The Washington herald., 1921-03-13
Need Of U. s. Commission
To Study DANGEROUS
Drift Seen.
NATIONAL PASSION
DOMINATES LANDS
Each Country Strives
Now Solely for Own
Ambitions.
By ARTHUR 5. DRAPER.


LONDON. March 12-In the lighi
Of decisions reached during a series
Of conferences here in the last fort
night there is every reason why the
Harding government should send a
commission to study and report on
European Affairs as they affect
American interests. Kaleidoscope
changes have taken place since Will
son affixed his signature to the
treaty of Versailles, which he and
millions OF others thought would
form the basis of a plan for reor-
ganizing world relations.
After two years of bargaining,
compromising. and negotiating in
secret. the situation in Europe is
actually more unsettled than 1t was
at the start.
The supreme council, despite its
declarations OF unity. is no longer
working as one. The league OF ma
tions has lost what little vitality 1t
nad tt the outset.
Back Before War.
All this means that Europe has
gone back to prewar days-to the
time when nationaiism was the
dominating motive. What little In
ternationalism exists today is con-
fined almost exclusively to the la I:
movement. and. because of the gen.
erai fear of Bolshevism il Is under
suspicion. Over here there Is con-
siderable criticism of American
aloofness. but Il is case of the
pot calling the kettle black.
The trend of most European ma
tions is in the same direction.
Teamwork is disappearing. and
each country is working for its own
glory. and eventually that must
lead to aioofness. European politics
10 a hopeless muddle. For proof OF
this It IL only Necessary to point
to tho inability Of various govern
ments-Ebert. Giolotti. BRAND. and
even Lloyd George lack the sup
port and security of Harding. The
weakness Of their domestic position
compeis these leaders to take a
short-sighted view Of international
questions and to make decisions
calculated to tide them over tenn.
porarily. Nationalism and opportu.
nism are the keynotes OF the pres
ent situation. Idealism has dropped
to zero. and materialism is rising
steadily.
stiu Need Europe.
1t Is small wonder that Americans
are loathe to accept European en-
tanglements. but nevertheless we
will still need Europe and have
heavy responsibilities here. All hope
for a new era of International rela-
tions has practically disappeared.
There is probably more idealism in
Washington today than In Paris,
Londan and Berlin.
An American commission can find
plainly of confirmation Of these
statements. and II would be we'll
sonal observation that the Wilson
era has passed. The new question
being asked here is: where are we
going to stopT' 1t is asked by those
in Dusseldorf, in Dublin and in on
don. Uncertainty is causing worry,
not only in Downing street but in
Toronto, Cairo and Sydney.
Trade Review.
Trade revival Is long overdue and
a feeling of depression seems to
exist in many quarters. Loss of
confidence In European statesman
ship is chiefly responsible for the
series Of labor success in by elec-
tions.
Lloyd George is moving toward a
political fight which is inevitable.
as dissatisfaction with his policies
Increases. For years the premier has
enjoyed remarkable power, largely
because Of his ability to compro-
mise, and to bridge the gulf divid-
ing factions. He was always able to
take advantage of differences be-
tween his opponents. but now he is
on one side, and the rest are united
against him. A general election is
considered q certainty this year, al
though the government was elected
less than thirty months ago for a
period of FIVE years.
Americas interest in Europe is
now largely Of a material nature
a matter of commerce-but trade
and politics are now so entagled
that 1t Is hoped that Elihu Root or
some other skilled observer win
head a mission Of inspection this
summer.
(cspyrirh.. lsai. Hsw York Tribune, Ina,
Z