The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1921-03-25
U. S. NOT SEEKING ENEMIES

Washington, March 22.-"The sus-
tanned attempt to inveigle the United
States into the chickering's of the Old
World have taken new turn" de-
clares the Republican Publicity as
ISOLATION, through its president, Hon.
Jonathan Bourne, Jr. ut is sug-
gested that America assume the role
of arbitrator in the situation that has
presented itself between Germany
and the Allies over the question OF
reparations and the resultant occupa-
ton Of German territory. Just why
the United States should undertake
such a delicate mission is not appa-
rent from the point of view of its
own welfare. Whatever judgment
might be rendered, a host of new
enemies to America would spring up.
The decision would necessarily be a
compromises retreat to some ex-
tent from the demands that the
Allies have steadfastly adhered to.
Allied feeling against America would
be in proportion to the extent of that
abandonment of the principles for
which their representatives have
fought. Again, the compromise
would put upon Germany obligations
in excess of the maximum sum she
has indicated her ability to pay.
Hence an American decision, should
it be made, would be denounced by
Germany as well as by the Allies.
"But why is it matter for arbi-
tration at all? There was war
Germany was vanquished; practically
she surrendered Internationally. The
Allies are the victors. They are en-
gagged in the business of debating
terms of peace to the losers. The
United States has no interest in those
terms so long as they do not interfere
with American rights; in fact, so fal
as those terms are concerned, thu
United States is in the position of ;
neutral. 1t is new suggestion II
international relations that neutra
nation should take any part in thu
preparation of peace terms resulting
from a war that has been fought tt
a decision.
"But suppose, for the sake of ar
gument, that a question exists that i
suitable for arbitration. There is tn
League of Nations, and all the ma
chinery of the international cour
that we were told some months ag'
had been set up? Now is the tim'
for the league and court to asser
their excuse for existence. But o
course it is silly to expect either on
of those organizations to take
single step Of its own volition. The,
are energized into action only whel
the Big Three or Four press the but
ton. And apparently it suits the in
terests Of those powers first to at
tempt to entangle the United State
in their troubles.
Arbitration has seductiv
sound. Ordinarily it connotes peace
an avoidance of conflict, and the dii
fusion of brotherly love among a
concerned. But the part the Unite
States is to be asked to play, accord
ing to reports, is no true arbitration
Nominally it may be such, but reall
it's acceptance would involve tn
country anew in all the strife
Europe from which, at the preser
moment, we are happily free. w
seek no part in directing the dest
MES Of the Old World. We do M
mean to be entangled.'
Those were the words Of Pres
dent Harding when he assumed offic
and their sentiment should be
rigidly adhered to in the face OF q
insidious invitation to 'arbitrate' as
was followed by the senate in rejec
ing the covenant Of the League
Nations"
Isnnwren