Evening star., 1921-01-19
EUROPE W|LLNOT
!, GIVE Up LEAGUE
T0MEETU. S.PLAN
Ready for Concessions, But
Oppose Substitution by
Another 'Association."
GREAT BRITAIN FIRM
FOR SUCCESS OF BODY

France SCOTS, But Great Leaders
Nevertheless Want Treaty Pre-
served Intact as Possible.
BY PAUL SCOTT MOWRER.
By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News.
Copyright. 1921.
PARIS. January 19.-In view of the
recurring reports from the United States
that the leaders of the incoming admin
tstration still cling to the idea that they
may possibly substitute another associa-
ton of nations for the existing league
the writer thought it important to bring
together in a single dispatch the points
OF view of the principal European pow
erS in this regard. The resultant testi-
mony indicates that while Britain,
France and Italy are eager to have the
United States join the present league.
and are ready to make large concessions
to humor American sentiment. not one is
disposed to surrender the league alto
gether- in favor Of some American SUBJ
etitute.
View OF EnKIand
The only great European state which
approves OF the American proposal is
Germany. The country which has
worked hardest for the league up to the
present time 10 undoubtedly Britain. Aft
or a careful investigation Edward Price
Bell, London correspondent Of The Star
and Chicago Daily News, wires me as
follows:
british statesmen and the British
public are determined to do their ut
most to make the league a success.
Every one Of moment in this country
from the king down is of resolute mind
on this subject. Difficulties. instead of
diScouraging, inspire British in this en-
terprse as in others. They are far keen
er on the league now than ever before.
'The temporary absence of the United
States from the league has spurred the
leaders and peoples of Britain to q
frmer will about the matter. They have
been Immensely heartened by the ex-
traordinary devotion Of the small nations
to the league. believing that neither the
moral nor the physical Significance Of
this can fail to impress the world.
Want Safeguard for Peace.
There is nothing hidebound about
the British conception OF the league
formula The Britons are not seeking
to establish a particular program. but
to safeguard the peace OF the world.
They will welcome any American in.
will even do their beSt to meet it,
but they will not abandon the plan.
even II the United States stands aloof.
Britain. like the rest Of the world.
waits upon the United States. When
the the United it states ate spsass Britain nd ana
to grapple with the problem Is 1t
then stands. They will motor GER
tainly Britain will not-surrender the
league project without ~ hard light
as 1t can put up =
The cornerstone Of the French
foreign policy is that the treaty of
Versailles must be preserved AZ near
1y intact as possible. The French are
a critical-minded race and they some
times enjoy scoffing at the league just
stftutions. but the vast majority of
Frenchmen. including such leaders as
President Millerand. Raymond Poin-
care, Rene Viviani and Premier
BRAND. all agree that whatever may
seem TO be the faults of the league
disastrous, for it is SO closely inter-
woven with the treaty that to destroy
the league would threaten the
destruction of the treaty as well.
Ready for Concessions.
They are eager to have the United
States join and are desirous Of maxi
ing every possible concession to her.
this or that particular. but they will
not give up the league altogether, and
they regard the idea of attempting to
substitute another association for the
league as chimericaL So far as l
know the only people in France who
want the United States to stay out Of
the league are small group of grim
reactionaries, who hope thus to profit
by the bad blood which they think
would inevitably be created between
Britain within the league and the
United States outside 1t.
Viewpoint OF Italy.
Regarding the Italian point of view,
Edgar Ansel Mowrer. the Rome corre-
spondent OF The Star and Chicago
Daily News. telegraphs:
'"rhe Italians are too much attach
ed sentimentally and Realistically to
some kind Of an international organ
ization which shall eventually take
some Of the harshness from interna-
tional relations for the government
to relinQuish the present league fol
anything else unless this other can
CLEARLY be proved to be better. And
better in this case means more prac-
tical. more sincere and more univer-
sal. Italians believe that no success
is possible for the league until all
nations are admitted on an equal
footing. especially Russia and Ger.
many. President Harding might win
Italy's support for new organiza.
tion IL he could show that it filled
these conditions. In all other circum.
stances Italy would prefer and would
use her influence to have the United
states Join the present league"
Finally. George Witte, the BerliI
correspondent OF The Star and Chi
cago Daily News. telegraphs:
THE German attitude now is tha
It is undesirable for this country t.
join the league In its present form
FOR Germany fears that she would b.
disseminated against in a league IL
which Britain and France. particu
larly the former. hold a controlling
number of votes. II the United Statel
ioined. then doubtless Germany woult
also want to join. A year ago there
WAS q strong movement here in favor
Of Joining the league just as sooI
as the United States Joined. but nov
il is felt that as the United States ap
parently does not intend to take par
in IL there is no sense in German!
taking part either. The question O.
Britain's multiple vote and the alb
sfention of the United States have re
suited in the people here assuming
a rather naughty air and saying: W.
must receive q very nice invitation
indeed, before we will ever join Mr
HardinRs plan to form an entirel!
new league is generally hailed In Ger
many as the best solution OF tn
problem"
nnIl0l EnlIMn mean