Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-10-23

One of these has to do with the fu-
ture relations between the old and the
new worlds. In seeking a basis OF
durable peace in the past, the United
States claims the honor of represent
ing not only North America, but tacitly
South America. Both have the same
problems concerning navigation, trade
and races. Washington's past policy
interests more or less directly all OF
the American republics.
/ lived long enough in America to
realize that POLITICAL formulas in your
country are subordinated to practical
realities. more than elsewhere. Yet
despite the long controversies concern
ing it, the Monroe doctrine is still an
active force. However, there is not
always agreement as to its interpreta-
ton. When Roosevelt summarized it
as speak softly. but carry big stick. .
he was not unanimously applauded.
Nevertheless. in Europe and the rest
of the world. the essentials of the doc
trlne have never been question.
Great Britain will also have at
Washington guiding doctrine of more
recent origin. but which she has been
zealously developing during the last
few months. 1t is the empire doc
trlne. Formerly the empire was an
implement of domination. Today it is
a federation. The empire conference
IN London this summer gave definite
form to imperial relationship.
At the Paris meeting of the allied
supreme council in August, Mr.. LLOYD
George carefully stated that he had
mandate to speak in the name of the
British dominions-not a mandate by
divine right. but with the express con-
sent and after thorough discussions
with the dominions concerning common
interests.
Great Britain has not formulated any
organic credo comparable to the Mon
roe doctrine. but nevertheless it rep
resents grouping of peoples bound
together by common interest in sea
power. The old slogan. Britannia
rules the waves" has disappeared. but
everybody seems to admit that every
maritime problem is by definition a
British problem.
The European continent also has
SPECIAL common interests which. though
doubtless reconcilahle with the interests
pi maritime powers. nevertheless are
special, as the war proved l regret to
say that despite this. the continent
Will present divided front at the con-
terence. For two years now. France
should have been preparing to organ
re and consolidate these interests. But
neither Millerand nor BRAND even at.
..empted it. The peoples which suf
tered at the hands of Germany and
AUSTRIA surely have common interests
,hleh would have been easy to discover.
Iher agreement on certain difinite
principles would immeasurably strength
IN European peace
Moreover. neither Great Britain nor
he United States could take the slight
st umbrage at such an agreement for
would have peace as its object and
'eace is the object of the Washington
.onferencee
u would have been a splendid thinr
I Europe had realized such an orrnni.
alton before. the conference. How
yer. regrets won't help now. The
'est one can hope is for the adoption
Il such plan in sthe future.
me which dominates nil tbe reef Wsba.
$ to become eff that mass Of nnre.t
eaehlng from the Rhine to the Pa.
iflc. including an unrepentant Car
many. a bolshevik Dictatorship. and
shlnese anarchy: The conference So
atlnns vii! be fragile and precarious
hundred millions between the Rhine
ma the Pacific threaten those demo
fatie nations who SO recently saved
heir liberty from an aggressor.
The public is Unaffected about the
rogrnm OF the Washington conference.
like to hope that each nation viii
ring carefully thought out plan. not
'niy giving comprehensive view of
interests ut stake but full technical
ata. onr Anglo Saxon friends. thanks.
Q their geographical situation. have a
ommon lack Of deep concern over land
questions which sense had
Weakening in continental peoples by
nng and bitter experience. These are
he interests which France ought to h.,
repaired now TO represent on behalf al
II Europe if she is to take her proper
lace at the conference.
Let's hope that she will. but lacking
we can do nothing but
ope. Many Frenchmen do not think
hat is enough.