Evening star., 1921-04-05
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Marylanf1 and VirginfS.
The More Important Decision.

Needed and satisfactory though the
Hughes note to Berlin is, serving as
st does written notice upon Germany
that there exists no vesnge of founda-
ton for her insulting belief that we
propose to stand behind her efforts to
escape engagements justly imposed
and solemnly undertaken at Versailles,
it cannot be acclaimed as an advance
toward the solution of the problem of
our immediate and future relationship
toward the world II is a statement
of facts which no nation save Ger
many could ever have doubted. At best
1t can merely serve. while We seek
to solve the most urgent problem to-
day before the nation to facilitate the
task of the allies as they endeavor to
work out without us the future of Eu-
rope. Our own problem. the problem
incident to determining our position
in the world equation, has not been
solved.
Since official evidence is claimed to
Indicate that the administration pro-
poses to urge the passage of the Knox
resolution declaring the establishment
OF peace between this country and
Germany sentiment here is divided
es toward the resolution in question
There are those who hold that its pas
sage would be a wise and expedient
step. removing the United States from
the difficult and embarrassing position
in which it today finds itself as re-
suit of the treaty wrangle. There are
others to whom the proposal to enter
into a separate peace with Germany
would seem to involve dishOnor to us
through the betrayal of our allies
and this at the price of considerable
tangible loss unto ourselves.
Yet. irrespective of which viewpoint
is correct, the fact remains that,
should the Knox resolution be passed
1t, like the Hughes note. would fail
to advance us on the road we must
state Of peace with Germany. 1t
Knight, and its principal danger lies in
tthat fact, postpone the time when we
should have to reach our. more i'm
portant decision. But it can never
excessively delimit the position Of the
United States toward the balance Of
the world nor record the fact as to
what part we propose to play in shap-
ing the destinies of civilization.
1t is for that delimitation and that
recording that the world is waiting to-
day. Such anxiety is not hattering to
the United States, connoting as it does
the dread lest we decide to stand aloof
and bid the balance of civilization
shift for itself. Yet all things considered
1t is not unnatural The task before
humanity has Joined the balance Of
the world in earnest mutual effort
The United States. alone Of all the con-
siderable powers. is not OF that union
its present and future status-is alone
unknown. And because. that fact in
wolves so serious an obstacle to their
effort, the other nations. and ma jor-
ity of Americans. pray for an early
decision.
To reach that decisiops to resolve
to precisely what extent the United
States admits responsibility to
humanity at large, and to register that
resolution so that all may know ex-
aaxly how and where we stand is. the
first and main duty of large Importance
to be performed by the Harding ad-
ministration. May 1t be earnestly and
wisely and quickly performed /
May we have done with a condition
of affairs humiliating to us and dis
tracing to others and with frankness
make known unto all concerned the
best or the worst. .-.