The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-10

France Is i'll ui- formed about American policy, just as America is i'll informed of French policy. The decision of great ques- tions during the past two years has been dominated by home policies and consequently have not been greatly clarified. However, French opinion gradually realized that the United { States some day would proclaim peace with Germany Moreover, it was realized that such an action would merely be the beginning and not the ending.
 May Differ Here.
 do not know if the interpretation adopted in France would be adjuGged correct in Ameica, but I think 1t worth while to state it. Two hy- potheses are envisaged here. Either the United States, following intima tions by President Harding and Sec retary Hughes, must ratify the treaty of Versailles with reservations, or make with Germany separate treaty of peace
 In the first case. the French. won der. in view of the previous dead lock- how long the debate on ratifi- cation would last in the Senate. Tn the second case we cannot conceive how the United States can overcome the political, economical and juridi- cal difficulties of separate treaties with all she European nations and with Japan.
 We may be mistaken, but as the new epoch of tremendous importance in interest relations opens il seesns necessary to define our point of view concerning the re-establishment of peace.
 The republican administra fion at Washington several times has de- all rights accruing from her position In the war. But these rights are nec- essarily defined in contracts. No contract being in validity exists, ex- cept the Versailles treaty. More over, it seems clear the United States has never denied that the Versailles teraty gives it certain rights and claims. The League of Nations idea seems definitely rejected, so far as America is concerned. Therefore while the treaty gives certain rights. the United States prefers to express In it's own way its obligations to the world.
 Simplest Solution
 On this understanding I think l can say French opinion believes the simplest solution would be the ratf- Shcation of the treaty with such reser- vations as the United States deems necessary and which the other na- tions would accept.
 In the case of separate treaties of peace, it is harder to suggest . method. For example, on the ques- ton of the German ships seized in American ports, it would be neces- nary first to have treaty with Ger many recognizing this seizure, ana becondly to have a series of treaties with the allied countries sanction Ing the allotment of these 60O,00l tons of shipping to America.
 The same procedure would be necessary concerning all other quea- lions and. in the end. after long negotiations. the result, it wouIc peem, would be identical with erati- tying the Versailles treaty with reser- vations.
 So much for the material aspect of the matter If I may say a word on the moral side, France frankly eonfesses she would greatly perfel ratification with reservations As have often said. we think Germany. many repudiations of obligations under the treaty have been caused largely Dy the real or apparent al visions among the allies. Therefore 1t is certain that American ratifi cation even with extensive reserva lions would effectively quiet Ger 0any's hopes and ambitions to esca pc View of Frenchmen Such is the view of the immens, &atority of Frenchmen. Ambassado Mallace's farewell speech. besreak 6g the warm friendship of the whol, American people. if followed b, Separate negotiations, would brini great disappointment.
 The London agreement with tn Germans has not brought a singl, Told mark into our treasury. German anachfnations in Silesia have culml nated in the assassination of Frencl officer. I have information which will disclose later about pro-Ger man activities in the orient and b. the Greek Queen and her court. France will courageously overeom oll her difficulties. but wants to fee oehind her in form as well as fac i the strong Friendships on which sh has been accustomed to rely. Sh believes that America, like all grca dsInocrAcies, must decide. her ow' l policy, but she sees no contradictio! Ifsbctwesn the general principles an epuncsd by the American govern
 tNnt and her own aspirations. Sk
 eres only that the question b led on it's own merits withoo or personal prejudices witt amon interest of constructiv