Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-03-20
H00Uer's Americanism and
Democracy Us. Petty Politics


Democracy Us. Petty Politics.
rF there be those who ask evidence of Her
bert Hoovers stalwart Americanism, of
his foresight and grasp of world prob
lens, of his drastic independence of foreign
+ influence, his keen solicitude for his own
&, country's well-being, and his constructive at
-titude toward the Representations issue as
it stands at this critical juncture, let them
read his lately disclosed letter written to
President Wilson nearly year ago and his
statement apropos of the recent publication
of that most interesting document.
Certain politicians, either in malice or mis-
information, have sought to create an i'm
preston that Mr.. Hoover was overweeningly
pro-British. But it is obvious from this let
ter of his, which he never dreamed would see
the light of publicity, that his affections are
tied to no flag but the Stars and Stripes and
that of all Americans who participated in the
affairs of the peace conference, none was less
likely than he to play, even unwittingly, the
hand of Great Britain or of any other for
eign power. 1t was in April, 1919, long be-
fore the presidential campaign was being dis
cussed, be it remembered, that the commune
). cation to the President, setting forth Mr..
s Hoovers views on peace problems as they
then obtained, was written. Bear in mind,
moreover, that after all those months the
letter was published without his knowledge
or consent, and apparently, too, without that
of the White House. It thus serves as an
absolutely non-political and trustworthy reve-
lation of Mr.. Hoover's thought on the great
questions at issue. He was writing, it has
well been remarked, solely for the eye of his
commander in chief.
Hence the peculiar forcefulness of his con-
tention that the United States in order to
play its proper part in an international league
eff rio ~ E1,rop
5 Asiatic politics, for without this detachment
said he, the league would become merely "a
few neutrals gyrating around armed al
lance" Again he declared in conveying his
views to the President, possibly at the lat
ter'S request:
II am convinced that there has grown
up since the armistice the policy, per-
haps unconscious. but nevertheless eff
fective, of dragging the United States
into every political and economic ques-
ton in Europe and constantly endeavor-
ing to secure pledges of economic and po-
l1tlcal support from us in return
for our agreeing to matters which we
consider for their common good, where
we have no interest, and constantly
using us stalking horse economically !
and politically solely in the interests of
internal political groups within the allied
governments These detectives and in
terests may be perfectly justified from
their point of view, but it forces us into
violations of every instinct and into
situations that our own people will never
stand for"
This, it should be noted, is not the surmise
of long-distance onlooker, but the mature
conclusion of a participant In the action it.
self, the judgment of one highly experienced
in international business and diligently seek.
ing to save his country from unnecessary and
unwise entanglements.
By no means is it to be inferred that Her
bort Hoover was then or is now opposed tt
League of Nations. On the contrary, thai
noble enterprise has found no more earnest
= OF steadfast friend. Nor could there be bet
r. ter proof Of his present loyalty to the League
idea, freed from the partisanship and pride
Of opinion which unhappily has encountered
it, than his statement of Thursday, touching
this very question Regardless of what an.
OF us think should have been the provisions o
either the League or the Treaty." he says
"Ne and the world should be kept waiting
NO longer for settlement" That is to say
the great matters of international readjust
ment with their vital bearing on business
stability and human welfare, should not b.
made the pawn of partisan political cam
paigr, but should be disposed of as prompt.
and completely as they can he by concilator.
. and constructive action on the Treaty O
Peace. This is not partisan attitude, blu
it is a statesmanly attitude, and it is tn
only attitude tndC Will Dr1ng OrQor out OIL
r. present chaos and conserve the vast inter
ests at stake. 1.-THE whole process of peace
Mr.. Hoover continues, sis one of comprO
misses, and so long the final form gives u
freedom of action and room for constructiv
development of peace, believe it should b
Z accepted" Was American common sens
ever applied more aptiy to troublous issue
Was the mind of the thinking rank an
r. file ever more tersely expressed? Finally
declares this business-minded humanitarian
"The reservations should satisfy the
most timid as to entanglements and, de-
spite the feeling of the president and his
associates that the strength of the league
is somewhat undermined, I believe that
they should also accept 1 do not be-
80 lieve that the reservations destroy the
possibility of the creation of potent
organization to mitigate the dangers in
front of us and the alternatives are
continuation of our state of war for an
other year or the unthinkable thing for
us-to make a separate peace after we
have gone so far to agree to its main
lines with our comrades In arms
~ This proposal does not suit, we dare sa.