The Washington herald., 1921-05-29
French Fear of Germany World Menace,
Blocking Reconciliation, Says Gibbs

that makes us differ from her. but
love of France, or. IL they will not
believe that, though 1t is true with
some of us. then let me say that II
is the fear of another monstrous
war which would bring US all into
the abyss.
There are other instincts at work
in British minds at variance with
those in French minds. Our knowl-
edge of arithmetic seems to tell US
that new German prosperity would
mean new prosperity TO all of US.
because she can't pay or buy IL she
Is kept poor. The French knowi-
edge of arithmetic disputes that
conclusion.
Again there is the old tradition in
the Engliss code that one must not
kick ones enemy when he is down.
The French think that that is just
the time to kick him. 1t is, indeed.
better logic. though not so chivsl-
rous, but, of course, they have no
good cause for chivalry toward the
Germans.
Differences of Blood.
1t is necessary to admit that We
are not hereditary enemies of Ger
as inc AhoN ouE
soil was not ravaged as Frances
was, that between our blood and
German blood there is not that Ta-
cial. ineradicable. molecular differ
ence which is founded between
French and German blood. Celtic
and Teutonic. so that never in the
future of the world, though IL lasts
million years, will there be owe
between them.
Those differences enable us TO
deal with Germany in a more tu-
dicious and generous way than the
French ctuld be asked or expected
to do. Yet those are minor consid-
erations. The big difference broad
ly separating. us in policy and ac-
tions is the growing belief in the
minds of the British people that not
by a regrouping of powers or by
putting a strangle-hold on German
industry, but by a new spirit of
conciliation among people, gradual
disarmament all around and a COM
plete new structure of information
al relations may the peace OF Eu-
rope be assured.
That is the hope of the new de-
mocracy in many nations. 1t is the
OI anu TedlltlS,
intellectuals and labor leaders. So
ciety sentimentalists and tub
humping orators in the back
streets. 1t is preached by parsons
and liberal politicians. It Is talk
ed in the third-class carriages of
every railway train. and it is the
only foreign policy known to any
hard-working woman who had a
son in the war and a mangle in the
back kitchen.
Hope Despite Harvey.
1t is still the ideal upheld by the
league of nations working Quietly
and zealously with its apparent
failure and obvious weakness, but
never falling to hope in spite of
the Knockout blow delivered by
George Harvey, American ambassa-
dor at the court of St. James.
Abandonment by the United States
of the baby whose parenthood un-
doubtedly entities IL to American
citizenship was rude shock to
many enthusiasts, and one from
which they have not recovered. 1t
was also heavy slap in the face of
one small prophet-namely, myself
who ventured to suggest that the
time would come, as the old melo-
dramas used to say, when under an
other name with a somewhat differ
ent form, an association of peoples
would find representative of the
United States at the high table.
Well, the blow was softened by
all the friendly words of the am
bassador to England and by the
closer cooperation OF America in
the work Of the supreme council.
What Is most remarkable, as show
ing the trend of English thought. is
the tremendous growth of the
league of nations union during the
year. That union is to support and
spread the idea of league OF ma
tions and there are now 100000 peo-
pie In England as active propagan-
dists.
Conhiet Of Ideals.
Whatever the success or failure
of the league may be. and certainly
without the United States. its pos
sibilities are much restricted, IL is
clear that there is steady current
of opinion In England steering for
new international ideas Those
ideas are utterly in conflict with
French opportunities. The French
are determined to jump on the body
Of Germany. disember that body IL
possible and keep 1t bled white.
Is there any chance at all for
reconciling those differences of
mentality?
There is. I think. just this chance.
II Germany 10 guaranteed fair play
in Silesia by Great Britain and she
prevents invasion OF the Ruhr by