The Ocala banner., 1921-12-09
THE MADNESS or FRANCE

for Germany, while it is in no sense
unnatural, is proving serious OBJ
stacle to the success of the conference
Of powers now sitting in Washington.
1t is a great pity that the country
that was most heroic and self-sacrific-
ing in the long and fearful struggle
to rid the world of militarism should
adopt course that would defeat the
very end that she and her allies fought
to achieve. The attitude of France
with respect to the proposed .limita-
tion of World ornaments is discourag-
ing to those who have hoped that
some tangible good might come out
of the. arms conference. She takes
the militaristic and quite untenable
attitude that, while other nations may
limit their ornaments IL they wish,
she shall do nothing of the kind-at
least not to any appreciable extent
She conjures up a ridiculous vision of
seven million armed Germans swoop-
ing down upon her frontiers and con-
tends that she must have a vast army
in readiness to meet them. This is q
most unfortunate state of mind. It
if far more hurtful to France than to
any other nation concerned, and if
persisted in until it brings an abor-
tive end to the conference it will, in
all probability, mean the ultimate ruin
of France. Already there have been
words and gestures of impatience
here and elsewhere. On last Thurs
day Lord Curzon, the British foreign
minister, publicly expressed his views
on the French attitude both as to the
proposed limitation of armament and
to the situation in the Near East. 1t
was frank criticism and warning.
Peace will never, be achieved, .
said Lord Curzon, if any one power
tries to steal march on another and
conclude an arrangement on its own
account"
! The foreign minister bluntly re-
minded France that her safety lay
not in her own strength, but in the
confidence of the world, says Lon
don dispatch, and he cautioned France
that she could not succeed by a
revengeful policy toward Germany
or be permitted by isolated action to
Illustrate the work of the nations at
Washington.
The speech, which occupied only
half an hour in delivery, but was
filled with striking matter, was re-
markable for the expressed determi-
nation to bring Germany into the
comfy of nations and for it's enunci-
alton of Great Britain's duty in the
new world which succeeded the war
Abiding to the new struggling ma
tions which have arisen from the
ashes of Germany, Austria and Tur-
key, Lord Curzon said:
well, as one of the great powers,
are largely responsible for the crea-
tion of these new nations. Therefore,
it devolves upon us to do our best
to curb their rivalry, help their pro-
gress and make them instruments not
of renewed disturbance and warfare,
but of future peace
The real strength and protection
of France does not consist in the
strength of her arms, potent as they
are. 1t does not consist in the mex
haustible spirit of her people, 1t doe
not consist even in the justice of hel
cause
1T consists inethe fact that tile
conscience of the world and the COM
bined physical forces of the world
and in that l. include the great pew
ers of Europe and America-will not
tolerate the temperance in the heart
of Europe of a great and dangerous
power that was always rafting its
sword in the scabbard as a menace
to the peace of the world.
I'VE shall convert Germany into a
peaceful member of the international
court of Europe only if the great
powers combine not merely to enforce
the treaty, but to make it clear that
no policy of retaliation or revenge will
be tolerated by them, and that they
will assist Germany to play her part,
provided she shows sincerity and good
faith.
1T is no use reducing ornaments
at sea if we are still to contemplate
the piling up the accumulation of vast
ornaments on land.
d AN example must not be set by
one nation only, or even by two or
three. 1t must be followed in pro-
portion to their position and their
ability by all 1t is not for Great Britain
to accept or submit to sacrifices while
others pass them by"
Another great Englishmen, H. G..
Wells, who is reporting the proceed
ings of the conference for several
leading newspapers and is privileged
to write as he thinks, without diplo-
matte restraint, is quite bitter. His
article Sunday morning was pessimis-
tic and, in it's reference to France,