Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-03-29
TURNING POINT FOR
WORLD PEACE IS
NEAR IN EUROPE
BY WILLIAM BIRD.
Special Gable to The Atlanta Journal
Copyright, 1921

tCOpyrlght, l92I,)
PARIS, March 26.-There are
manifold evidences that European
statesmen and leaders of public opin-
ion realize that the world is at the
turning point on the path to peace
and that single false step may lead
to disaster.
Peace, with Russia, already is in
plain sight. Lloyd George. the Brit
ish prime minister, admits for the
first time that his commercial agree
ment is a de factO recognition of the
Soviet government and goes further
to declare that the Russian govern
ment in practice has abandoned the
principles Of socialism.
Even French opinion accepts this
statement with but a mild protest
and obviously is preparing itself to
be persuaded that Lenine has become
sufficiently bourgeoise to warrant
recognition. 1t is unqueStionably
place in Soviet practices, but they
have been gradual and have covered
a long period Of evolution.
The abrupt change Of heart is in
The western countries which have
tired of waiting for peace until boil
shevism should be overthrown. II
other words, Mohamet goes to the
UNI dlI.
Lloyd George reveals the real rea-
son, for this abrupt change when he
declares that socialism has become a
serious menace in Great Britain, JUS
tifying the continuance of the coali-
ton. The need for a united front
against an outside enemy was the
origin Of a coalition and now it is
declared there is the same need Of a
united front against an internal enc
my. England and other western ma
tons must make peace abroad in Or
der to concentrate their strength
against the menace within.
French Position.
France rapidly is getting into the
same position. F'renChmen daily are
becoming more and more convinced
that the German indemnity is a de-
fusion and when it is officially stat
ed in the senate finance committee
that without the indemnity France
is bankrupt, the only possible result
is a deep and widespread apprehen-
sion. France begins to realize she
must withdraw into her own bound
aries and make peace with Russia
and in the Orient in order to con-
serve her strength, first, for a decis-
i've struggle with recalcitrant Ger
many and next with hte Socialists
who are waiting to assume the re-
ownership in the event Of failure.
Where is American in all this?
Will the new administration at
Washington take the turning which
leads to Cancellation, or the one lead
ing to continued disorder and ulti-
mate revolution? Europe awaits only
sign from Washington to make a
decision.
Reputable economists agree that
Europe, united is solvent; Europe,
divided by war and distrust, is ruin
ed. Unfortunately, every motive the
allies made toward coercing Germany
only STILES trade, reducing Germany's
paying power and increasing unem-
pIoyment in the allied countries.
In the face of this crisis the po-
countries may be summarized thus:
England-Lloyd George is plan
ming to transform the present liberal
conservative coalition into a strong,
new conservative party which would
attract to it all voters opposed to
extreme socialism. To this END he is
attempting to eliminate foreign is
sues on which British liberals are
now divided.
France-The necessity of concen-
trating all possible strength on col
lecting the German indemnity de-
mands the rapid conciIiation of Rus
STA and hasty peace in the near east.
Socialism is not menace at the
moment. Frances chief difficulty IS
fiscal, resulting from the political
particularly on peasant proprietors.
Resources Strong.
With only a half million persons
paying direct taxes, it is obvious
that France is far from having eX-
hausted her resources. But an effort
to tax the peasants if Germany
should fail to pay, would threaten,
and might cause revolt,
Economically able to
contribute much toward European
restoration, but refusing to be coerc-
ed. German industry has billions
of capital staked on world peace,
the only condition which will bring
prosperity and will readily pay large
sums for the privilege of trading
Coercive measures, however, only
strengthen the sterile parties of re-
action and revenge.
If the French and German reac-
tionaries were working hand In hand,
they could not better promote eaCf
others game than they are now DO
ing.
liberals Of both countries are look
ing to America for support. The rea!
issue is not between France ana
Germany, but between reaction and
progress.