIitics. among the liberated as well
os Tho yanouishcd peoples, by Ameri.
cas- of and the to rTbo'nr bo Of
Sei, ohosement of the peace by America S
It is felt that there can be no real
OF hmss;ca's .aS.n's participation in It. A peace peace
not sanctioned by Americana matter
for what reasons-cannot compel the
its terms will never be fulfilled by them
without continual military pressure In /.
yolying grave peril Of new wars.
Although intelligent Europeans rec.