The Washington herald., 1921-04-01
Viviani's. Mission to Win
Americas Support for
Pressure on Huns.
PLANS FIRM POLICY
ON RHINE BY MAY 4
Separate Peace Proposed
Here May Menace AL
lies, Simonds Believes
nx FRANK II. sIMoNDs.

Ine LARGER PHASES Oh tHc NlNidhi
mission. But with the former
French premier in Washington and
the conversations with our State
Department already begun. there is
a precise and specific circumstance
which calls for brief comment. In
addition to all other questions of
high policy. M. yiviani has come
here to inquire as to American pol
icy and purpose with respect to the
German situation.
Despite all optimistic and eu-
phemistic language the solemn fact
is that Europe remains at war. Not
only is a real war taking place be-
tween Greek and Turk, not only
are there disorders in Germany and
gathering signs of a new Bolshev-
ist offensive. but. the situation be-
tween France and Germany is more
acute than anything that has ex-
listed since the close of hostilities in
the world war and within a very
short time action must follow.
Purpose of yiviani.
What NJ. Viviani must want to
know, beyond all else, is what the
United States will think officially.
what 1t may do officially, II French
troops proceed, as they are almost
bound to- proceed now. to occupy
very large areas Of Germany and to
seek that form of reparation which
seems alone possible, namely the
levying of contributions. the seizure
of such wealth as Is movable.
do not think the supremely crit
ical condition of affairs in Europe
has yet been generally accepted in
the United States. We are now, as
We were in 1914. measurably de-
ceived by the long series of crises
which Gil the history from the
armistice of RethoBdes to the re-
cent conference of London. In 1914
NTwsz inpo5-
.sible because war. had been ayoid-
ed despite many "incidents" in re-
cent years Today a European coll
lapse seems unlikely. II only be-
cause it has been falsely forecast so
frequently in past months.
Awakening seems at Hand.
But in 1921 as in 1914 a terrible
awakening seems at hand. Unless
between now and May 1 there shall
be a total change in German pol
icy and in German method. the date
which sees the end of the first
period in the application of the
treaty of Versailles, will be marked
by drastic action on the part of
France supported at least in some
measure by Italy, Britain and Bel
gium. We shall see a resumption
of the invasion of Germany by
great armies. commanded by the
brilliant generals of the last period
of che war, by Degoutte, by Mangin.
by Debeney.
Now NJ. viviani would like to
know. every Frenchman would like
to know whether the United States,
in this new situation, will stand
with her recent associates or un-
dertAke the role of champion of
Germany. Unquestionably just as
long as Germany suspects that the
United States will look with disap-
provai upon allied action. she will
continue to invite that action by
refusing to meet allied demands or
comply with the requirements of
the treaty of Versailles. She has
already succeeded in getting billions
deducted from the bill delivered at
Paris in 1919. she hopes to escape
from other billions now. T----
In q degree we are now just
where we were between 1914 and
1917 in the world war. President
Harding and his advisers will de-
eide whether they intend to stand
with their associates of the war,
whether they intend to stand by the
signatures of their representatives
ne Paris, not to the league of ma
tions detail. but to the German
aspect Of the treaty of Versailles;
whether they intend to remain neu-
tral. or whether they contemplate
changing position and supporting
Germany In her resistance TO the
nations she has plundered and de-
vastated.
Critical for Gernany.
II We stand with our allies of
the past; II President Harding or
Secretary Hughes in a frank state
ment indicates that the United
States has no Intention Of doing
anything affrmatively to assist the
Germans against our friends of yes
terday; that the United States be-
lieyes that Germany was respon-
sible for the war and Is bound
to pay. something may be done
to prevent the new war. because
Germany may be driven by this
show of solidarity between America
and Germany's .conquerors to back
down from her present defiant at
tude. But, by contrast. II Germany
does not, such an American utter<
ance will certainly remove the last
obstacle to French action and the
action win come swiftly ana strike
hard
On the other hand, IL America
noncommittal. but leaves
NJ viviani to understand that we
shall do nothing to help. eyea by
words. and nothing to hinder. either
by word or deed. the action will
come with almost equal swjftness
on the French side. but may lose
something Of its force. since, our
neutrality would certainly encour-
age British opposition to- speedy
and drastic action
shall not canvass the conse-
zuences of support OF Germany. be-
cause / am satisfied that this ties