Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-05-03
j. s. CAN HOLD Up
GERMAN INVASION;
GUARANTEE REQUIRED
BY WILLIAM BIRD.
Ueased Wire Service to The Journal.)
(ConVriPEt. 1921


PARIS, April 30.-World Arbiter
Wilson has been superseded by World
Arbiter Harding That is the plain
situation as recognized by those Eu-
ropeans with vision clear enough to
see through the wells of hesitation
and uncertainty with which interna-
tional relations are shrouded at this
critical hour. 1t is realized that the
re-entry Of America into world coun-
ellis means that the United States
must henceforth assume the leader
ship, with whatever profit and re-
sponsibilities that position entails,
Stubborn nationalists of all coun-
tries, perhaps especially those OF
France, may insist that their course
is not to be swayed by Washington
but from the moment secretary
Hughes said in his note to Germany
the United States is anxious to see
negotiations resumed" and promised
to examine new German proposals.
Washington instantly became the SUI
preme court of world opinion.
Nobody, of course, supposes that
President Harding desires to assume
an arbitrary role; indeed, he mas hlih-
self disclaimed such an ambition, out
the cold fact is, and wise Europeans
perceive It, that with America over
Whelming economic power ana pOsl-
ton as creditor to all of the other
principal nations, the least mint IroIii
Washington must be more influential
than the most formal declarations
from any other capital. Added 10
this is the tremendous prestige tnat
the mere name America carries
with the masses of the people OF eV-
cry European country.
1t is a curious fact thaC aHlons
the extreme socialists, America en-
lows peculiar immunity. During the
last few days the socialist and COM
munist press of the principal couh-
tries nas freely discussed the re-
sumption of internatlona1l nurdens 4y
the United States. Although thls
press is hostile to all capitalist gov
ernmentS, it frankly regards Amerl-
can intervention as gain tof the
cause of peace. 1t must be remem-
bered that socialism has gained many
adherents in Europe through the OPP
position of all these new Warllke
manifestations. In fact there are
MANY people processing socialism IN
Europe today who disagree totally
with the socialist theory, but are un-
able to find any other powerful party,
taking an uncompromlSlng Stanu
against renewed warfare.
In all these circumstances, there-
fore the evident distaste OF the
American government for the propOs-
ed Ruhr occupation plan, may have
a profound effect. A milder tone al
ready is apparent in Paris. while
London quite frankly is in opposl-
ton to the move which only a week
ago it seemed to approve.
But it should be plainly under
stood that France has. got to. have
guarantees. If persuaded by Amerl-
ca to abandon the sterile venture de-
manded by the hot heads, France
must receive in exchange some as
surance of American support in eX-
acting payment by other means:
Otherwise, the BRAND ministry will
be left without leg to stand on, ana
will have to give way to Poincare
and the extreme reactionists and an
nexationists.
Evidences have accumulated mere
that Secretary Hughes understands
this and the belief is current in in
formed quarters that during the
present London conference American
influence will be brought to bear in
favor of a sane, peaceful settlement.
Such an intervention might raise eX-
tremist protests in both France and
Germany, but if it contains elements
of fairness and practicability, it will
receive wide popular support in both
countries.