El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-01-10
BRITAIN IS SLOW
To GENSURE
j. s. NOW
Europe Discovers direct
Persuasion" Will Not
Move America.
ENGLAND HANDLES
NATION WITH CARE

[ 7 ONDON. Eng, Jan. IL England,
/ l. its press and public men. show a
belated but nevertheless, solid reali-
zation OF the unwisdom OF attempt
( ing direct persuasion Of America on
such subjects as the league Of nations,
the peace treaty and the proposed
mandate for Turkey.
4 few months ago every move IN
the peace treaty was followed By i'm
mediate and fulsome comment and
opinion in the editorial columns, and
by prououncements by public men.
Today Paris and London and Rome
and Berlin still consider Il open sea-
son for comment and word wars when
any emergency or shifting OF the
pawns OF peace give cause. But
y hen some new move is made IN the
sage comes from the white house
there is a visible, almost audible
pause before any opinions are ven
tUred on the subject
Has Broken Bonds.
America has broken bounds. and
nobody on this side OF the water Is
sure just how extensive the break IS.
Certain American correspondents
writing for the British press reassure
John Bull and tell him that the
Certain prominent Americans here on
official and seml-official business
tell similar story. But these state
ments 1al TO carry binding conTic-
ton 10 the experts OF the written
word who are lodged in various sane
tums along Fleet street They also
fail OF complete conviction with most
Of the prominent occupants Of offices
along Whitehall
Both the editor and the official
r.nHn Ham III
Buchan sized up the situation cor
rectly when he spoke at an American
Correspondents luncheon Buchan
referred 10 the biblical analysis OF
the three kinds OF mem
The one who says Il EcH and
-oethf the one Who says Il Eos
and Eoeth not. and. finally. the
one who says Il EOeth not but
ultimately Eoeth.
The last he declared. was a Scotch
trait. and IN America today this Scotch
trait Is dominating.
Both the editor ana me official
would like 20 believe that America Is
merely displaying a bit OF Scctch
caution and stubbornness. but neitNer
can convince himself entirely OF this
So comment on America languishe g.
Public comment on Americas now,
or refusal 20 move, on the peace
question, the league and the mandate,
has not entirely ceased Of course. but
and 20 Is interlarded with cautiously
Yvorded reservations II the senate
makes some big move today, Il may
be day after tomorrow instead OF to-
morrow. before any real comment ap-
pears in the press Heads get to-
gether. evidently. and there are con-
ferences and careful supervision Of
ideas
The comment. when Il appears.
a. much more likely today 20
recognize Americas right TO her
own opinion than a WIS SIX or
eight months aEo.
The people who deal IN that Tola- I
tile commodity, public opinion. have 3
become very cautious as regards ]
America They have lost the knack. I
for the moment. Of estimating ths I
probable reaction IN the states. Of any I
eiven line Of comment here. and for ]
the most part they are inclined 20 I
venture nothing that might BY any I
ucssfb1e chance prove a BOOMERANG /
As in the days before We entered I
The war. America IS Englands great 4
question mark In those days Eng 3
land came after our good viii and /
sought our Salvation openly and /
with columns OF snace and hours Of I
public speaking. Today. undoubtedly q
her battle 10 rewin America IS stil 4
being waEed. but the publicity side I
81 the evanC eiistfc work has slipped
Z coz She has lost the pulse beat Of (
American opinion. and until she re-
gains IL editors and public men show
4 desire to proceed slowly and with D
exceeding care