The Washington herald., 1921-01-28
"Aloofness" of America
Proves a Disquiet-
ing Factor.
UNABLE TO AGREE
ON GERMAN DEBT
Harding's Advent in Pow
er May Presage Revision
Of the Treaty.
By CARL W. ACKERMAN.
Special Gable Dispatch to
The Washington Herald.


Geddes British Ambassador to the
United States, arrived in Paris just
as the members of the allied su-
preme council began to realize their
situation, over which they have no
more power than maniquins. The
first OF these is Americas aloofness
and the uncertainty Of what the
Harding administration will do. The
second is the inability of the French
and English statesmen to agree on
the most vital questions which are
demanding solution, and the thiru
Is the economic and industrial diff
culties which today are so mani
fold, universal, complex and un-
solvable that they master interna-
tional politics, finance and business.
1t Is the old story of the lion and
the mouse. The facts and problems
which the world faces today are as
powerful as the lion, and the states
men are as powerless as the mouse
under the lions paw. France,
which was the first to suffer from
the war, realizes more keenly per-
haps than the other countries, Eu-
ropes loss in Americas detachment
from European affairs. The British
know-but do not like to admit
the great. almost dominant, infiu-
encs which the United States has
today in world affairs, despite its
isolation.
Eager to Discuss L. :. Policy.
France admits it, and Is eager to
discuss questions arising from the
non-rstification by America of the
Versailles treaty. Premier BRAND
again proposed to Lloyd George that
this conference discuss what atti-
tude the Supreme Council should
take toward the next administration
at Washington.
France admits that America to-
day holds the balance OF power and
can dictate peace terms to the
world IL America wishes to be the
dictator. Lloyd George perhaps
realizes ii, but will not acknowl-
edge it.
source that Lloyd George told
Premier BRAND he was perfectly
willing to discuss revision of the
Versailles treaty or the American
reservations with the Harding ad-
ministration, but believes it mad
visable for the allies to discuss such
eventualities until aHrding an
nounces his Secretary of State and
until the Harding government first
puts forward its foreign policy and
the terms upon which America will
participate in world affairs. From
Sir Auckland Geddes, Lloyd George
is obtaining first hand information
about America and whether this
conference discusses Europe's re-
lationship to America depends to a
considerable degree upon the am
bassador's reports.
British Members Discouraged.
Three days ago the British dele
cation came here hopeful and op-
timistiC. Today, when inter-
viewed members of the delegation,
they were disappointed and discour-
aged When the French minister
Of finance this morning made a
passionate appeal to the council for
a $500, 100000 sterling payment by
Germany he asked: shall France
die that Germany may live?"
Lloyd George replied that he was
as anxious as France that Ger
many should pay for the war but
that the total amount of the in
demnity should be fixed and the
payments made now, and be based
upon what Germany could pay, not
upon the dreams of what Germany
is expected to pay.
The British charge that the rea-
son the indemnity sUestion is so
difficult is because the French gov
ernment will not tell the truth to
the French people, that the govern
that Germany cannot pay what the
people expect
At one of the press conferences,
a British official was asked: What
will happen to Europe If Germany
does not pay?" He answered, II
would refer that question to Presi-
dent Wilson. l see he knows more
about Europe than anyone else. 1
see he says we should keep our
hands of Russia"
How Europe Views Wilson.
That reply shows how much re-
spect they have for president Will
son over here today.
The same official in discussing the
naval question said: Germany has
any either IL it were not for Amer
ica." :
BEFORE Austria's terrible plight,
Americas aloofness, Germany's pro-
crastination. British domestic poll
tics and unemployment and the re-
fusaI of any French government to
admit that Germany cannot pay the
amount Of reparations the public
demands. the fear and suspicion
which exists mong all nations this
nesce conference is like a reed in
= cyclone. The crisis today is great
or today than in 1917 and again
Europe looks to America because
washington is "the center of grav-
ity."
There are many proposals being
discussed privately between the
chiefs Of the allied countries but
so far they have taken no definite
form
II may be stated that If Harding
calls a conference at Washington
after his inauguration, II will be
vrtthin his power to make that the
anal peace conference. If he calls
= conference on armaments, the al
IissI will empower their ENJOYS to-
discuss fun terms Of a new peace
settlement.
Harding can really make peace.
(cspyrisHt. 1881, Public Ledger ce.)