Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-05-20
CROSS PURPOSES.
That the

That there is a very decided difference between the
French and the British point Of view with reference to
the settlement Of European affairs has been evident for
some time. And there have been several occasions, the
present being one of them, on which the friendly rela-
tons between the two countries were placed under con-
adorable strain. The difficulties involved in the Siles1an
question are admittedly great. Leaders Of French thought
favor settlement along certain lines. British leaders favor
settlement ON a different basis. Interchanges on the sub
3ect have been sharp, and under some circumstances
they might be considered menacing. The world cannot
afford to admit that there is any menace. A break in the
friendship. and cooperation of these great powers is I'M
thinkable. The difficulties which present themselves will
yield to treatment by able and conscientious men who real
he their responsibilities, and on no other basis can the
Stts Of friction. which develop from time to time be re-
Earded. 10
At . distance Of three thousand miles We can wrap
ourselves up in insuarity and say that the controversy is
10 AFFAIR Of ours. We may 90 farther, and offer the virtuous
suggestion to France and Great Britain that it is none
Of their affair either. Why not let silesians and Poles
andsGermans settle their own affairs in their own way,
and keep hands of?
America is keeping out Of the controversy, but France
and Britain have some rather intimate interests on the
continent. France occupies a position in which she is
certain to be about the first and the heaviest sufferer
from any considerable European war; and any real war
in Europe is certain to be a considerable one. France
has twice been brought to the point of extinction by an
armed and. militant Germany. Is it to be wondered at
that she proposes now, while she has the power, to in
sure herself against a repetition of her experience? Great
Britain too, has suffered greatly, but her position is a
little more detached, and it is probably easier for Eng
lishmen than for Frenchmen to distinguish clearly the
limits beyond which it is contrary to the true interests
of all nations, these two included, to press Germany. 1t
is undoubtedly due to the persistence cf France that Ger
many has been brought at last to accept without question
the final terms laid down by the Allies. France may have
stood for conditions which the Germans could not fulfill.
Great Britain may have been willing to accept too little.
But a balance has been reached, and Germany has ac-
cepted h e.terms and declared that she will fulfill them.
As in the case of the reparations, SO it must be in
Silcsia. Both nations rest their demands on the YER
sailes treaty. Both demand that its terms be met. The
rest must be a matter OF detail which can and will be ar
ranged. "
While the leaders in the respective countries are try
ing to reach a basis of agreement it is easy for people
in France, in Great Britain. and in America to agitate
and criticize. 1t will be more serviceable to humanity to
emphasize agreements than disasrecments and thus to
make the work Of agreement easier.